Sahasa Vidadhita Na Kriyam — Word-by-Word Meaning
सहसा विदधीत न क्रियाम्
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
सहसा
sahasā
rashly, hastily, without thought
विदधीत न
vidadhīta na
one should not do, should not undertake
क्रियाम्
kriyām
an action, a deed, an undertaking
अविवेकः
avivekaḥ
lack of discernment, thoughtlessness, indiscretion
परम-आपदाम्
parama-āpadām
of the greatest calamities, of supreme misfortunes
पदम्
padam
the abode, the seat, the ground (source)
वृणुते हि
vṛṇute hi
indeed chooses, indeed seeks out
विमृश्यकारिणम्
vimṛśyakāriṇam
one who acts after due deliberation, the prudent doer
गुणलुब्धाः
guṇalubdhāḥ
eager for (attracted to) merit and good qualities
स्वयम् एव
svayam eva
of their own accord, by themselves
सम्पदः
sampadaḥ
prosperities, riches, good fortunes
Complete Translation
One should never act rashly; indiscretion is the very seat of the greatest calamities. Prosperities, ever enamoured of merit, of their own accord choose the one who acts only after careful deliberation. The verse counsels that fortune comes naturally to the thoughtful, while reckless haste invites ruin.
Origin & History
Source: Hitopadesha (Subhashita)
Author: Narayana Pandita (compiler of the Hitopadesha)
Period: Classical Sanskrit literature (c. 9th–12th century CE)
The Hitopadesha is a collection of instructive animal fables in prose interspersed with verse, composed to teach princes wisdom and statecraft through delightful stories. This verse appears among its niti-shlokas, cautioning against impulsive action and exalting the prudent person whom prosperity itself comes to embrace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the verse Sahasa Vidadhita Na Kriyam come from?▼
It is a celebrated niti-shloka (subhashita) from the Hitopadesha, the classical Sanskrit collection of moral fables compiled by Narayana Pandita, and it is widely quoted in the broader Subhashita tradition on prudence.
What is the central teaching of this shloka?▼
That one should never act in haste, because thoughtlessness is the seat of the greatest calamities. Good fortune, drawn to merit, of its own accord chooses the person who acts only after careful deliberation.
What does 'vimrishya-karin' mean?▼
It means 'one who acts after due deliberation' — a person who reflects and weighs the consequences before undertaking any action. The verse promises that prosperity itself seeks out such a prudent person.
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