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© Narayanashrama Tapovanam, 2009

Verses for Introspection

 Maa Gurupriya 

Verse No. 3 (4 Jun 2009)

                                 

            

            

keyūrāṇi na bhūṣayanti puruṣaṁ hārā na candrojjvalāḥ

na snānaṁ na vilepanaṁ na kusumaṁ nālaṅkṛtā mūrdhajāḥ |

vāṇyekā samalaṅkaroti puruṣaṁ yā saṁskṛtā dhāryatekṣīyante khalu bhūṣaṇāni satataṁ vāgbhūṣaṇaṁ bhūṣaṇam ||

- īti Śatakam

Translation:

Bracelets do not decorate a person, nor do necklaces glittering like the moon, nor bath, nor

smearing the body with fragrance, nor flowers, and nor decorated hair. Only that speech

embellishes a person, which has been upheld with cultural refinement. Indeed, all ornaments

decay. Ornament of speech is always the real ornament.

Points for Introspection:

What is the use of having ornaments and garlands in the body by which one feels that he is

looking good? If one’s speech is not consoling and soothing, but is hurting and agitating to

others, what is the use of physical ornamental decoration? Although decoration of the body

means ornamenting it with costly jewels and garlands, that decoration is not the true

decoration. Moreover such decorations are ever decaying and do not last to make the person

 beautiful. What is true decoration then? True decoration is in the mind which is imbued withgood values and virtues, like love, sympathy, sacrifice and compassion. The expression of

these virtues is speech which bestows peace and joy to the listeners. This is the true

decoration anyone must aspire to have.

Chanting this shloka again and again one will get rid of the pride and possessiveness that one

may have about one’s valuable ornaments, and the mind will dwell upon cultivating

culturally refined speech.

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Word Meaning:

       (keyūrāṇi)  – bracelets worn in the upper arm; (na) – not;    (bhūṣayanti) –

adorn;        (puruṣaṁ) – person; (hārāḥ)   – garlands, necklaces; (na) – not;

(candrojjvalāḥ) – shining like the moon; (na) – not;    (snānaṁ) – bath;

(na) – not;       (vilepanaṁ) – smearing with fragrant oils; (na) – not;            

(kusumaṁ) – flower; (na) – not;     (alaṅkṛtāḥ) – decorated;     (mūrdhajāḥ) –

hair; (vāṇī) – speech; (ekā) – alone; (samalaṅkaroti) – highly

decorates, embellishes;       (puruṣaṁ) – person; (yā) – which;     (saṁskṛtā) –

cultured and refined language;        (dhāryate) – (is held or) is upheld;     (kṣīyante) –

decay; (khalu) – indeed, verily;     (bhūṣaṇāni) – ornaments;     (satatam) –

always;      (vāk) – speech;       (bhūṣaṇam) – ornament, decoration;       (bhūṣaṇam)

 – ornament, decoration; 

                                         

               ( )               

                     ()

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Narayanashrama TapovanamVenginissery, P.O. Paralam, Trichur, Kerala, India

http://www.brahmavidya.org