Sampurna Kumbho Na Karoti Shabdam — Word-by-Word Meaning
सम्पूर्णकुम्भो न करोति शब्दम्
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
सम्पूर्णकुम्भः
sampūrṇakumbhaḥ
a completely filled pot, a full pitcher
न करोति शब्दम्
na karoti śabdam
makes no sound, does not rattle
अर्धः घटः
ardho ghaṭaḥ
a half-filled pot
घोषम् उपैति
ghoṣam upaiti
makes a loud noise, produces a splashing sound
नूनम्
nūnam
certainly, surely, indeed
विद्वान्
vidvān
a learned person, a wise scholar
कुलीनः
kulīnaḥ
well-born, of noble family and good breeding
न करोति गर्वम्
na karoti garvam
does not become arrogant, shows no pride
गुणैः विहीनाः
guṇair vihīnāḥ
those devoid of merits and good qualities
बहु जल्पयन्ति
bahu jalpayanti
chatter much, prattle and boast loudly
Complete Translation
A pot filled to the brim makes no sound, while a half-filled pot surely splashes and rattles loudly. In the same way a truly learned and well-born person never grows arrogant, whereas those devoid of merit prattle and boast a great deal. The verse compares empty noise to empty character, praising the quiet dignity of genuine worth.
Origin & History
Source: Subhashita (classical Sanskrit niti verse)
Author: Unknown (traditional subhashita)
Period: Classical Sanskrit literature
This verse belongs to the vast Subhashita tradition — pithy, elegant Sanskrit sayings on wisdom and right living passed down through generations and gathered in numerous anthologies. With its homely image of the silent full pot and the noisy half-empty one, it has become one of the most quoted illustrations of humility, contrasting the calm dignity of true merit with the loud emptiness of the unworthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sampurna Kumbho Na Karoti Shabdam mean?▼
It means 'a full pot makes no sound.' Just as a brimful pitcher is silent while a half-filled one splashes noisily, the truly learned and noble remain humble, while those without real merit boast and chatter the loudest.
What is the moral of this shloka?▼
Humility. Genuine knowledge, ability and good breeding show themselves through quiet dignity, not loud self-praise. Excessive boasting is a sign of emptiness, not of worth.
Is this verse part of the Subhashita tradition?▼
Yes. It is a well-loved subhashita (wise saying) of classical Sanskrit, widely quoted in collections of niti verses on humility and character, and often taught alongside other verses praising modesty.
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