"तेजस्विनि क्षमोपेते नातिकार्कश्यमाचरेत्।
अतिनिर्मथनाद्वह्निश्चन्दनादपि जायते॥," Hitopadesha, "Mitralabha"
Word to word meaning:
तेजस्विनि (tejasvini):
तेजस् (tejasvini) - radiance, brilliance, power
Meaning: One who possesses radiance or power
क्षमोपेते (kshamopete):
क्षमा (kshama) - forgiveness, patience
उपेते (upete) - endowed with, possessing
Meaning: Endowed with forgiveness or patience
न (na):
Not
आतिकार्कश्यमाचरेत् (atikarka-shyamaacharet):
आतिकार्कश्यम् (atikarkashyam) - roughness or rudeness
आचरेत् (acharet) - one should conduct or behave
Meaning: Should not behave hostilely
अतिनिर्मथनात् (atinirmanthanat):
अति (ati) - excessive
निर्मथन (nirmanthana) - agitation, friction
Meaning: From excessive agitation or friction
वह्निः (vahnihi):
वह्नि (vahni) - fire
Meaning: Fire
चन्दनादपि (chandanad-api):
चन्दन (chandana) - sandalwood
अपि (api) - also, even
Meaning: Even from sandalwood
English meaning:
"One should not behave rudely towards a person who is radiant and forgiving. Even from sandalwood, fire can arise due to excessive friction."
Kannada meaning:
"ತೇಜಸ್ವಿ ಮತ್ತು ಕ್ಷಮೆಯುಳ್ಳ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ಅಸಭ್ಯವಾಗಿ ವರ್ತಿಸಬಾರದು. ಶ್ರೀಗಂಧದಿಂದಲೂ ಸಹ ಅತಿಯಾದ ಘರ್ಷಣೆಯಿಂದ ಬೆಂಕಿಯು ಉದ್ಭವಿಸುತ್ತದೆ ."
Hindi meaning:
"एक उज्ज्वल और क्षमाशील व्यक्ति के प्रति असभ्य व्यवहार नहीं करना चाहिए। यहां तक कि चंदन भी अत्यधिक घर्षण से आग पैदा कर सकता है।"
Discussion:
The shloka carries a profound lesson about interpersonal relationships and the consequences of our actions, especially when dealing with gentle and compassionate individuals:
Respect and Caution: It emphasizes the importance of showing respect towards people who possess qualities like brilliance (tejas) and compassion (kshama). These individuals deserve kindness and consideration in our interactions. By acknowledging and valuing their positive attributes, we not only uplift them but also create a more harmonious environment based on mutual respect.
Consequences of Provocation: The shloka warns against provoking or being rude towards such individuals. It metaphorically compares them to sandalwood, which is known for its soothing qualities. However, even sandalwood can ignite and produce fire when subjected to excessive agitation (atinirmanthanat). This analogy serves as a powerful reminder that even the most patient and gentle individuals have their limits, and pushing them beyond those limits can lead to unexpected consequences.
Additional Lesson: The shloka underscores the idea that even those who appear calm and forgiving can react strongly if pushed too far. This serves as a cautionary reminder about the potential consequences of mistreating or underestimating gentle individuals. It highlights the need for sensitivity and understanding in our interactions, recognizing that everyone, regardless of their demeanor, has their breaking point.
Universal Wisdom: Beyond its literal meaning, the shloka imparts universal wisdom about empathy, restraint, and understanding in our interactions. It encourages us to be mindful of how our words and actions can impact others, particularly those who embody positive qualities like compassion and patience. This broader perspective reminds us of the interconnectedness of humanity and the importance of cultivating empathy and compassion in all our dealings.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the shloka from the Hitopadesha offers timeless guidance on interpersonal conduct and empathy. It teaches us to treat individuals who possess qualities such as brilliance and compassion with respect and kindness. Simultaneously, it cautions against provoking or being harsh towards them, as even the gentlest individuals can react strongly if provoked. This dual message of respect and caution resonates across cultures and times, highlighting the enduring importance of empathy and restraint in fostering harmonious relationships. By internalizing these teachings, we can strive towards creating a more compassionate and understanding society where mutual respect and kindness prevail.
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