I think it should have been Mr President, welcome to the country of Greece :) (Mahabhaga possibly means most fortunate - been a while now :) ). Nitpicking, I guess...
RE:The translation seems to be incorrect
by Jaganniwas Iyer on Apr 28, 2007 01:25 PM Permalink
No, it isn't incorrect. While greeting leading dignitaries or men of eminence, the words 'Mahabhag', 'Mahoday' are apt to be used. Alternatively, Greek president greeting could Karolos Papoulias could've said "Rashtrapativarya, swagatam, asmat deshey." Jaganniwas Iyer
RE:The translation seems to be incorrect
by Maximus Decimus Meridius on Apr 28, 2007 08:49 PM Permalink
That's not what I was saying... It is not welcome to you, it is welcome to greece. The question about mahabhaga was separate. I should have made it clear.
RE:The translation seems to be incorrect
by Maximus Decimus Meridius on Apr 28, 2007 08:51 PM Permalink
That's not what I was saying... It is not welcome to you, it is welcome to greece. The%
RE:The translation seems to be incorrect
by Krishnamurthy P.V. on Apr 28, 2007 11:49 AM Permalink
When translated it means, " Honourable President, welcome to Greece". Mahabhaga means a term of respect .It can also mean ," Excellency, Mr. President, welcome to Greece." In Hindi it can be said as" Rashtrapati Mahodayji, Yunaan me aap ka swagat hai." It is the most heartening to know that Europeans learn Sanskrit, while most of the Indians term it as dead language.Some regard it as the language of Hindus or Brahmins and so on. Will Indians learn from this, that Samskrutam naama daivi vaaganmakhyata maharshibhi. Long live Bharat.
RE:The translation seems to be incorrect
by Maximus Decimus Meridius on Apr 28, 2007 12:04 PM Permalink
Yes, I guessed as much. I was looking for the *exact* meaning of Mahabhaga... It is clear from the context that it meant excellency or honourable. Eg: Bahuvrihi (the samas) means rich. The literal meaning is having lots of rice. I was trying to get the literal meaning.
RE:The translation seems to be incorrect
by Maximus Decimus Meridius on Apr 28, 2007 09:38 AM Permalink
PS: Is a verb missing in this quote? It seems so!
