Nastha Dharme Na Vasu Nichaye — Word-by-Word Meaning
नास्था धर्मे न वसुनिचये
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
नास्था
nāsthā
No faith, no firm interest / reliance
धर्मे
dharme
In (mere) religious duty / piety
न वसुनिचये
na vasu-nicaye
Not in the accumulation of wealth
नैव कामोपभोगे
naiva kāma-upabhoge
Nor at all in the enjoyment of desires/pleasures
यद्यद्भव्यं
yad yad bhavyam
Whatever is destined to happen
भवतु भगवन्
bhavatu bhagavan
Let it be, O Lord!
पूर्वकर्मानुरूपम्
pūrva-karma-anurūpam
In accordance with (my) past deeds (karma)
एतत् प्रार्थ्यं
etat prārthyam
This is what is to be prayed for
मम बहुमतं
mama bahu-matam
My most cherished (wish), highly esteemed by me
जन्मजन्मान्तरेऽपि
janma-janma-antare 'pi
Even birth after birth, in every lifetime
त्वत्पादाम्भोरुहयुगगता
tvat-pāda-ambhoruha-yuga-gatā
Directed to the pair of Your lotus feet
निश्चला भक्तिः
niścalā bhaktiḥ
Unwavering, steadfast devotion
अस्तु
astu
Let there be, may it be
Complete Translation
I have no faith in religious duty, in heaps of wealth, nor in the enjoyment of desires. O Lord, let whatever is destined come to pass according to my past deeds. This alone is my cherished prayer, birth after birth: let me have unshakable devotion to the pair of Your lotus feet.
Origin & History
Source: Mukunda Mala Stotram, verse on nishchala bhakti (Kulasekhara Alwar)
Author: Kulasekhara Alwar (Kulasekhara Perumal)
Period: c. 9th century CE
Kulasekhara was a king of the Chera dynasty of Kerala and a passionate devotee of Lord Vishnu who renounced his kingdom to live as a devotee; he is revered as one of the twelve Alwars. His Mukunda Mala is a garland of verses asking for nothing but eternal devotion to Mukunda's feet. This verse is its very heart — the king setting aside piety, wealth, and pleasure, and praying only for unshakable bhakti, birth after birth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Nastha Dharme Na Vasu Nichaye' mean?▼
It means 'I have no faith (or interest) in religious duty for reward, nor in heaps of wealth, nor in the enjoyment of desires.' Kulasekhara renounces these in favour of a single prayer: unwavering devotion to the Lord's lotus feet in every birth.
What is 'Nishchala Bhakti'?▼
Nishchala bhakti means 'unshakable, steadfast devotion.' It is devotion that asks for nothing in return — not heaven, wealth, or pleasure — but seeks only the Lord himself. This verse is one of the most famous prayers for such pure devotion.
Who composed this verse?▼
It was composed by Kulasekhara Alwar, a 9th-century king of the Chera dynasty in South India who renounced his throne for devotion to Lord Vishnu. It appears in his celebrated Mukunda Mala Stotram and is counted among the Alwar saints' most treasured verses.
What does the poet mean by accepting his past karma?▼
He says 'let whatever is destined come to pass according to my past deeds.' Rather than praying to change his fortunes, he gladly accepts whatever his karma brings, asking only that his devotion to the Lord remain unbroken through it all.
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