Unseen Passages

1. ‘Memorization done orally is indeed (like) croaking of frogs’, saying thus some people ridicule (it). But it is an experience that memorization done orally in the childhood is helpful even during old age. Various sciences (शास्त्रऽ) stand folding the hands (in salutation) in front of him who memorizes a lot. On the other hand, the one who doesn’t do (memorization), refers to various dictionaries for insignificant things (works). He collects references or asks some scholar. This is a waste of time. Or resorting to (his) vague knowledge he says something which is not trustworthy. A man expecting (desiring) a pearl has to go to the bottom of the ocean.
2. Many times, in transaction, man himself knows – “I am  deceived”. At that time he says – “I am a fool”. But if someone else calls him a fool, then he becomes angry. Man should know – If I get angry then I myself am my enemy. If I love , then I myself am my friend. Just by imagination, we consider other people to be (our) enemy or a friend. He who fosters my ego is my friend. He who hurts my ego is my enemy. In short my mind itself is my enemy or my friend.
3. [In the following passage only the first sentence is in past tense. It should be translated as it is] A traveler was going along a road in the afternoon during summer. There are mango trees on both the sides of the road. There he hears the chirping of birds. Sitting in the shade of the tree, being tired, he eats mango-fruits. Becoming contented, he praises the trees – “Blessed are these trees endowed with shade and leaves, from whom the travelers never go away disappointed”. The traveler resolves in mind – ‘Even I will plant trees in my house’.
4. Those students who study Sanskrit in the traditional schools should also get acquainted with the modern world. Newspapers, magazines, etc. should be read (by them) . If we do not  get acquainted with the current  progress  in the fields of science, commerce, technology, industry, etc. then we will not be able to know about the (current) place and time. We won’t be able to meet  people and speak with them.
5. Once  दुर्बुद्धि  asked सुबुद्धि who was engrossed in bliss – “What is the secret of your bliss and peace?” सुबुद्धि said, “Friend, I have four  bodyguards. First is indeed truth which always protects me from crime. Second is love; I consider all my employees as (my) sons. Third is justice which protects me from injustice. Fourth is sacrifice; it inspires me to do charity. Therefore, with the help of these, I always live happily and do  (work for )the welfare of the people”. दुर्बुद्धि fell at his feet with devotion.
6. Indian culture exists by resorting to Sanskrit language. The soul of India illumines due to culture. The revival of Sanskrit language will take place when Sanskrit will be used in the every field of the life of people. When Sanskrit language  was the  language of  interaction of India, then India got the reputation (title) as ‘Preceptor of the world’. Students used to come here from foreign countries for studying. Various sciences were taught to them  in universities like Nalanda, Takshashila, etc. For attaining the status  of ‘Preceptor of the world’ again, India must indeed adopt Sanskrit (language).
7. In southern India, there is a small island in the sea. On that island there is  the ancient city Kanyakumari being washed (cleansed) by the waves of the sea. The scene of sunrise reflected in the water of the three seas is indeed wonderful. The beauty of the sun in the order – red, yellow and white makes the viewers enchanted. Once Swami Vivekananda  seated on a huge rock in the sea  became engrossed in meditation for three days. The Vivekananda Centre has been developed on the same rock . Having arrived here, devotees make their life fruitful by  meditation  and propitiation.
8. Once a certain man went for hunting. He wandered in the forest for the whole day but did not see any animal. In the evening when he was returning home, then he saw a doe (female deer) along with a young one. That man followed her  on the horse. But that doe  disappeared somewhere. Then, having caught  her fawn, he tied it to the back of the horse. Riding the horse, having gone a little distance, the man saw that even the  female deer perplexed by her love for the young one was following the young one . He thought – “This doe  wishes to protect (her) young one without caring for (giving up the attachment for) her own life. Oh! I will not make her despondent (I will not disappoint her)” having thought thus, he released the fawn. The  female deer became delighted.
9. This is the age in which competition is preeminent. Competitions  are very much useful  for development  in life. Man treads on  the path of progress only due to competition. Indeed competitions are necessary for the development of the virtues which are most probably hidden in the children. When children participate in many competitions such as – competitions of elocution, essay-writing, drawing, debates, sports, etc. – in (their) student life, then due to these, the development of  their capabilities takes place  . Therefore, for the overall development in life, one should take part in competitions.
10. Once prince Siddhartha went to a garden for roaming. A swan wounded by an arrow was fallen on the ground. On seeing this, the heart (mind) of Siddhartha became perplexed with compassion. Running (towards the swan) , pulling the  arrow out  from the body of the swan he held it on the lap. Meanwhile, Devadatta came there running. Having seen the swan in the hand of Siddhartha, he said loudly, “Siddhartha! This swan was  hit by me with an arrow , hence give it to me” Siddhartha firmly said, “I will not give (this swan). I am its protector” Having heard the whole incident, the king  ordered  -”The swan will belong to the one ,to whom it will go.” The swan went near Siddhartha. It is true – the protector is greater than the devourer.
