Karyeshu Mantri (The Six Virtues of an Ideal Wife) — Word-by-Word Meaning
कार्येषु मन्त्री करणेषु दासी
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
कार्येषु
kāryeṣu
in matters of work, in counsel and decisions
मन्त्री
mantrī
(like) a minister, a wise advisor
करणेषु
karaṇeṣu
in performing tasks, in service of duties
दासी
dāsī
(diligent) like a devoted servant
भोज्येषु
bhojyeṣu
in matters of food and nourishment
माता
mātā
(caring) like a mother
शयनेषु
śayaneṣu
in the bedchamber, in intimacy
रम्भा
rambhā
(beautiful and loving) like the apsara Rambha
धर्मानुकूला
dharmānukūlā
favourable to and supportive of righteousness (dharma)
क्षमया
kṣamayā
in forbearance, in patient forgiveness
धरित्री
dharitrī
(enduring) like the Earth
षट्कर्मयुक्ता
ṣaṭ-karma-yuktā
endowed with these six qualities (roles)
कुलधर्मपत्नी
kula-dharma-patnī
the righteous wife who upholds the honour of the family
Complete Translation
In counsel like a minister, in service diligent like a devoted helper, in nourishing like a mother, in love like the celestial Rambha, ever favourable to righteousness, and in forbearance enduring like the Earth — the wife endowed with these six virtues is the noble guardian of the family's dharma. The verse poetically lists the six ideals that make a partner the strength and honour of a household.
Origin & History
Source: Subhashita
Author: Unknown (classical Sanskrit niti tradition)
Period: Classical Sanskrit literature
Subhashitas are polished epigrams of worldly and ethical wisdom passed down through Sanskrit literature and gathered in anthologies across the centuries. This verse, much beloved in discussions of the householder's life, distils into a single elegant stanza the six virtues — counsel, diligence, nurture, love, righteousness and forbearance — that together make a partner the strength and honour of a family.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the six virtues described in Karyeshu Mantri?▼
The verse lists six ideal roles of a life-partner: a wise minister in counsel, a diligent helper in tasks, a caring mother in nourishment, a loving Rambha in intimacy, a supporter of righteousness (dharma), and one as forbearing as the Earth in patience.
Where does this shloka come from?▼
It is a celebrated subhashita (wise saying) from the classical Sanskrit niti tradition, widely transmitted in collections of moral and worldly wisdom. It is one of the most quoted verses on the ideal of an honourable household.
Why is the Earth used as an image of forbearance?▼
The Earth (Dharitri) bears all burdens silently and forgives endlessly, so it is the classic Sanskrit symbol of patience and forbearance (kshama). The verse holds up this boundless patience as one of the six great virtues of a noble partner.
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