Verses for Introspection

Maa Gurupriya

Verse No. 3 (4 Jun 2009)

 

 

     


        

  
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keyūrāṇi na bhūṣayanti puruṣaṁ hārā na candrojjvalāḥ

na snānaṁ na vilepanaṁ na kusumaṁ nālaṅkṛtā mūrdhajāḥ |
vāṇyekā samalaṅkaroti puruṣaṁ yā saṁskṛtā dhāryate
kṣīyante khalu bhūṣaṇāni satataṁ vāgbhūṣaṇaṁ bhūṣaṇam ||

- $īti Śatakam

Translation:

Bracelets do not decorate a person, nor do necklaces glittering like the moon, nor bath, nor
smearing the body with fragrance, nor flowers, and nor decorated hair. Only that speech
embellishes a person, which has been upheld with cultural refinement. Indeed, all ornaments
decay. Ornament of speech is always the real ornament.

Points for Introspection:

What is the use of having ornaments and garlands in the body by which one feels that he is
looking good? If one’s speech is not consoling and soothing, but is hurting and agitating to
others, what is the use of physical ornamental decoration? Although decoration of the body
means ornamenting it with costly jewels and garlands, that decoration is not the true
decoration. Moreover such decorations are ever decaying and do not last to make the person
beautiful. What is true decoration then? True decoration is in the mind which is imbued with
good values and virtues, like love, sympathy, sacrifice and compassion. The expression of
these virtues is speech which bestows peace and joy to the listeners. This is the true
decoration anyone must aspire to have.
Chanting this shloka again and again one will get rid of the pride and possessiveness that one
may have about one’s valuable ornaments, and the mind will dwell upon cultivating
culturally refined speech.

© Narayanashrama Tapovanam, 2009

Word Meaning:

 

 
(keyūrāṇi) – bracelets worn in the upper arm;  (na) – not;
 (bhūṣayanti) –

  (puruṣaṁ) – person;  (hārāḥ) – garlands, necklaces; 

adorn; 
(na) – not;

 (candrojjvalāḥ) – shining like the moon;  (na) – not;   (snānaṁ) – bath; 
(na) – not;    
  (vilepanaṁ) – smearing with fragrant oils;  (na) – not;

(kusumaṁ) – flower;  (na) – not; 2
"  #  (mūrdhajāḥ) –
(alaṅkṛtāḥ) – decorated; 

hair; ( (vāṇī) – speech; 3
 (ekā) – alone;  (samalaṅkaroti) – highly

  (puruṣaṁ) – person;  (yā) – which; %&

decorates, embellishes; 
  (saṁskṛtā) –
#  (dhāryate) – (is held or) is upheld; '(  (kṣīyante) –
cultured and refined language; 


decay; )* (khalu) – indeed, verily;
 (bhūṣaṇāni) – ornaments;  - (satatam) –

always; 
- (vāk) – speech;


 -(bhūṣaṇam) – ornament, decoration;

 -(bhūṣaṇam)
– ornament, decoration;

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Narayanashrama Tapovanam
Venginissery, P.O. Paralam, Trichur, Kerala, India
http://www.brahmavidya.org