Prarabhyate Na Khalu Vighna Bhayena (The Three Types of Men)
प्रारभ्यते न खलु विघ्नभयेन नीचैः
Also known as: prarabhyate na khalu vighna bhayena · prarabhyate na khalu vighnabhayena nichaih · three types of men shloka · uttama jana na parityajanti · bhartrhari shloka on perseverance
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✦ Meaning
One of Bhartrhari's most inspiring verses from the Niti Shataka, this shloka classifies people into three types by how they meet difficulty. The lowest never even start, paralysed by the fear of obstacles; the middling begin but abandon their work at the first hindrance; and the highest, though battered by obstacles again and again, never give up what they have begun. It is a timeless celebration of perseverance and the resolve of the great.
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, a hundred epigrams on right conduct, perseverance and the ways of the world. This shloka is among its most beloved, dividing humanity into three types by their response to obstacles and crowning the highest with the glory of never abandoning a task once begun — a timeless anthem of perseverance.
✦ As told in scripture
Generations have drawn courage from this verse in the face of failure, repeating its closing line as a vow never to quit. Teachers say that the one who truly lives by it becomes, by that very resolve, an uttama-jana — for greatness lies not in never falling, but in always rising to continue.
The Mantra
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प्रारभ्यते न खलु विघ्नभयेन नीचैः प्रारभ्य विघ्नविहता विरमन्ति मध्याः। विघ्नैः पुनः पुनरपि प्रतिहन्यमानाः प्रारब्धमुत्तमजना न परित्यजन्ति॥
prārabhyate na khalu vighna-bhayena nīcaiḥ prārabhya vighna-vihatā viramanti madhyāḥ। vighnaiḥ punaḥ punar api pratihanyamānāḥ prārabdham uttama-janā na parityajanti॥
Meaning:The low never begin a task at all, for fear of obstacles. The mediocre begin, but stop the moment difficulties strike. But the noblest, though struck down by obstacles again and again, never abandon the work they have begun. The verse divides all people into three types and exalts the unbreakable perseverance of the truly great.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Prarabhyate Na Khalu Vighna Bhayena (The Three Types of Men)
Inspires unshakeable perseverance in the face of obstacles
Classifies the qualities that separate the great from the ordinary
Motivates the reciter to begin worthy tasks and never abandon them
Builds courage, resolve and determination in difficult endeavours
A powerful reminder that obstacles test, but never defeat, the noble
A short, memorable verse ideal for daily motivation and reflection
How to Chant Prarabhyate Na Khalu Vighna Bhayena (The Three Types of Men)
Recite the verse with feeling, dwelling on the rising scale of the three types and on the final, defiant line — the noble never abandon what they begin. Use it to steel your resolve when obstacles arise, resolving to belong to the highest type. It is widely quoted to inspire students, workers and seekers to persevere through hardship.