गतं शोको न कर्तव्यो — Word-by-Word Meaning
गतं शोको न कर्तव्यो
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
गतम्
gatam
that which is gone, the past
शोकः
śokaḥ
grief, sorrow, lamentation
न कर्तव्यः
na kartavyaḥ
should not be done / one should not (grieve)
भविष्यम्
bhaviṣyam
the future, that which is yet to come
न एव
na eva
not at all, never
चिन्तयेत्
cintayet
one should worry about / brood over
वर्तमानेन
vartamānena
with the present
कालेन
kālena
time
वर्तयन्ति
vartayanti
live, carry on, conduct their lives
विचक्षणाः
vicakṣaṇāḥ
the wise, the discerning, the clear-sighted
Complete Translation
जो बीत गया उसका शोक नहीं करना चाहिए, और जो आने वाला है उसकी चिन्ता भी नहीं करनी चाहिए; बुद्धिमान लोग केवल वर्तमान काल में ही अपना जीवन व्यतीत करते हैं। चाणक्य स्थिर मन का रहस्य सिखाते हैं — बीते हुए का पश्चाताप और आने वाले की चिन्ता छोड़कर जीवन के वर्तमान क्षण में पूर्णतया कर्म करना।
Origin & History
Source: Chanakya Niti
Author: Chanakya (Vishnugupta / Kautilya)
Period: Ancient India (c. 4th–3rd century BCE)
Chanakya, whose counsel raised an empire, knew that great undertakings demand a mind unclouded by regret or fear. This verse captures that practical wisdom: he holds up the vicakshana — the clear-sighted — as those who neither mourn the past nor dread the future, but give themselves wholly to the present, and so act with clarity and calm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does 'Gatam Shoko Na Kartavyah' come from?▼
It is a famous verse from the Chanakya Niti (Niti Darpana), the collection of aphorisms attributed to Chanakya (Kautilya / Vishnugupta), the ancient Indian teacher of ethics, statecraft and practical wisdom.
What is the central teaching of this verse?▼
That the wise neither lament the past nor fret over the future, but live fully in the present. By letting go of regret and anxiety, one keeps the mind clear and steady, which is the foundation of both peace and effective action.
How is this verse useful for daily life?▼
It is a concise antidote to overthinking. When the mind is pulled into old sorrows or future fears, recalling this verse helps bring attention back to the present, where alone life can actually be lived and right action taken.
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