Bhavanti Namras Taravah Phalodgamaih — Word-by-Word Meaning
भवन्ति नम्रास्तरवः फलोद्गमैः
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
भवन्ति
bhavanti
become, are
नम्राः
namrāḥ
bent low, humble, bowing down
तरवः
taravaḥ
trees
फलोद्गमैः
phalodgamaiḥ
by the appearance/burden of fruit
नवाम्बुभिः
navāmbubhiḥ
with fresh (rain) water
भूमिविलम्बिनः
bhūmi-vilambinaḥ
hanging low toward the earth
घनाः
ghanāḥ
clouds
अनुद्धताः
anuddhatāḥ
unarrogant, free of pride, not haughty
सत्पुरुषाः
sat-puruṣāḥ
good and noble people, the virtuous
समृद्धिभिः
samṛddhibhiḥ
by/with prosperity, riches, abundance
स्वभावः
svabhāvaḥ
natural disposition, innate nature
एव एषः
eva eṣaḥ
this indeed (is)
परोपकारिणाम्
paropakāriṇām
of the benevolent, those who help others
Complete Translation
Trees bow low under the burden of their fruit; rain-laden clouds hang down close to the earth with fresh water; and noble people remain unassuming in the midst of their prosperity — for this very humility is the natural disposition of those who live to benefit others. Bhartrhari draws on nature itself to show that true greatness expresses itself through gentleness, not arrogance.
Origin & History
Source: Niti Shataka of Bhartrhari (Subhashita)
Author: Bhartrhari
Period: Classical Sanskrit literature (c. 5th century CE)
In his Niti Shataka, Bhartrhari repeatedly praises the character of the sajjana, the truly good person. Here he turns to nature for his lesson: the heavily fruiting tree and the water-bearing cloud both bend humbly toward the earth. From these images he draws the principle that the benevolent grow more modest as they grow more prosperous, making humility the very signature of a generous soul.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of Bhavanti Namras Taravah Phalodgamaih?▼
It means 'trees become bent low by the burden of fruit.' The full verse compares fruit-laden trees and rain-filled clouds, which both bow toward the earth, to noble people who remain humble amid prosperity — showing that humility is the natural way of the benevolent.
Who composed this verse?▼
It is from the Niti Shataka of Bhartrhari, the renowned Sanskrit poet-philosopher, in his hundred verses on ethics and right living.
What life lesson does this Subhashita teach?▼
That genuine greatness and prosperity should make a person more humble and giving, not more arrogant. The natural world itself models this: abundance causes the tree and the cloud to bend low, just as it makes the noble person gentle and unassuming.
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