Hastasya Bhushanam Danam — Word-by-Word Meaning
हस्तस्य भूषणं दानम्
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
हस्तस्य
hastasya
of the hand
भूषणम्
bhūṣaṇam
ornament, adornment
दानम्
dānam
giving, charity
सत्यम्
satyam
truth, truthfulness
कण्ठस्य
kaṇṭhasya
of the throat (neck, voice)
भूषणम्
bhūṣaṇam
ornament
श्रोत्रस्य
śrotrasya
of the ear
भूषणम्
bhūṣaṇam
ornament
शास्त्रम्
śāstram
scripture, learning, sacred knowledge
भूषणैः
bhūṣaṇaiḥ
with (jewelled) ornaments
किम्
kim
what (use), of what purpose
प्रयोजनम्
prayojanam
use, purpose, need
Complete Translation
The ornament of the hand is charity; the ornament of the throat is truth; the ornament of the ear is the hearing of sacred learning — of what use, then, are mere jewelled ornaments? The verse declares that the true adornments of a person are virtues — generosity, truthfulness and wisdom — beside which external decorations are worthless.
Origin & History
Source: Niti Shataka of Bhartrhari (Subhashita)
Author: Bhartrhari
Period: Classical Sanskrit literature (c. 5th century CE)
Bhartrhari's Niti Shataka is a celebrated century of verses on worldly wisdom and right conduct. This shloka contrasts the gaudy ornaments people prize with the true ornaments of the soul — charity, truth and learning — concluding that one adorned with virtue has no need of jewels. It has long been quoted to teach that character is the highest beauty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hastasya Bhushanam Danam mean?▼
It means: 'Charity is the ornament of the hand, truth the ornament of the voice, and sacred learning the ornament of the ear — so what need is there of jewelled ornaments?' Virtue is a person's true adornment.
What is the central teaching of this verse?▼
It teaches that the real beauty of a human being lies in virtues — generosity, truthfulness and wisdom — and that external ornaments are worthless by comparison.
Who composed this shloka?▼
It is a famous verse from the Niti Shataka of Bhartrhari, the great Sanskrit poet-sage, and is among the most quoted subhashitas on virtue and the true adornments of character.
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