Vritha Vrishtih Samudreshu — Word-by-Word Meaning
वृथा वृष्टिः समुद्रेषु
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
वृथा
vṛthā
in vain, useless, fruitless
वृष्टिः
vṛṣṭiḥ
rain, rainfall
समुद्रेषु
samudreṣu
upon the oceans, into the seas
तृप्तेषु
tṛpteṣu
for those already satisfied, for the well-fed
भोजनम्
bhojanam
food, a meal, feeding
दानम्
dānam
charity, a gift, giving
समर्थस्य
samarthasya
to one who is capable, to the self-sufficient and able
दीपः
dīpaḥ
a lamp, a light
दिवा
divā
in the daytime, by day
अपि
api
even, also
च
ca
and
Complete Translation
Rain upon the oceans is wasted, food given to those already full is wasted, a gift to one who is fully capable is wasted, and a lamp even in broad daylight is wasted. The verse teaches that the value of any act of giving lies in being offered where it is truly needed.
Origin & History
Source: Subhashita (Sanskrit niti literature)
Author: Traditional (anonymous wisdom verse)
Period: Classical Sanskrit literature
This verse is part of the rich Subhashita tradition — short, polished Sanskrit sayings that capture worldly and ethical wisdom in a single couplet. Through four homely yet striking images of waste, it conveys the principle that any gift or effort, however good, is fruitless unless offered where it is genuinely needed, and so counsels discernment in all generosity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Vritha Vrishtih Samudreshu mean?▼
It means 'rain upon the oceans is in vain.' The verse lists four wasted acts — rain on the sea, food for the already-fed, a gift to one who is fully capable, and a lamp lit in daylight — to teach that giving is fruitful only where it is truly needed.
Where does this verse come from?▼
It is a classical Subhashita from the Sanskrit niti tradition, preserved in anthologies of moral sayings. Such verses were composed to convey practical wisdom about right conduct and discernment in an elegant, memorable form.
What practical lesson does it offer?▼
That charity and effort should be directed with discernment. Even a good deed loses its value if offered where it serves no purpose, so one should give to the genuinely needy and apply effort where it can truly help.
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