Keyura Na Vibhushayanti (Vagbhushanam Bhushanam)
केयूराणि न भूषयन्ति पुरुषम्
Also known as: keyura na vibhushayanti · keyurani na bhushayanti purusham · vag bhushanam bhushanam · bhartrhari shloka on speech · ornament of speech shloka
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✦ Meaning
This famous verse from Bhartrhari's Niti Shataka declares that no external ornament — jewellery, perfume, flowers or fine grooming — truly adorns a person. The single, imperishable ornament is refined, cultivated speech (vani). While all material adornments decay with time, the ornament of good speech endures forever, making it the noblest beauty a human being can possess.
Origin & Story
Bhartrhari Niti Shataka · Bhartrhari · Classical Sanskrit literature (c. 5th century CE)
The Niti Shataka is the first of Bhartrhari's three celebrated centuries of verse (Shatakatraya), gathering a hundred epigrams on right conduct, wisdom and the ways of the world. Among its verses on the worth of learning and character, this shloka contrasts perishable bodily ornaments with the imperishable ornament of cultivated speech, exalting refined language as the truest beauty of a human being.
✦ As told in scripture
Teachers of Sanskrit have long opened lessons in rhetoric with this verse, observing that a person of gracious and well-chosen words commands respect that no jewellery can buy; it is said that the memory of a kind, eloquent word outlives every ornament its speaker ever wore.
The Mantra
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केयूराणि न भूषयन्ति पुरुषं हारा न चन्द्रोज्ज्वलाः न स्नानं न विलेपनं न कुसुमं नालङ्कृता मूर्धजाः। वाण्येका समलङ्करोति पुरुषं या संस्कृता धार्यते क्षीयन्ते खलु भूषणानि सततं वाग्भूषणं भूषणम्॥
keyūrāṇi na bhūṣayanti puruṣaṁ hārā na candrojjvalāḥ na snānaṁ na vilepanaṁ na kusumaṁ nālaṅkṛtā mūrdhajāḥ। vāṇyekā samalaṅkaroti puruṣaṁ yā saṁskṛtā dhāryate kṣīyante khalu bhūṣaṇāni satataṁ vāg-bhūṣaṇaṁ bhūṣaṇam॥
Meaning:Armlets do not adorn a person, nor necklaces gleaming like the moon, nor bathing, nor anointing with fragrant paste, nor flowers, nor elaborately dressed hair. Refined and well-spoken speech alone truly adorns a person; all other ornaments decay and wear away, but the ornament of speech is forever the real ornament. The verse declares that cultivated, gracious language is the one adornment that never fades.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Keyura Na Vibhushayanti (Vagbhushanam Bhushanam)
Teaches that refined, gracious speech is a person's truest and most lasting adornment
Inspires the cultivation of language, courtesy and eloquence over outward show
Reminds us that material ornaments fade while good speech endures
A guiding ideal for students, speakers and anyone who values character over appearance
Encourages mindful, well-cultivated (samskrita) words in daily life
A short, memorable verse for reflection on inner versus outer beauty
How to Chant Keyura Na Vibhushayanti (Vagbhushanam Bhushanam)
Recite the verse slowly, dwelling on the closing line 'vag-bhushanam bhushanam' — the ornament of speech is the real ornament. Reflect on how cultivated, kind and truthful words outlast every material adornment, and let it set the intention to speak with refinement and grace. It is often taught to students learning Sanskrit and rhetoric as a lesson on the dignity of language.