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subhashitabhartrhariniti-shatakahumility

Bhavanti Namras Taravah Phalodgamaih

भवन्ति नम्रास्तरवः फलोद्गमैः in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 3× repetitions·🕐 Morning reflection, or in moments of success, achievement or recognition·📜 Niti Shataka of Bhartrhari (Subhashita)
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हिन्दी / देवनागरीతెలుగుதமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡമലയാളംગુજરાતીবাংলাଓଡ଼ିଆਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

This beloved verse from Bhartrhari's Niti Shataka teaches that humility is the natural mark of greatness. Just as fruit-laden trees bend low and water-filled clouds sink toward the earth, truly noble and benevolent people grow more modest, not prouder, as their fortunes rise. It is one of Sanskrit literature's most quoted illustrations of the link between abundance, generosity and humility.

Origin & Story

Niti Shataka of Bhartrhari (Subhashita) · Bhartrhari · Classical Sanskrit literature (c. 5th century CE)

In his Niti Shataka, Bhartrhari repeatedly praises the character of the sajjana, the truly good person. Here he turns to nature for his lesson: the heavily fruiting tree and the water-bearing cloud both bend humbly toward the earth. From these images he draws the principle that the benevolent grow more modest as they grow more prosperous, making humility the very signature of a generous soul.

✦ As told in scripture

Teachers of niti often recount how this verse alone has softened proud hearts, for once a person truly sees the bowing tree and the descending cloud as mirrors of the noble soul, arrogance in prosperity begins to feel unnatural and humility becomes its own quiet reward.

The Mantra

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bhavanti namrās taravaḥ phalodgamaiḥ navāmbubhir bhūmi-vilambino ghanāḥ। anuddhatāḥ sat-puruṣāḥ samṛddhibhiḥ svabhāva evaiṣa paropakāriṇām॥

Meaning:Trees bow low under the burden of their fruit; rain-laden clouds hang down close to the earth with fresh water; and noble people remain unassuming in the midst of their prosperity — for this very humility is the natural disposition of those who live to benefit others. Bhartrhari draws on nature itself to show that true greatness expresses itself through gentleness, not arrogance.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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bhavanti🔊become, are
namrāḥ🔊bent low, humble, bowing down
taravaḥ🔊trees
phalodgamaiḥ🔊by the appearance/burden of fruit
navāmbubhiḥ🔊with fresh (rain) water
bhūmi-vilambinaḥ🔊hanging low toward the earth
ghanāḥ🔊clouds
anuddhatāḥ🔊unarrogant, free of pride, not haughty
sat-puruṣāḥ🔊good and noble people, the virtuous
samṛddhibhiḥ🔊by/with prosperity, riches, abundance
svabhāvaḥ🔊natural disposition, innate nature
eva eṣaḥ🔊this indeed (is)
paropakāriṇām🔊of the benevolent, those who help others

Benefits of Chanting भवन्ति नम्रास्तरवः फलोद्गमैः

✦

Cultivates humility and grace, especially in times of success and abundance

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Teaches that true greatness reveals itself through gentleness, not pride

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Inspires a spirit of selfless service (paropakara) toward others

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A beautiful nature-based meditation for daily character reflection

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Counters arrogance and ego as one grows in wealth, status or knowledge

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A timeless verse for value education and self-cultivation

How to Chant भवन्ति नम्रास्तरवः फलोद्गमैः

Repetitions3times
Best TimeMorning reflection, or in moments of success, achievement or recognition

Recite the verse and picture its three images — the fruit-laden tree bowing, the rain cloud sinking low, the noble person staying humble in prosperity. Let each image deepen your resolve to remain unassuming and generous. It is best used as a contemplative reminder to meet success with humility and to serve others quietly.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete भवन्ति नम्रास्तरवः फलोद्गमैः written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.
Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.
It means 'trees become bent low by the burden of fruit.' The full verse compares fruit-laden trees and rain-filled clouds, which both bow toward the earth, to noble people who remain humble amid prosperity — showing that humility is the natural way of the benevolent.
It is from the Niti Shataka of Bhartrhari, the renowned Sanskrit poet-philosopher, in his hundred verses on ethics and right living.
That genuine greatness and prosperity should make a person more humble and giving, not more arrogant. The natural world itself models this: abundance causes the tree and the cloud to bend low, just as it makes the noble person gentle and unassuming.

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