Sanskrit Language Teaching Through Video -- Part 1

Saṁskṛt is the mother of all Indian languages.

The knowledge of the Vedas, Vedanta, Upaniśads, Purāṇas
and other scriptures are available mainly in Saṁskṛt.

The immensity of Indian culture and the vastness of its
broad-minded thoughts are the contribution of Saṁskṛt.

In today’s modern age, the importance of Saṁskṛt has been established.

Various organisations are promoting Saṁskṛt as the
main language for programming computers.

Saṁskṛt has been proven to be a scientific language.

In today’s world it is important that every Indian
acquires the knowledge of Saṁskṛt.

As we all know, Saṁskṛt is more divine
and sweeter than other languages.

This language is ancient but it is being used even today.

We can use Saṁskṛt very easily in our daily lives.

Conversing in Saṁskṛt is even more easy.

You can also use Saṁskṛt with just a little effort.

So come, let us learn Saṁskṛt together.

I extend a hearty welcome to all of you.

In any language, conversation begins with introductions.

Today we shall learn how introductions are made in Saṁskṛt.

namo namaḥ (Greetings)

sarveṣāṁ svāgataṁ. (Welcome to all)

saṁskṛtaṁ atyantaṁ saralā bhāṣā (Saṁskṛṭ is a very easy language)

saṁskṛtena saṁbhāṣaṇaṁ itopi saralaṁ (Saṁskṛṭ conversation is even easier)

vayaṁ sarve api svalpena prayatnena (All of us, with a little effort)

nitya jīvane saṁskṛtasya upayogaṁ kartuṁ śaknumaḥ (can use Saṁskṛṭ in our daily lives)

āgacchantu. (Come)

vayaṁ idānīm saṁskṛta saṁbhāṣaṇasya abhyāsaṁ kurmaḥ (Let’s practise Saṁskṛṭ conversation)

mama nāma viśvāsaḥ (my name is Viśvāsa)

bhavataḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

mama nāma udayanaḥ (my name is Udayana)

uttamaṁ (excellent)

mama nāma viśvāsaḥ (my name is Viśvāsa)

bhavataḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

mama nāma śreyaśaḥ (my name is Śreyaśa)

bhavataḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

mama nāma śaśidharaḥ (my name is Śaśidhara)

uttamaṁ (excellent)

mama nāma viśvāsaḥ (my name is Viśvāsa)

bhavatyāḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

mama nāma priyā (my name is Priyā)

bhavatyāḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

mama nāma śāntalā (my name is Śāntalā)

mama nāma śrīlakṣmīḥ (my name is Śrīlakṣmī)

bhavataḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

mama nāma sudhīraḥ (my name is Sudhīra)

mama nāma giridharaḥ (my name is Giridhara)

mama nāma praśāntaḥ (my name is Praśānta)

bhavatyāḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

mama nāma gītā (my name is Gītā)

mama nāma candrikā (my name is Candrikā)

mama nāma mahādevī (my name is Mahādevī)

bhavataḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

mama nāma mañjunātaḥ (my name is Mañjunāta)

mama nāma induśekharaḥ (my name is Induśekhara)

mama nāma yatīśaḥ (my name is Yatīśa)

utthiṣṭhatu (stand up)

pṛcchatu (ask) bhavataḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

bhavataḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

mama nāma śaśidharaḥ (my name is Śaśidhara)

bhavataḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

mama nāma udayanaḥ (my name is Udayana)

uttamaṁ (excellent)

upaviśatu (sit down)

bhavataḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

mama nāma praśāntaḥ (my name is Praśānta)

bhavataḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

mama nāma sudhīraḥ (my name is Sudhīra)

utthiṣṭhatu (stand up)

pṛcchatu (ask) bhavatyāḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

bhavatyāḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

mama nāma śrīlakṣmīḥ (my name is Śrīlakṣmī)

bhavatyāḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

mama nāma priyā (my name is Priyā)

uttamaṁ (excellent)

utthiṣṭhatu (stand up)

pṛcchatu (ask)

bhavatyāḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

mama nāma paṅkajā (my name is Paṅkajā)

bhavatyāḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

mama nāma rājalakṣmīḥ (my name is Rājalakṣmī)

bahu samīcīnaṁ )very good)

bhavataḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

mama nāma udayanaḥ (my name is Udayana)

bhavatyāḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

mama nāma priyā (my name is Priyā)

bhavataḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

mama nāma sudhīraḥ (my name is Sudhīra)

bhavatyāḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

mama nāma gītā (my name is Gītā)

bhavataḥ nāma

bhavatyāḥ nāma

utthiṣṭhatu (stand up)

pṛcchatu (ask) bhavatyāḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

bhavatyāḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

mama nāma priyā (my name is Priyā)

bhavataḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

mama nāma udayanaḥ (my name is Udayana)

uttamaṁ (excellent)

pṛcchatu (ask)

bhavatyāḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

mama nāma gītā (my name is Gītā)

bhavataḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

mama nāma sudhīraḥ (my name is Sudhīra)

uttamaṁ (excellent)

bhavataḥ nāma śaśidharaḥ (your name is Śaśidhara)

mama nāma kiṁ? (what is my name?)

bhavataḥ nāma viśvāsaḥ (your name is Viśvāsa)

mama nāma kiṁ? (what is my name?)

bhavataḥ nāma viśvāsaḥ (your name is Viśvāsa)

saṁskṛtena kathaṁ paricayaḥ karaṇīyaḥ (how to introduce in Saṁskṛta)

iti bhavantaḥ jñatavantaḥ (you have all understood)

You will have understood by now that to ask a male, we say “bhavataḥ nāma kiṁ?”.

When asking a female the same question we say “bhavatyāḥ nāma kiṁ?”

To answer this question, say “mama nāma” and your name.

Now I ask one of the men among you, “bhavataḥ nāma kiṁ?”.

Very good.

Now I ask one of the women among you, “bhavatyāḥ nāma kiṁ?”.

Very nice.

Now, we'll move ahead.

utthiṣṭhatu (stand up)

āgacchatu (come here)

utthiṣṭhatu (stand up)

āgacchatu (come here)

saḥ udayanaḥ (he is Udayana)

saḥ śaśidharaḥ (he is Śaśidhara)

saḥ kaḥ? (who is he?)

saḥ udayanaḥ (he is Udayana)

saḥ kaḥ? (who is he?)

saḥ śaśidharaḥ (he is Śaśidhara)

uttamaṁ (excellent)

abhinayaṁ kurvantu (do action). vadantu (speak).

saḥ rāmakṛṣṇaḥ (he is rāmakṛṣṇa)

saḥ kaḥ? (who is he?)

saḥ rāmakṛṣṇaḥ (he is rāmakṛṣṇa)

saḥ rājendraprasādaḥ (he is Rājendraprasāda)

saḥ kaḥ? (who is he?)

saḥ rājendraprasādaḥ (he is Rājendraprasāda)

saḥ ambeḍkaraḥ (he is Ambeḍkara)

saḥ kaḥ? (who is he?)

saḥ ambeḍkaraḥ (he is Ambeḍkara)

kaḥ ambeḍkaraḥ? (who is Ambeḍkara)

saḥ ambeḍkaraḥ (he is Ambeḍkara)

kaḥ rājendraprasādaḥ (he is Rājendraprasāda)

saḥ rājendraprasādaḥ (he is Rājendraprasāda)

uttamaṁ (excellent)

utthiṣṭhatu (stand up)

āgacchatu (come here)

bhavatyāḥ nāma kiṁ? (what is your name?)

mama nāma priyā (my name is Priyā)

sā priyā ( she is Priyā)

sā śāradā devī ( she is Śāradā devī)

sā kā? (who is she?)

sā priyā ( she is Priyā)

sā kā? (who is she?)

sā śāradā devī ( she is Śāradā devī)

kā priyā? ( who is Priyā?)

sā priyā ( she is Priyā)

kā śāradā devī? (who is Śāradā devī?)

