Alpaksharam Asandigdham (The Marks of a True Sutra) — Word-by-Word Meaning
अल्पाक्षरमसन्दिग्धम्
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
अल्पाक्षरम्
alpākṣaram
having few syllables, concise, brief
असन्दिग्धम्
asandigdham
free from doubt, unambiguous, clear
सारवत्
sāravat
full of essence, meaningful, substantial
विश्वतोमुखम्
viśvato-mukham
facing all sides, of universal application, comprehensive
अस्तोभम्
astobham
free of needless filler words / pauses, without padding
अनवद्यम्
anavadyam
faultless, blameless, free of error
च
ca
and
सूत्रम्
sūtram
an aphorism, a sutra (a terse formulaic statement)
सूत्रविदः
sūtra-vidaḥ
those who know sutras, the experts in aphorisms
विदुः
viduḥ
know it (to be), declare it (to be)
Complete Translation
Concise, unambiguous, full of essence, comprehensive in scope, free of padding, and faultless — such, the experts declare, is a true sutra (aphorism). The verse itself defines, in a single elegant stanza, the six qualities that make a saying perfect: brevity, clarity, substance, universality, economy and flawlessness.
Origin & History
Source: Subhashita
Author: Unknown (classical Sanskrit shastra tradition)
Period: Classical Sanskrit literature
Across the Sanskrit shastras, knowledge was often condensed into sutras — terse, formulaic statements meant to pack maximum meaning into minimum words. This celebrated verse, transmitted in the subhashita and grammatical traditions, defines the very ideal of such an aphorism, listing the six qualities of a perfect sutra. Fittingly, the verse is itself a flawless example of the brevity and clarity it praises.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this shloka define?▼
It gives the classic definition of a sutra — a perfect aphorism. It lists the six qualities that a true sutra must possess: brevity, clarity, substance, universal applicability, freedom from filler, and faultlessness.
What are the six qualities of a sutra named in the verse?▼
Alpaksharam (concise), asandigdham (unambiguous), saravat (full of essence), vishvato-mukham (comprehensive), astobham (free of needless words), and anavadyam (faultless). Together these define the ideal of terse, perfect expression.
Where is this verse used?▼
It is a celebrated subhashita quoted across the sutra-based shastras — especially in grammar (vyakarana) and logic (nyaya) — as the standard description of what makes a sutra excellent. It is itself a model of conciseness and clarity.
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