11. The best  gift given to the whole world by India  is indeed the treatise named Panchatantra. The scholar named Vishnu Sharma is its composer. He observed the interest of the princes. He told them stories of various animals and birds. The  technique of  ‘Enlightenment through entertainment’ became effective. The knowledge given by means of stories was grasped  by the princes without any efforts. Within a small span of time itself, those princes became proficient in  politics.
12. Once a new (young) writer came to see the very famous dramatist राम गणेश गडकरी. Having praised the poetic genius of the plays of honorable गडकरी, a lot, he said, “After reading your literature, even I wish to write something like you (your respectable one). I hope that I will get your guidance. So what should I do first?” Respectable गडकरी replied,“Think again!”
13. The kitten of the great scientist Sir Isaac Newton taught him the greatest lesson of science. When Mr. Newton became engrossed in studying in the study-room, at that time itself his dear cat wanted to enter his study-room. So Mr. Newton made two holes in the door of the study-room. The big hole was for the cat and the small hole was for the kitten. But when the cat entered the study-room through the big hole, the kitten also followed her only. Mr. Newton had forgotten the common principle of science that the smaller animal can also enter through the bigger hole. This also happens sometimes.
14. Sunita and Anita were the two daughters of Madhavadasa. The husband of Sunita was a garland-maker and the husband of Anita was a potter. Once Sunita said to her father, “Father, I wish that it should rain heavily; due to which our plants will get adequate water” Having heard that, Anita who was sitting nearby said quickly, “No no. Father! But I desire fierce sunlight (scorching heat of the sun) ; due to which our earthen pots will be safe” Having heard  the wishes of both of them, Madhavadasa said in (his) mind itself – “What shall I say here?”
15. Eight years before the experiment of Wright brothers, a successful experiment of flying an aeroplane at Girgaon seashore was carried out by a certain scientist  named  शिवकर बापूजी तळपदे , with the help of the treatise यन्त्रसर्वस्व written by the sage भारद्वाज. Honorable personalities like Barrister जयकर, his Highness  सयाजीराव गायकवाड, etc. were present at the time of the experiment. Unfortunately, this important incident was ignored. Mercury and solar energy were used as the fuel for the aeroplane by respected तळपदे . Currently NASA institute also uses the same fuel for its spacecrafts.
16. In the autobiography named ‘Wings of fire’,the former president Bharatratna Dr. Kalam , writes – “Only he is a fruitful leader who is able to bring the strong (capable) people together. He should continuously infuse fresh blood into the organization. He should be proficient in solving the problems and in bringing the new ideas into action  (or implementing new ideas). He should be able to inject  enthusiasm in his group (team). Wherever  necessary,  he should give  due credit to others . He should publicly praise them but should discuss their vices in solitude only.
17. The creepers of vegetables  like bitter-gourd, snake-gourd, etc. hang from supportive nets. Straight snake gourds are fit for sale. Hence, when snake –gourds are small, a stone is tied to one of their ends. Due to its weight, snake gourds do not become crooked (curved).  The goal that is before us does the job of that stone. Our mind which quickly gets attracted towards wrong things can always be kept on the right track by the weight of the goal.
18. The very brave  Maharana Pratap,the king of Chittod ,was fearless and generous since childhood. When he became the king, he took a vow – “As long as my country does not become independent, till then, I will not enjoy pleasures.” He was never  infatuated  by the wealth and  means of happiness  of others. His mind was always occupied with the thoughts of attaining freedom. In the battlefield even at the time of his death, he was thinking of the independence of the country. We remember that great patriot with our mind.
19. Man is always in search of happiness. Just as science is necessary for his proper development, likewise  various arts as well (are essential). Intelligence is the base of science and (its) object is conscience (discrimination between good and bad). The object of various arts is the experience of that which is sweet, beautiful, good which results in happiness. Similarly the description of that by which beastly instincts are not instigated. Hence, why don’t we achieve a balance of arts and science in our life?
20. Nowadays the ‘Sant-Gadgebaba - City- Cleanliness’ campaign is spreading everywhere. This campaign is indeed very useful. Indeed, everyone knows the importance of cleanliness. But not only the cleanliness of one’s own home but also the cleanliness of the surrounding is expected here. Friends, becoming united here, we all should become participants in this campaign and also be the ones obtaining its benefits. No change takes place in one day itself. But the cleanliness campaign adopted by various small groups (of people) everywhere will slowly become  successful.