sā śāradā devī ( she is Śāradā devī)

sā mahādevī (she is Mahādevī)

sā kā? (who is she?)

sā mahādevī (she is Mahādevī)

sā candrikā (she is Candrikā)

sā kā? (who is she?)

sā candrikā (she is Candrikā)

kā candrikā (who is Candrikā?)

sā candrikā (she is Candrikā)

tat phalaṁ (that is a fruit)

tat pustakaṁ (that is a book)

tat kṛṣṇaphalakaṁ (that is a blackboard)

tat kiṁ? (what is that?)

tat kṛṣṇaphalakaṁ (that is a blackboard)

tat kiṁ? (what is that?)

tat phalaṁ (that is a fruit)

tat kiṁ? (what is that?)

tat pustakaṁ (that is a book)

kiṁ pustakaṁ? (what is a book?)

tat pustakaṁ (that is a book)

kiṁ phalaṁ? (what is a fruit?)

tat phalaṁ (that is a fruit)

kiṁ kṛṣṇaphalakaṁ? (what is a blackboard?)

tat kṛṣṇaphalakaṁ? (that is a blackboard)

saḥ mañjunāthaḥ (he (far away) is Mañjunātha)

eṣaḥ udayanaḥ (he (close by) is Udayana)

eṣaḥ mañjunāthaḥ (he (close by) is Mañjunātha)

saḥ udayanaḥ (he (far away) is Udayana)

eṣaḥ mañjunāthaḥ (he (close by) is Mañjunātha)

saḥ udayanaḥ (he (far away) is Udayana)

saḥ yatīśaḥ (he (far away) is Yatīśa)

eṣaḥ śreyaśaḥ (he (close by) is Śreyaśa)

saḥ kaḥ? (Who is he (far away)?)

saḥ yatīśaḥ (he (far away) is Yatīśa)

eṣaḥ kaḥ? (Who is he (close by)?)

eṣaḥ śreyaśaḥ (he (close by) is Śreyaśa)

uttamaṁ (excellent)

saḥ aṁbeḍkaraḥ (he (far away) is Aṁbeḍkara)

eṣaḥ śaśidharaḥ (he (close by) is Śaśidhara)

saḥ aṁbeḍkaraḥ (he (far away) is Aṁbeḍkara)

eṣaḥ śaśidharaḥ (he (close by) is Śaśidhara)

eṣaḥ gaṇeśaḥ (he (close by) is Gaṇeśa)

eṣaḥ kaḥ? (Who is he (close by)?)

ṣaḥ gaṇeśaḥ (he (far away) is Gaṇeśa)

eṣaḥ kaḥ? (Who is he (close by)?)

ṣaḥ lāl bahādur śastrī (he (far away) is Lāl Bahādur Śastrī)

uttamaṁ (excellent)

saḥ kaḥ? (Who is he (far away)?)

eṣaḥ yatīśaḥ (he (close by) is Yatīśa)

saḥ kaḥ? (Who is he (far away)?)

eṣaḥ praśāntaḥ (he (close by) is Praśānta)

You would have understood the meaning of these words also.

For a male at a distance, we say “saḥ” and for a male close by, we say “eṣaḥ”.

sā rājalakṣmīḥ (she (far away) is Rājalakṣmī)

eṣā priyā (she (close by) is Priyā)

sā priyā (she (far away) is Priyā)

eṣā rājalakṣmīḥ (she (close by) is Rājalakṣmī)

sā śāradā devī (she (far away) is Śāradā devī)

sā kā? (Who is she (far away)?)

sā śāradā devī (she (far away) is Śāradā devī)

sā śāradā devī (she (far away) is Śāradā devī)

eṣā śāntalā (she (close by) is Śāntalā)

eṣā kā? (Who is she (close by)?)

eṣā śāntalā (she (close by) is Śāntalā)

uttamaṁ (excellent)

sā kā? (Who is she (far away)?)

eṣā paṅkajā (she (close by) is Paṅkajā)

sā kā? (Who is she (far away)?)

