𑌅𑌤𑌿 𑌸𑌰𑍍𑌵𑌤𑍍𑌰 𑌵𑌰𑍍𑌜𑌯𑍇𑌤𑍍
Ati Sarvatra Varjayet in Grantha · 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥
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Origin & Story
Subhashita (Sanskrit niti tradition) · Anonymous (traditional Subhashita) · Classical Sanskrit literature
This verse belongs to the rich Subhashita tradition of Sanskrit, which preserves thousands of memorable verses on wisdom and conduct. To teach the value of moderation, it cites three figures from the epics and Puranas whose excess — of beauty, pride and generosity — led to suffering, and closes with the timeless rule to avoid excess in all things.
✦ As told in scripture
It is often said that whoever truly remembers this verse gains a quiet inner compass, for the simple rule 'avoid excess everywhere' has steadied countless people against the extremes of desire, pride and even misplaced virtue.
The Mantra
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𑌅𑌤𑌿 𑌰𑍂𑌪𑍇𑌣 𑌵𑍈 𑌸𑍀𑌤𑌾 𑌅𑌤𑌿𑌗𑌰𑍍𑌵𑍇𑌣 𑌰𑌾𑌵𑌣𑌃। 𑌅𑌤𑌿𑌦𑌾𑌨𑌾𑌦𑍍𑌬𑌲𑌿𑌰𑍍𑌬𑌦𑍍𑌧𑍋 𑌅𑌤𑌿 𑌸𑌰𑍍𑌵𑌤𑍍𑌰 𑌵𑌰𑍍𑌜𑌯𑍇𑌤𑍍॥
ati rūpeṇa vai sītā ati-garveṇa rāvaṇaḥ। ati-dānād balir baddho ati sarvatra varjayet॥
Meaning:It was excessive beauty that brought trouble to Sita, excessive pride that ruined Ravana, and excessive giving that bound King Bali; therefore one should avoid excess in all things. Drawing on three famous examples, this Subhashita teaches the timeless wisdom of moderation — that even good qualities, carried to extremes, can lead to downfall.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Ati Sarvatra Varjayet
Teaches the vital life-skill of moderation and balance in all things
Warns that even good qualities become harmful in excess
Encourages self-restraint, prudence and a measured way of living
Uses memorable epic examples that make the lesson easy to recall
A valuable verse for ethical reflection and balanced decision-making
Helps cultivate equanimity and avoid extremes of conduct
How to Chant Ati Sarvatra Varjayet
Recite the verse and recall its three examples — beauty, pride and giving, each ruined by excess. Apply the closing maxim 'ati sarvatra varjayet' to your own life, asking where moderation is needed. It is best used as a contemplative reminder to keep balance, rather than as a ritual chant.
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Read the full Ati Sarvatra Varjayet with verse-by-verse meaning, or explore more sacred texts