एकेनापि सुवृक्षेण — Word-by-Word Meaning
एकेनापि सुवृक्षेण
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
एकेन अपि
ekena api
by even a single one
सुवृक्षेण
suvṛkṣeṇa
by a good (fine) tree
पुष्पितेन
puṣpitena
that is in bloom, flowering
सुगन्धिना
sugandhinā
fragrant, sweet-smelling
वासितम्
vāsitam
is made fragrant, is perfumed
तत् वनम्
tat vanam
that forest, that grove
सर्वम्
sarvam
the whole, the entire
सुपुत्रेण
suputreṇa
by a good (virtuous) son
कुलम्
kulam
the family, the lineage
यथा
yathā
just as, in the same way
Complete Translation
जैसे एक ही सुन्दर, पुष्पित और सुगन्धित वृक्ष सम्पूर्ण वन को अपनी सुगन्ध से भर देता है, वैसे ही एक सुपुत्र अपने सम्पूर्ण कुल को सुवासित (गौरवान्वित) कर देता है। यह श्लोक संख्या पर गुण की श्रेष्ठता बताता है: एक सचमुच सुयोग्य सन्तान, एक खिले हुए वृक्ष के समान, अपने चारों ओर सबको उज्ज्वल करने के लिए पर्याप्त है।
Origin & History
Source: Chanakya Niti
Author: Chanakya (Kautilya / Vishnugupta)
Period: Ancient India (c. 4th–3rd century BCE)
Chanakya, the great teacher of ethics and statecraft, gathered pithy verses of practical wisdom that have been transmitted for over two millennia. This verse, among his most beloved, uses the image of a single fragrant tree scenting an entire forest to teach that one virtuous child brings honour to a whole lineage — a vivid lesson on the supremacy of quality over quantity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Ekena Api Suvrikshena come from?▼
It is a celebrated subhashita preserved in the Chanakya Niti, the collection of ethical and worldly aphorisms attributed to Chanakya (Kautilya). It is one of the most quoted verses praising quality over quantity.
What is the central teaching of this shloka?▼
That one excellent example outweighs many mediocre ones. Just as a single flowering, fragrant tree can perfume an entire forest, a single virtuous child brings honour to a whole family — so character and quality matter far more than numbers.
Is this verse only about sons?▼
Though the verse literally says 'suputra' (a good son), in keeping with its age its spirit applies to any virtuous child or person. Its real lesson is universal: one life of genuine goodness ennobles everyone connected to it.
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