eṣā mahādevī (she (close by) is Mahādevī)

bahu samīcīnaṁ (very good)

For a female at a distance, we say “sā” and for a female close by, we say “eṣā”.

tat kṛṣṇaphalakaṁ (that (far away) is a blackboard)

tat kiṁ? (what is that (far away)?)

tat kṛṣṇaphalakaṁ (that (far away) is a blackboard)

tat kṛṣṇaphalakaṁ etat pustakaṁ (that (far away) is a blackboard, this (close by) is a book)

etat kṛṣṇaphalakaṁ tat pustakaṁ (this (close by) is a blackboard, that (far away) is a book)

etat puṣpaṁ (this (close by) is a flower)

etat kiṁ? (what is this (close by)?)

etat puṣpaṁ (this (close by) is a flower)

etat kiṁ? (what is this (close by)?)

etat puṣpaṁ (this (close by) is a flower)

uttamaṁ (excellent)

idānīṁ (now)

ahaṁ ekaṁ ekaṁ vastu darśayāmi (I show different items)

‘etat kiṁ?’ pṛcchāmi (asking ‘what is this?’).

uttaraṁ vadantu (speak the answer).

upanetraṁ (spectacles)

etat kiṁ? (what is this (close by)?)

tat upanetraṁ (that (far away) is spectacles)

kaṅkataṁ (comb)

etat kiṁ? (what is this (close by)?)

tat kaṅkataṁ (that (far away) is a comb)

phenakaṁ (soap)

etat kiṁ? (what is this (close by)?)

tat phenakaṁ (that (far away) is a soap)

parṇaṁ (leaf)

etat kiṁ? (what is this (close by)?)

tat parṇaṁ (that (far away) is a leaf)

In this way, for an article (neuter) at a distance, we say “tat” and for an article close by, we say “etat”.

eṣaḥ karadīpaḥ (he (close by) is a torch)

eṣaḥ kaḥ? (who is he (close by)?)

saḥ karadīpaḥ (he (far away) is a torch)

caṣkaḥ (tumbler)

eṣaḥ kaḥ? (who is he (close by)?)

saḥ caṣkaḥ (he (far away) is a tumbler)

ghaṭī (clock)

eṣā kā? (who is she (close by)?)

sā ghaṭī (she (far away) is a clock)

eṣā sarasvatī (she (close by) is sarasvatī)

eṣā kā? (who is she (close by)?)

sā sarasvatī (she (far away) is a sarasvatī)

eṣā kā? (who is she (close by)?)

sā sarasvatī (she (far away) is a sarasvatī)

idānīṁ (now)

bhavantaḥ ekaṁ ekaṁ vastu darśayātu (you all show different items)

‘etat kiṁ? etat kiṁ?’ pṛcchatu (asking ‘what is this?’). pṛcchatu (ask)

etat kiṁ?

tat yutakaṁ (that is a shirt)

etat kiṁ?

tat mukhaṁ (that is a face)

etat kiṁ?

tat dhanaṁ (that is wealth (money))

etat kiṁ?

tat kaṅkaṇaṁ (that is a bangle)

etat kiṁ?

tat tilakaṁ (that is tilak)

etat kiṁ?

tat karavastraṁ (that is a handkerchief)

etāvat paryantaṁ vayaṁ (Till now we…)

saḥ - eṣaḥ
sā – eṣā
tat – etat

eteṣāṁ śabdānāṁ abhyāsaṁ kṛtavantaḥ (these words we have learnt)

eteṣāṁ upayogaḥ kathaṁ karaṇīyaḥ (how these words are to be used)

ityapi bhavantaḥ jñātavantaḥ (this also you have all learnt)

phalaṁ (fruit)

phalaṁ asti (fruit is there)

phalaṁ nāsti (fruit is not there)

lekhanī asti (pen is there)

lekhanī nāsti (pen is not there)

caṣakaḥ asti (glass is there)

jalāṁ nāsti (there is no water)

dhanasyūtaḥ (wallet)

dhanasyūtaḥ asti (wallet is there)

dhanaṁ nāsti (there is no money)

buddhiḥ nāsti (there is no intelligence)

asti asti (there is there is)

buddhiḥ asti? (is there intelligence?)

