Mantra.Tips

कौपीनपञ्चकम् Meaning — Line by Line

कौपीनपञ्चकम्

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of कौपीनपञ्चकम् with its Hindi meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

Jump to a verse ▾
  1. Verse 1. vedānta-vākyeṣu sadā ramanto
  2. Verse 2. mūlaṃ taroḥ kevalam āśrayantaḥ
  3. Verse 3. svānanda-bhāve parituṣṭimantaḥ
  4. Verse 4. dehādi-bhāvaṃ parivartayantaḥ
  5. Verse 5. brahmākṣaraṃ pāvanam uccaranto
Verse 1#

vedānta-vākyeṣu sadā ramanto

वेदान्तवाक्येषु सदा रमन्तो भिक्षान्नमात्रेण तुष्टिमन्तः। विशोकमन्तःकरणे चरन्तः कौपीनवन्तः खलु भाग्यवन्तः॥१॥

vedānta-vākyeṣu sadā ramanto bhikṣānna-mātreṇa ca tuṣṭimantaḥ | viśokam antaḥkaraṇe carantaḥ kaupīnavantaḥ khalu bhāgyavantaḥ ||1||

Meaningवेदान्त के महावाक्यों में सदा रमने वाला, भिक्षा में मिले अन्न मात्र से ही संतुष्ट, शोकरहित अन्तःकरण से विचरण करने वाला — कौपीनधारी (केवल लंगोटी वाला) संन्यासी वास्तव में भाग्यशाली है।

Verse 2#

mūlaṃ taroḥ kevalam āśrayantaḥ

मूलं तरोः केवलमाश्रयन्तः पाणिद्वयं भोक्तुममन्त्रयन्तः। कन्थामिव श्रीमपि कुत्सयन्तः कौपीनवन्तः खलु भाग्यवन्तः॥२॥

mūlaṃ taroḥ kevalam āśrayantaḥ pāṇidvayaṃ bhoktum amantrayantaḥ | kanthām iva śrīm api kutsayantaḥ kaupīnavantaḥ khalu bhāgyavantaḥ ||2||

Meaningकेवल वृक्ष के मूल का आश्रय लेने वाला, अपने दोनों हाथों को ही भोजन-पात्र बनाने वाला, लक्ष्मी (धन) को भी फटे चीथड़े के समान तुच्छ समझने वाला — कौपीनधारी संन्यासी वास्तव में भाग्यशाली है।

Verse 3#

svānanda-bhāve parituṣṭimantaḥ

स्वानन्दभावे परितुष्टिमन्तः सुशान्तसर्वेन्द्रियवृत्तिमन्तः। अहर्निशं ब्रह्मसुखे रमन्तः कौपीनवन्तः खलु भाग्यवन्तः॥३॥

svānanda-bhāve parituṣṭimantaḥ suśānta-sarvendriya-vṛttimantaḥ | aharniśaṃ brahmasukhe ramantaḥ kaupīnavantaḥ khalu bhāgyavantaḥ ||3||

Meaningअपने आत्मानन्द में पूर्ण संतुष्ट, जिसकी समस्त इन्द्रिय-वृत्तियाँ भली-भाँति शान्त हैं, दिन-रात ब्रह्मसुख में रमने वाला — कौपीनधारी संन्यासी वास्तव में भाग्यशाली है।

Verse 4#

dehādi-bhāvaṃ parivartayantaḥ

देहादिभावं परिवर्तयन्तः स्वात्मानमात्मन्यवलोकयन्तः। नान्तं मध्यं बहिः स्मरन्तः कौपीनवन्तः खलु भाग्यवन्तः॥४॥

dehādi-bhāvaṃ parivartayantaḥ svātmānam ātmany avalokayantaḥ | nāntaṃ na madhyaṃ na bahiḥ smarantaḥ kaupīnavantaḥ khalu bhāgyavantaḥ ||4||

