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Paropakaraya Satam Vibhutayah

Paropakaraya Satam Vibhutayah in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 3× repetitions·🕐 Morning reflection, or before acts of charity and service·📜 Subhashita (Sanskrit niti tradition)

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हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

Paropakaraya Satam Vibhutayah is a beloved Subhashita celebrating selfless service (paropakara). Through the beautiful examples of rivers, trees and rain-clouds — which give all their bounty to others and keep nothing for themselves — it teaches that the wealth and gifts of the virtuous exist for the welfare of all. It is one of the most cherished verses on generosity and altruism in Sanskrit literature.

Origin & Story

Subhashita (Sanskrit niti tradition) · Anonymous (classical Subhashita) · Classical Sanskrit literature

This quatrain belongs to the treasury of Subhashitas — memorable verses of wisdom transmitted across generations. Drawing its imagery from the giving nature of rivers, trees and rain-clouds, it became one of the most quoted celebrations of paropakara, the ideal of living for the good of others.

✦ As told in scripture

Elders cite this verse to honour the truly generous, observing that just as a fruit-laden tree bends low to offer its harvest, the noble grow greater in spirit the more they give; selfless service, the tradition holds, returns to the giver as inner abundance.

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The Mantra

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pibanti nadyaḥ svayam eva nāmbhaḥ svayaṁ na khādanti phalāni vṛkṣāḥ। nādanti sasyaṁ khalu vāri-vāhāḥ paropakārāya satāṁ vibhūtayaḥ॥

Meaning:Rivers do not drink their own water, trees do not eat their own fruit, and clouds do not devour the grain they nourish — the abundance of the noble exists for the welfare of others. Just as nature gives selflessly, the resources of the good are meant for the service of all.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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pibanti🔊drink

nadyaḥ🔊the rivers

svayam eva na ambhaḥ🔊do not themselves drink their own water

svayaṁ na khādanti🔊do not themselves eat

phalāni🔊the fruits

vṛkṣāḥ🔊the trees

na adanti🔊do not eat / consume

sasyam🔊the grain, the crops

khalu🔊indeed

vāri-vāhāḥ🔊the rain-clouds (water-bearers)

paropakārāya🔊for the benefit of others, for the welfare of all

satām🔊of the virtuous, of the good

vibhūtayaḥ🔊the possessions, abundance, resources

Benefits of Chanting Paropakaraya Satam Vibhutayah

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Inspires the spirit of selfless service and generosity (paropakara)

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Uses nature's example to teach giving without expectation of return

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Encourages using one's resources and talents for the welfare of others

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Cultivates a compassionate, large-hearted attitude toward all beings

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A timeless ideal for charitable living and community service

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Frequently quoted to celebrate philanthropy and noble character

How to Chant Paropakaraya Satam Vibhutayah

Repetitions3times

Best TimeMorning reflection, or before acts of charity and service

Recite the verse while contemplating the selfless generosity of rivers, trees and clouds. Let it inspire a resolve to use whatever you possess — wealth, knowledge, time or strength — for the good of others. It is a beautiful affirmation to set the intention of seva (service) before charitable work.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete Paropakaraya Satam Vibhutayah written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.

Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.

It means 'the abundance of the virtuous is meant for the welfare of others.' The verse illustrates this with rivers, trees and clouds that give all their bounty selflessly to others.

It teaches paropakara — selfless service. Following nature's example, the good use their wealth, knowledge and gifts not for themselves but for the benefit of all around them.

It is a famous Subhashita from the Sanskrit niti tradition, widely anthologised and recited as a celebration of altruism and noble conduct.