Introduction

SUBHAASHITHA is a Sanskrit word. It means, "A statement expressed beautifully and eloquently". In Sanskrit Literature, you will find hundreds and hundreds of verses with isolated ideas composed by great poets of yore. They reveal gaiety of expression and facile imagination of the poets. The topics embrace a wide variety of human experience.

There were attempts from the 10th century onwards to collect some of the best verses of different poets. Some of these works would have been lost in oblivion but for these attempts. Some of the well-known anthologies are:-

(1) S ubhaashitha Rathnaakara

(2) Chittha Vinodinee

(3) Sookthi Rathnaakara

(4) Subhaashithaavali

(5) Sadukthi Karnaamrtha

(6) Kaveendra Vachana Samuchchaya

(7) Subhaashitha Mukthaavali

It will be a worthwhile exercise to delve deep into the ocean of Sanskrit Literature to discover the wise sayings of our ancient seers. These Subhaashithas offer a whole gamut of human values and an insight into wise ways to lead a life of mature understanding. Fortunately for us, these precious gems have been preserved over the centuries for our benefit. It should be our pride to study them in order to understand their significance and pass it on the benefit to the next generation.

India's heritage of Sanskrit Literature has contributed amply to the molding of values and formation of right attitudes. The fundamental concepts of our glorious culture are embodied in the value-based literature that has been bequeathed to the succeeding generations over the centuries. Such wise sayings have been handed over to us in the form of capsules that are short and sweet.

The least we can do is to preserve this heritage of ours so that it is available to the future generations of our country so that they may also appreciate its intrinsic value. Let us not deny to our children the values inherent to Sanskrit Literature. The Sanskrit language is one of the most powerful and the most valued legacies of India. It is regarded, by experts in linguistics and philology as a perfect vehicle for communication and is exquisitely refined. In terms of grammar, phonetics and vocabulary, it is the most efficient vehicle of communication. Therefore it is not a surprise that experts who conducted a study to consider the relative suitability of different languages and scripts for use in computer programming and operation, found Sanskrit to be the most suitable language that satisfies every requirement as an optional medium for use.

The study of Sanskrit in India may diminish, but the -language is being studied in different parts of the world for its lucid expressions and rich knowledge of relative value on philosophy and scientific subjects. Sanskrit will live and flourish, if not within our country, at least in other countries. It is time we woke up to this fact. Let us not be forced to borrow it from outside one day.

I have tried to select some of the finest verses from the collections to present to the readers. In order to facilitate understanding of the meaning, I have given word by word meaning as well as a summary. It is my sincere hope that the moral, ethical and literary appeal of Subhaashithas will be appreciated by them and passed on to the youngsters; otherwise they are likely to miss once and for all an opportunity to study its treasure- house-of wise sayings, that may perhaps help to shape their lives, contributing in turn to shape the structure of the future society based on righteousness.

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