Sanskrit Quote : Category :: Rigors of Studenthood

परुषमपि गुरूणां बुद्धिबोधार्थमुक्तं

वचनमनुसरन्याति शिष्यो महत्त्वम्।

खनितलगतरत्नं श्रेष्ठमप्यत्र शाणो-

त्कषणमधिगतं तद्भाति मौलौ नृपाणाम्।

English Translation of Sanskrit Quote:

A disciple attains prominence by carrying out the orders of his preceptors, given with the intention of illuminating his intellect- however harsh they might be. Even though a a gem found in a mine might be precious, it needs to undergo the rigors of a grindstone, before it adorns the crown of monarchs.

English Commentary on Sanskrit Quote:

Modern child-psychologists have proclaimed "Spare the rod and spoil the child", which is widely being put in to practice. However Indian thinkers had a different interpretation. Personally I think both represent two extreme views. No one would undermine the necessity of instilling discipline in the minds of youngsters when they are still still students, learning. If the western thinkers are for giving them unbridled freedom at such a young age, their Indian counterparts seem to think differently. It is interesting to note that we are apeing the west without stopping to think if it fits in our setup.

Here, the poet is aggrandizing the plus points of a bit of disciplining the students at young age. He argues that it is for his benefit that he has to be chastised. That would, in future, brings him a lot of glory. The simile is that of an uncut diamond which has to be polished before it adorns the crown of monarchs. Diamond has an innate value even at a crude, uncut and unpolished stage. It won't in any way make it inferior and useless. But the grind which the stone has to undergo before it is considered, makes a stone a diamond.

We have seen that disciplined students have reached such heights of glory which is to be envied by anyone, be it in any field. I am enamored of the beauty of this simile which brings out the intention of the poet so clearly and effortlessly.

I wish parents abroad and home will not miss the purport of this stanza and its importance.