asti (there is)

buddhiḥ asti (there is intelligence)

asti nāsti

kṛṣṇaphalakaṁ asti (there is blackboard)

pustakaṁ asti (there is a book)

kṛṣṇaphalakaṁ atra asti (blackboard is here)

pustakaṁ tatra asti (book is there)

kṛṣṇaphalakaṁ atra asti (blackboard is here)

pustakaṁ tatra asti (book is there)

pustakaṁ atra asti (book is here)

kṛṣṇaphalakaṁ tatra asti (blackboard is there)

rāmakṛṣṇaḥ tatra asti (rāmakṛṣṇa is there)

rāmakṛṣṇaḥ kutra asti? (where is rāmakṛṣṇa?)

rāmakṛṣṇaḥ tatra asti (rāmakṛṣṇa is there)

bāla gañgādhara ṭilakaḥ kutra asti? (where is bāla gañgādhara ṭilaka?)

bāla gañgādhara ṭilakaḥ tatra asti (bāla gañgādhara ṭilaka is there)

rājendra prasādaḥ kutra asti? (where is rājendra prasāda?)

rājendra prasādaḥ tatra asti (rājendra prasāda is there)

aṁbeḍkaraḥ kutra asti? (where is aṁbeḍkara?)

aṁbeḍkaraḥ tatra asti (aṁbeḍkara is there)

uttamaṁ (excellent)

āsandaḥ tatra asti (chair is there)

āsandaḥ kutra asti? (where is the chair?)

āsandaḥ tatra asti (chair is there)

sarasvatī kutra asti? (where is sarasvatī?)

sarasvatī tatra asti (sarasvatī is there)

uttamaṁ (excellent)

dinakaraḥ kutra asti? (where is dinakara?)

dinakaraḥ tatra asti (dinakara is there)

dinakaraḥ atra asti (dinakara is here)

udayanaḥ atra asti (udayana is here)

dinakaraḥ kutra asti? (where is dinakara?)

dinakaraḥ atra asti (dinakara is here)

uttamaṁ (excellent)

śreyasaḥ kutra asti? (where is Śreyasa?)

śreyasaḥ atra asti (Śreyasaḥ is here)

śāntalā kutra asti? (where is śāntalā?)

śāntalā atra asti (śāntalā is here)

candrikā kutra asti? (where is candrikā?)

candrikā atra asti (candrikā is here)

rājeśvarī kutra asti? (where is rājeśvarī?)

rājeśvarī atra asti (rājeśvarī is here)

induśekharaḥ kutra asti? (where is induśekhara?)

induśekharaḥ atra asti (induśekhara is here)

upanetraṁ kutra asti? (where is the spectacles?)

upanetraṁ atra asti (the spectacles is here)

kutra asti? (where is it?)

atra asti (here it is)

bahu samīcīnaṁ (very good)

lekhanī kutra asti? (where is the pen?)

lekhanī atra asti (the pen is here)

yutakaṁ kutra asti? (where is the shirt?

yutakaṁ atra asti (the shirt is here)

dhanaṁ kutra asti? (where is money?)

dhanaṁ atra asti (money is here)

samīcīnaṁ (good)

kaṅkaṇaṁ kutra asti? (where is the bangle?)

kaṅkaṇaṁ atra asti (the bangle is here)

kanṭhāhāraḥ kutra asti? (where is the necklace?)

kanṭhāhāraḥ atra asti (the necklace is here)

tilakaṁ kutra asti? (where is the tilaka?)

tilakaṁ atra asti (the tilaka is here)

karavastraṁ kutra asti? (where is the handkerchief?)

karavastraṁ atra asti (the handkerchief is here)

dhanasyūtaḥ kutra asti? (where is the purse?)

dhanasyūtaḥ atra asti (the purse is here)

ghaṭī kutra asti? (where is the watch?)

