Ghee has been used as an important ingredient in Indian cultures for thousands of years. It is type of clarified butter that’s made from heating butter and allowing the liquid and milk portion to separate from the fat. It alwsys smell good and often used in many revipe or during the meals.
The reason I shared this information is to make you understand our today Sanskrit verses.
ज्येष्ठत्वं जन्मना नैव गुणैर्ज्येष्ठत्वमुच्यते|
गुणात् गुरुत्वमायाति दुग्धं दधि घृतं क्रमात्||
Jyeshthatvam = seniority, excellence.
Janmana = by birth.
Naiva = hardly.
Gunairjeshthatva = Gunaih + Jyeshthatvam + uchayate.
Gunaih = talent, virtues.
uchyate = said.
Gunaat = through virtues and talent. Gurutvamaayaati = Gurutvam + aayaati
Gurutvam = respectablity, greatness
Aayaati = comes from.
Dugdham = milk.
Dadhi = curd (coagulated milk).
Ghruta = Ghee, cream.
Kramaat = gradually,
Greatness is not ascribed at birth, it is rather acquired by qualities possessed by the individual. It is truly said that "seniority and excellence" has to be earned by acquiring virtues and talent. It increases progressively like the transformation of milk into yogurt, and ghee. Ghee are more costlier than ordinary milk and are liked by many people.
The age old noble saying likes to highlight through citing the example of Ghee which is more costlier and increases the value of milk. Simply by being born in an illustrious family does not confer greatness to a person. A person can become senior and respectable in the society only when he acquires talent and virtues.
Money and status can easily be earned in society, but getting a respect needs a person to show their true knowledge and virtues. This is hard to posses, and not everyone could easily acquire.