Vidya Dadati Vinayam — Word-by-Word Meaning
विद्या ददाति विनयम्
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
विद्या
vidyā
knowledge, true learning
ददाति
dadāti
gives, bestows
विनयम्
vinayam
humility, good conduct, discipline
विनयात्
vinayāt
from humility
याति
yāti
one attains, reaches
पात्रताम्
pātratām
worthiness, fitness, eligibility
पात्रत्वात्
pātratvāt
from worthiness
धनम्
dhanam
wealth, prosperity
आप्नोति
āpnoti
one obtains, acquires
धनात्
dhanāt
from wealth
धर्मम्
dharmam
righteousness, virtuous conduct
ततः
tataḥ
from that, thereafter
सुखम्
sukham
happiness, lasting well-being
Complete Translation
Knowledge gives humility; from humility one gains worthiness; from worthiness one obtains wealth; from wealth comes righteousness, and from righteousness comes happiness. This single verse traces the whole ladder of a noble life, beginning with true learning and culminating in lasting joy.
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, distilling the entire purpose of learning into a single elegant chain that begins with vidya and ends with sukha.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the verse Vidya Dadati Vinayam come from?▼
It is a celebrated Subhashita (wise saying) preserved in the Hitopadesha, a classical Sanskrit collection of moral fables compiled by Narayana. It is also widely quoted in the broader Subhashita tradition.
What is the central teaching of this shloka?▼
It teaches that genuine knowledge expresses itself first as humility. From humility one becomes worthy, from worthiness comes prosperity, prosperity rightly used becomes righteousness, and righteousness finally yields lasting happiness.
Why is this verse so often recited in schools?▼
Because it captures the true aim of education in a single line — that learning should refine character and make a person humble and useful, rather than merely clever or proud. Many institutions adopt it as a motto.
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