Many times, we find ourselves tongue-tied, especially when faced with boisterous people. The idea of stooping to their level and hurling abuses seems unthinkable. Despite our efforts to avoid such individuals, they often cross our paths in life. When these boisterous individuals happen to be family members, ignoring them becomes even more challenging.

In these trying situations, instead of enduring the frustration and internalizing negative emotions, is there another option, beyond accepting it as part of our karma? During my contemplation, I came across a profound Sanskrit padyam from Bhartṛhari’s VairAgyasHatakam. Reading it, I felt an instant connection with Bhartṛhariḥ; he seemed to have experienced what I’m going through and found a way to address it. The poem brought lightness and happiness to my heart.

Here is the padyam:

ददतु ददतु गालिर् गालिमन्तो भवन्तो
वयमपि तदभावाद्गालिदानेऽसमर्था:।
जगति विदितमेतद्दीयते विद्यमानं
न हि शशकविषाणं कोऽपि कस्मै ददाति॥

dadatu dadatu gālir gālimanto bhavanto
vayamapi tadabhāvādgālidāne’samarthā:।
jagati viditametaddīyate vidyamānaṃ
na hi śaśakaviṣāṇaṃ ko’pi kasmai dadāti॥

In this padyam, “gāliḥ” refers to foul language or abuse, and “gālimat” describes one who possesses this quality, i.e., a person who abuses or uses foul language. Bhartṛhariḥ states, “Go ahead, go ahead, give abuses because you all are gālimantaḥ. We are unable to retort back in the same language as we lack gāliḥ. We are not gālimantaḥ. Isn’t it known in this world that one can only give what one possesses? Nobody can give anyone Hare’s horn!”

Isn’t it remarkable? Bhartṛhariḥ articulated exactly what was on my mind, and his poignant punchline makes me wonder whom he might have encountered to inspire this poem. Now, I keep reciting this padyam like a mantra whenever I encounter such situations, and they no longer bother me.

This experience shows that Samskritam even helps in addressing mundane issues, but knowing the right padyams is essential for deriving its true essence.