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Dr. Gujar Brothers

"When Not Doing is Better than Doing?"

अव्याकरणमधीतं भिन्नद्रोण्या तरंगिणी तरणम् ।

भेषजमपथ्यसहितं त्रयमिदमकृतं वरं न कृतम् ॥


Word to Word Meaning:

अव्याकरणमधीतम्:

  • अव्याकरणम् (avyākaraṇam) = without proper grammar

  • अधीतम् (adhītam) = studied or learned

भिन्नद्रोण्या:

  • भिन्न (bhinna) = broken

  • द्रोण्या (droṇyā) = in a vessel or boat

तरंगिणी तरणम्:

  • तरंगिणी (taraṅgiṇī) = river or waves

  • तरणम् (taraṇam) = swimming or crossing

भेषजम् अपथ्यसहितम्:

  • भेषजम् (bheṣajam) = medicine

  • अपथ्यसहितम् (apathyasahitam) = accompanied with incompatible or harmful food

त्रयम् इदम्:

  • त्रयम् (trayam) = these three

  • इदम् (idam) = these

    Translation: These three

अकृतं वरं न कृतम्:

  • अकृतम् (akṛtam) = not done

  • वरम् (varam) = better

  • न कृतम् (na kṛtam) = than done


English meaning:

"Studying without proper grammar, trying to cross a river with a broken boat, and taking medicine with incompatible food — these three actions, if done incorrectly, are better left undone."

Kannada meaning:

"ಸರಿಯಾದ ವ್ಯಾಕರಣವಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಅಧ್ಯಯನ ಮಾಡುವುದು, ಮುರಿದ ದೋಣಿಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ನದಿಯನ್ನು ದಾಟಲು ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಿಸುವುದು ಮತ್ತು ಹೊಂದಿಕೆಯಾಗದ ಆಹಾರದೊಂದಿಗೆ ಔಷಧವನ್ನು ಸೇವಿಸುವುದು - ಈ ಮೂರು ಕ್ರಿಯೆಗಳನ್ನು ತಪ್ಪಾಗಿ ಮಾಡುವದಕ್ಕಿಂತ, ಅದನ್ನು ಬಿಟ್ಟುಬಿಡುವುದು ಉತ್ತಮ.

Hindi meaning:

"व्याकरण छोड़कर किया हुआ अध्ययन, टूटी हुई नाव से नदी पार करना, और नहीं खाने लायक भोजन के साथ दवाई खाना – ये सब चीजें करने से बेहतर है इन्हें न करना|"


Discussion:

1. Studying without proper grammar (अव्याकरणमधीतं)

  • Explanation: The first part of the verse highlights the futility of learning or studying a language without mastering its grammar. Grammar is the backbone of any language, giving it structure and meaning. Without a strong understanding of grammar, our communication can be flawed, misunderstood, or even meaningless.

  • Real-life relevance: In today’s context, this could apply to any field of study where foundational knowledge is skipped or ignored. For example, learning complex scientific concepts without a basic understanding of mathematics can lead to confusion. Similarly, in any profession, skipping fundamental skills and jumping ahead can result in incompetence.

2. Crossing a river in a broken boat (भिन्नद्रोण्या तरंगिणी तरणम्)

  • Explanation: This part uses a metaphor for attempting something important or dangerous (crossing a river) with insufficient or faulty tools (a broken boat). It's obvious that trying to cross a river in a broken boat would likely result in failure, if not disaster.

  • Real-life relevance: This could represent any action taken without proper preparation or resources. For instance, starting a business without sufficient planning or financial backing might end in failure. Similarly, attempting to solve complex problems in life without adequate understanding or support systems can lead to frustration and setbacks.

3. Taking medicine with harmful food (भेषजमपथ्यसहितं)

  • Explanation: The third part talks about taking medicine along with harmful or incompatible food. Medicine is supposed to heal, but if it's combined with the wrong diet, it can negate its benefits or even worsen the condition.

  • Real-life relevance: This applies not just to health, but to many areas of life where remedies or solutions are combined with actions that counteract their benefits. For example, practicing healthy habits like exercise while maintaining a poor diet is counterproductive. In relationships, trying to resolve conflicts with communication while still harboring resentment or distrust is similarly ineffective.

4. Better not done than done improperly (अकृतं वरं न कृतम्)

  • Explanation: The final line brings the three examples together with the point that it’s better to leave things undone than to do them incorrectly or half-heartedly. This is a powerful statement about quality over quantity.

  • Real-life relevance: Many times, people rush to complete tasks without ensuring they are done properly. Whether it’s in work, relationships, health, or learning, rushing through important tasks or doing them without care can cause more harm than good. This line encourages us to focus on doing things correctly, even if it takes more time or effort, because a poorly executed task can be worse than no effort at all.

Broader Implications:

This verse from Sanskrit philosophy promotes the value of thoroughness and wisdom in action. It urges us to ensure that our methods, tools, and environment are right before undertaking any serious task. This philosophy can be applied to multiple areas of life:

  1. Education and Learning: Skipping the basics or ignoring foundational knowledge might lead to misunderstandings and incomplete learning. It’s better to build a solid base than to rush through.

  2. Preparation and Resources: In work or life challenges, it’s essential to ensure that we have the proper tools, support, and readiness to succeed, rather than jumping in unprepared.

  3. Health and Wellness: Healing, whether physical or emotional, requires an integrated approach. Remedies need to be aligned with lifestyle choices.

  4. Relationships and Communication: Fixing issues in relationships requires addressing underlying behaviors, not just surface-level solutions.


Conclusion:

This verse teaches us that effort without proper guidance or correct tools is like trying to swim in a river with a broken boat – a journey toward failure. Instead, we are reminded to be thorough in our preparations, precise in our actions, and aware of how our choices interact with one another. Quality and mindfulness are key, as half-hearted or misguided efforts often result in more harm than benefit.

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