उष्ट्राणां च विवाहेषु गीतं गायन्ति गर्दभाः ।
परस्परं प्रशंसन्ति अहो रूपमहो ध्वनिः ॥
uṣṭrāṇāṁ ca vivāheṣu gītaṁ gāyanti gardabhāḥ |
parasparaṁ praśaṁsanti aho rūpam aho dhvaniḥ ||
(Mahāsubhāṣita-saṅgraha)
“At the marriages of camels, donkeys sing songs, and they each praise one another, ‘What beauty! What tune! [i.e., the donkeys praise the “beauty” of the camels’ figures, and the camels praise the “tunes” in which the donkeys sing].’”
Commentary
The uncultured may revere one another, but in so doing only appear foolish to the cultured.
Alternate version
उष्ट्राणां हि विवाहेषु गर्दभाः शान्तिपाठकाः ।
परस्परं प्रशंसन्ति-अहो रूपमहो ध्वनिः ॥
uṣṭrāṇāṁ hi vivāheṣu gardabhāḥ śānti-pāṭhakāḥ |
parasparaṁ praśaṁsanti aho rūpam aho dhvaniḥ ||
“At the marriages of camels, donkeys are the reciters of blessings, and they each praise one another, ‘What beauty! What tune!‘”