Shrotram Shrutenaiva Na Kundalena
श्रोत्रं श्रुतेनैव न कुण्डलेन
Also known as: shrotram shrutenaiva na kundalena · shrotram shrutenaiva na kundalena danena panir na tu kankanena · true ornaments shloka · bhartrhari shloka on charity and learning
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✦ Meaning
Shrotram Shrutenaiva Na Kundalena is a beloved verse from Bhartrhari's Niti Shataka on the true ornaments of a human being. It declares that the ear is beautified by learning rather than earrings, the hand by charity rather than bracelets, and the body of the compassionate by good deeds rather than sandal paste. It exalts inner virtues — knowledge, generosity and kindness — over all external adornment.
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 (Shatakatraya), gathering a hundred epigrams on right conduct and the ways of the world. Among its verses on virtue and character, this shloka beautifully lists the genuine ornaments of a human being — learning, charity and compassion — declaring them far superior to earrings, bracelets and sandal paste.
✦ As told in scripture
This verse has long inspired the learned and the generous; teachers recount that students who take it to heart come to value a well-read mind and an open hand above any finery, understanding that the kindness one shows others is the only adornment that truly shines.
The Mantra
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श्रोत्रं श्रुतेनैव न कुण्डलेन दानेन पाणिर्न तु कङ्कणेन। विभाति कायः करुणापराणां परोपकारैर्न तु चन्दनेन॥
śrotraṁ śrutenaiva na kuṇḍalena dānena pāṇir na tu kaṅkaṇena। vibhāti kāyaḥ karuṇāparāṇāṁ paropakārair na tu candanena॥
Meaning:The ear is adorned by sacred learning, not by an earring; the hand by charity, not by a bracelet. The body of the compassionate shines through acts of kindness to others, not through sandalwood paste. The verse teaches that the true ornaments of a person are learning, generosity and benevolence — not jewellery or cosmetics.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Shrotram Shrutenaiva Na Kundalena
Teaches that learning, charity and kindness are a person's true ornaments
Inspires the pursuit of knowledge and the practice of generosity
Redirects pride from outward show to inner virtue
Encourages compassion and selfless service (paropakara)
A guiding ideal for students, donors and the kind-hearted
A short, elegant verse for daily reflection on real beauty
How to Chant Shrotram Shrutenaiva Na Kundalena
Recite the verse calmly, pausing on each pairing — ear and learning, hand and charity, body and kindness. Reflect that the noblest adornments are not jewels but virtues, and let it inspire a day of study, giving and compassion. It is often taught alongside other Bhartrhari verses as a lesson on the dignity of inner worth over outward display.