𑌚𑌲𑌾 𑌲𑌕𑍍𑌷𑍍𑌮𑍀𑌶𑍍𑌚𑌲𑌾𑌃 𑌪𑍍𑌰𑌾𑌣𑌾𑌃
चला लक्ष्मीश्चलाः प्राणाः in Grantha · 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥
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Origin & Story
Subhashita (Sanskrit niti and vairagya literature) · Traditional (anonymous wisdom verse) · Classical Sanskrit literature
This verse belongs to the Subhashita tradition of reflective sayings on the fleeting nature of worldly life. Composed to awaken detachment and noble aspiration, it lists in quick succession the things people hold most dear — wealth, life, youth — and shows each to be unsteady, before turning the listener toward the one enduring treasure: an honourable name won through good deeds, by which a person lives on long after death.
✦ As told in scripture
It is often said that the heroes and sages of old are present among us still through this very truth — their bodies long gone, yet their fame undimmed across the ages — proving the verse's promise that he whose kirti endures never truly dies.
The Mantra
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𑌚𑌲𑌾 𑌲𑌕𑍍𑌷𑍍𑌮𑍀𑌶𑍍𑌚𑌲𑌾𑌃 𑌪𑍍𑌰𑌾𑌣𑌾𑌶𑍍𑌚𑌲𑌂 𑌜𑍀𑌵𑌿𑌤𑌯𑍗𑌵𑌨𑌮𑍍। 𑌚𑌲𑌾𑌚𑌲𑌮𑌿𑌦𑌂 𑌸𑌰𑍍𑌵𑌂 𑌕𑍀𑌰𑍍𑌤𑌿𑌰𑍍𑌯𑌸𑍍𑌯 𑌸 𑌜𑍀𑌵𑌤𑌿॥
calā lakṣmīś calāḥ prāṇāś calaṁ jīvita-yauvanam। calācalam idaṁ sarvaṁ kīrtir yasya sa jīvati॥
Meaning:लक्ष्मी (धन) चंचल है, प्राण चंचल हैं, जीवन और यौवन भी चंचल हैं; यह सम्पूर्ण संसार चलायमान और अस्थिर है — केवल वही सचमुच जीवित रहता है जिसकी कीर्ति (सुयश) स्थायी होती है। यह श्लोक सिखाता है कि चूँकि समस्त सांसारिक वस्तुएँ नश्वर हैं, अतः श्रेष्ठ कर्मों से अर्जित चिरस्थायी कीर्ति ही जीवन को सच्चा अर्थ देती है।
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting चला लक्ष्मीश्चलाः प्राणाः
Cultivates detachment (vairagya) by reflecting on the impermanence of all things
Inspires the pursuit of a lasting good name through virtuous deeds
Frees the mind from excessive attachment to wealth, youth and possessions
Encourages a life of meaning, service and noble achievement
Brings peace by placing worldly gains and losses in their true perspective
A profound verse for daily contemplation on what truly endures
How to Chant चला लक्ष्मीश्चलाः प्राणाः
Recite the verse slowly, dwelling on how wealth, life and youth all pass away while a good name endures. Let it loosen any anxious clinging to possessions or status, and inspire you instead to live so that your deeds and reputation outlast you. It is an excellent verse for cultivating equanimity and a sense of lasting purpose.
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