ghaṭī atra hasti (wrong pronunciation of ‘asti’)

ghaṭī atra asti (the watch is here)

ghaṭī kutra asti? (where is the watch?)

ghaṭī atra asti (the watch is here)

bahu samīcīnaṁ (very good)

sarasvatī tatra asti (sarasvatī is there)

javanikā (curtain)

javanikā tatra asti (the curtain is there)

javanikā kutra asti? (where is the curtain?)

javanikā tatra asti (the curtain is there)

udayanaḥ atra asti (udayana is here)

vāyuḥ sarvatra asti (air is everywhere)

vāyuḥ kutra asti? (where is air?)

vāyuḥ sarvatra asti (air is everywhere)

bhagavān sarvatra asti (God is everywhere)

bhagavān kutra asti? (where is God?)

bhagavān sarvatra asti (God is everywhere)

prakāśaḥ kutra asti? (where is light?)

prakāśaḥ sarvatra asti (light is everywhere)

ākāśaḥ kutra asti? (where is the sky?)

ākāśaḥ sarvatra asti (the sky is everywhere)

caṣakaḥ (glass)

caṣakaḥ asti (the glass is there – available)

caṣakaḥ atra asti (the glass is here)

jalaṁ nāsti (water is not there - unavailable)

jalaṁ anyatra asti (the water is elsewhere)

atra nāsti anyatra asti (not here it is elsewhere)

jalaṁ anyatra asti (the water is elsewhere)

bhavataḥ mitraṁ kutra asti? (where is your friend?)

mama mitraṁ anyatra asti (my friend is elsewhere)

bhavataḥ vāhanaṁ kutra asti? (where is your vehicle?)

mama vāhanaṁ anyatra asti (my vehicle is elsewhere)

bhavatyāḥ putrī kutra asti? (where is your daughter?)

mama putrī anyatra asti (my daughter is elsewhere)

bhavatyāḥ patiḥ kutra asti? (where is your husband?)

mama patiḥ anyatra asti (my husband is elsewhere)

bhavatyāḥ sakhī kutra asti? (where is your friend?)

mama sakhī anyatra asti (my friend is elsewhere)

uttamaṁ (excellent)

jalaṁ kutra asti? (where is the water?)

jalaṁ anyatra asti (the water is elsewhere)

puruṣāḥ (men)

puruṣāḥ ekatra upaviśanti (the men are sitting together)

mahilāḥ ekatra upaviśanti (the women are sitting together)

idānīṁ (now)

ahaṁ vadāmi (I speak)

abhinayaṁ karomi (I act)

bhavantaḥ api vadantu (you all also speak)

abhinayaṁ kurvantu (act)

atra (here)

tatra (there)

kutra? (where?)

sarvatra (everywhere)

anyatra (elsewhere)

ekatra (together)

atra – tatra
kutra? – sarvatra
anyatra – ekatra

By now we have understood these words

subhāṣitam (good counsel)

Now we will hear a ‘subhāṣita’.

‘Subhāṣita’ has a special place in Saṁskṛt literature, bearing the wise words of great men.

So listen to a ‘subhāṣita’ and try a little to understand its meaning.

saṁskṛta sāhitye subhāṣitānām nitarām vaiśiṣṭyam asti (In Saṁskṛt literature, a special endowment is the ‘subhāṣitam’)

suṣṭhu bhāṣitaṁ - subhāṣitam (wise speech - subhāṣitam)

uttamaṁ vacanam eva ‘subhāṣitam’ (subhāṣitam is only the best of words)

apāraḥ jīvanānubhavaḥ subhāṣiteṣu nihitaḥ bhavati (‘subhāṣita’ is a repository of a huge amount of life experience)

vayam idānīm ekaṁ saṁskṛta subhāṣitaṁ śṛṇumaḥ (now we shall listen to a Saṁskṛt ‘subhāṣitam’)

