Yasyasti Vittam Sa Narah Kulinah
यस्यास्ति वित्तं स नरः कुलीनः
Also known as: yasyasti vittam sa narah kulinah · yasya asti vittam · sarve gunah kanchanam ashrayanti · bhartrhari shloka on wealth
Read in your language / script
✦ Meaning
This famous Subhashita from Bhartrhari's Niti Shataka is a sharp satire on a society that measures every human worth by wealth. It declares, with deliberate sarcasm, that whoever possesses money is automatically deemed noble, learned, eloquent and even good-looking, because in the world's eyes 'all virtues cling to gold.' The verse remains startlingly relevant as a critique of judging people by their riches rather than their true character.
Origin & Story
Niti Shataka of Bhartrhari (Subhashita) · Bhartrhari · Classical Sanskrit literature (c. 5th century CE)
Bhartrhari, according to tradition a king who renounced his throne for the contemplative life, composed three Shatakas — collections of a hundred verses each — on ethics (Niti), love (Shringara) and renunciation (Vairagya). The Niti Shataka gathers his keen observations on human conduct, fate, wealth and wisdom. This verse stands among his most quoted, a withering commentary on a world that confuses gold with greatness.
✦ As told in scripture
Though a worldly observation rather than a devotional hymn, this verse has guided countless readers across the centuries to a single liberating insight — that the soul's true riches are virtue and wisdom, which no amount of gold can buy or counterfeit.
The Mantra
Tap any line — or the ▶ button — to hear it recited
यस्यास्ति वित्तं स नरः कुलीनः स पण्डितः स श्रुतवान् गुणज्ञः। स एव वक्ता स च दर्शनीयः सर्वे गुणाः काञ्चनमाश्रयन्ति॥
yasyāsti vittaṁ sa naraḥ kulīnaḥ sa paṇḍitaḥ sa śrutavān guṇajñaḥ। sa eva vaktā sa ca darśanīyaḥ sarve guṇāḥ kāñcanam āśrayanti॥
Meaning:The man who has wealth is considered well-born; he is called learned, scripturally wise and a connoisseur of merit; he alone is the eloquent speaker and even the handsome one — for all virtues take refuge in gold. With biting irony, Bhartrhari observes how the world heaps every imagined excellence upon the rich, simply because they are rich.
Word-by-Word Meaning
Click any word to hear its pronunciation
Benefits of Chanting Yasyasti Vittam Sa Narah Kulinah
Cultivates discernment to judge people by character rather than wealth
A powerful reminder that virtues attributed to the rich are often illusory
Sharpens awareness of social hypocrisy and flattery toward the wealthy
Encourages humility in prosperity and dignity in modest means
A memorable verse for teaching ethics, value education and critical thinking
Inspires the seeker to value true merit over outward riches
How to Chant Yasyasti Vittam Sa Narah Kulinah
Recite the verse slowly, savouring its irony, and reflect on how often the world's praise follows money rather than merit. Read it as a mirror for one's own attitudes — do we respect people for who they are or for what they own? It is best contemplated rather than ritually repeated, used as a daily reminder to honour genuine character over wealth.