udyamenaiva sidhyanti kāryāṇi na manorathaiḥ

na hi suptasya siṁhasya praviśanti mukhe mṛgāḥ

vayam idānīṁ yad subhāṣitaṁ śṛutavantaḥ (the subhāṣitaṁ that we just heard)

tasya arthaḥ evam asti (its meaning is as follows)

manuṣyaḥ prayatnaṁ na karoti cet (if a person does not strive)

kimapi phalaṁ na sidhyati (he does not achieve any result)

kevalam icchāḥ santi cet (just having wishes)

kāryaṁ na sidhyati (does not complete a job)

simhaḥ atyantaṁ balavān asti (the lion is very strong)

saḥ mṛgarājaḥ asti (he is the king of animals)

tathāpi simhaḥ prayatnaṁ karoti cet eva (even then only because he strives)

āhāraṁ prāpnoti (he gets food)

mṛgaḥ āgatya svayam eva (the animal does not come by itself)

simhasya mukhe na patati (and fall into the lion’s mouth)

evameva (in this way)

prayatnaṁ na kurumaḥ cet (if we do not try)

kiñcit api phalaṁ na sidhyati (not even a little result will be obtained)

vayam api avaśyaṁ praytnaṁ kurumaḥ (we should also definitely strive)

Conclusion: by trying a person’s endeavours are successful.

Just by desiring, nothing is obtained.

Just as, however strong a lion is,

in order to fill his stomach

he has to strive.

kathā (story)

aham idānīṁ ekāṁ kathāṁ vadāmi (now I shall tell a story)

laghu kathā (small story)

saralā kathā asti (easy story)

saṁskṛtena kathā śravaṇena (by hearing a story in Saṁskrṭa)

bhāṣābhyāsaḥ śīghraṁ bhavati (the language learning happens quickly)

bhavantaḥ sāvadhānena kathāṁ śṛṇvantu (listen to the story carefully)

ekaḥ kākaḥ asti (there is a crow)

saḥ kākaḥ tṛṣitaḥ asti (that crow is thirsty)

tasya bahu pipāsā bhavati (he is very thirsty)

jalaṁ pātavyam iti icchā bhavati (I should get water – this is his desire)

kākaḥ jalasya anveṣaṇaṁ karoti (he searches for water)

atra paśyati tatra paśyati (he looks here, he looks there)

sarvatra paśyati (he looks everywhere)

kutrāpi jalaṁ nāsti (there is no water anywhere)

kākaḥ agre agre gacchati (the crow goes on and on)

dūre ekaṁ ghaṭaṁ paśyati (in the distance he sees a pot)

kākasya bahu santoṣaḥ bhavati (the crow is very happy)

saḥ ghaṭasya samīpaṁ gacchati (he goes close to the pot)

ghaṭasya upari upaviśati (sits on top of the pot)

paśyati (looks)

ghaṭe jalam asti (there is water in the pot)

kintu svalpaṁ jalam asti (but the water is very little)

kākaḥ jalaṁ pātuṁ na ṣaknoti (the crow is unable to get the water)

kiṁ karomi iti cintayati (“what shall I do?” he thinks)

saḥ kākaḥ buddhimān asti (that crow was intelligent)

saḥ anyatra gacchati (he goes elsewhere)

śilākhaṇḍam ānayati (brings pebbles)

ghaṭe pūrayati (drops in the pot)

punaḥ gacchati (goes again)

śilākhaṇḍam ānayati pūrayati (brings pebbles and drops in the pot)

evameva (in this way)

bahu vāraṁ karoti (he does a number of times)

jalam upari upari āgacchati (the water comes up)

jalaṁ bahiḥ āgacchati (the water comes out)

kākasya bahu santoṣaḥ bhavati (the crow becomes very happy)

saḥ jalaṁ pibati (he drinks the water)

ānandena jalaṁ pibati (happily drinks the water)

anantaraṁ (then / later)

tataḥ dūraṁ gacchati (goes far away from there)

kākaḥ caturaḥ asti khalu? (isn’t the crow clever indeed?)

ām caturaḥ asti (yes, he is clever)

caturaḥ kākaḥ (clever crow)