Meaningदेहादि के भाव (तादात्म्य) से ऊपर उठा हुआ, अपने आत्मा को आत्मा में ही देखने वाला, आदि-मध्य-बाह्य का स्मरण न करने वाला — कौपीनधारी संन्यासी वास्तव में भाग्यशाली है।

Verse 5#

brahmākṣaraṃ pāvanam uccaranto

ब्रह्माक्षरं पावनमुच्चरन्तो ब्रह्माहमस्मीति विभावयन्तः। भिक्षाशिनो दिक्षु परिभ्रमन्तः कौपीनवन्तः खलु भाग्यवन्तः॥५॥

brahmākṣaraṃ pāvanam uccaranto brahmāham asmīti vibhāvayantaḥ | bhikṣāśino dikṣu paribhramantaḥ kaupīnavantaḥ khalu bhāgyavantaḥ ||5||

Meaningपावन अक्षरब्रह्म (ॐ) का उच्चारण करते हुए, 'मैं ब्रह्म हूँ' इस भावना में स्थित, भिक्षा पर जीवन यापन करते हुए सभी दिशाओं में स्वच्छन्द विचरण करने वाला — कौपीनधारी संन्यासी वास्तव में भाग्यशाली है।

Word-by-Word Breakdown

वेदान्तवाक्येषु
vedānta-vākyeṣu
in the great sayings (mahavakyas) of Vedanta
सदा रमन्तः
sadā ramantaḥ
always delighting, ever revelling
भिक्षान्नमात्रेण
bhikṣānna-mātreṇa
with only food obtained as alms
तुष्टिमन्तः
tuṣṭimantaḥ
fully content, satisfied
विशोकम्
viśokam
free from sorrow
अन्तःकरणे
antaḥkaraṇe
in the inner instrument, the heart-mind
चरन्तः
carantaḥ
moving about, wandering
कौपीनवन्तः
kaupīnavantaḥ
those who possess only a loincloth (kaupina)
खलु भाग्यवन्तः
khalu bhāgyavantaḥ
are indeed the truly fortunate / blessed ones
मूलं तरोः
mūlaṃ taroḥ
the foot (root) of a tree
केवलम् आश्रयन्तः
kevalam āśrayantaḥ
taking shelter under that alone
पाणिद्वयम्
pāṇidvayam
the two hands (used as a begging bowl/plate)
कन्थाम् इव श्रीम् अपि कुत्सयन्तः
kanthām iva śrīm api kutsayantaḥ
scorning even wealth (Lakshmi) as if it were a tattered rag
स्वानन्दभावे
svānanda-bhāve
in the state of one's own (innate) bliss
सुशान्तसर्वेन्द्रियवृत्तिमन्तः
suśānta-sarvendriya-vṛttimantaḥ
with all sense-activities perfectly stilled
अहर्निशं ब्रह्मसुखे रमन्तः
aharniśaṃ brahmasukhe ramantaḥ
delighting day and night in the bliss of Brahman
देहादिभावं परिवर्तयन्तः
dehādi-bhāvaṃ parivartayantaḥ
transcending (turning away from) identification with the body and the like
स्वात्मानम् आत्मनि अवलोकयन्तः
svātmānam ātmani avalokayantaḥ
beholding one's own Self within the Self
ब्रह्माक्षरं पावनम् उच्चरन्तः
brahmākṣaraṃ pāvanam uccarantaḥ
uttering the sacred, purifying syllable of Brahman (Om)
ब्रह्माहम् अस्मि इति विभावयन्तः
brahmāham asmīti vibhāvayantaḥ
contemplating 'I am Brahman' (aham brahmasmi)
भिक्षाशिनः दिक्षु परिभ्रमन्तः
bhikṣāśino dikṣu paribhramantaḥ
living on alms, wandering freely in all directions

Origin & History

Source: Prakarana (independent didactic hymn) ascribed to Adi Shankaracharya

Author: Adi Shankaracharya

Period: Classical (traditionally 8th century CE)

The Kaupina Panchakam, also known as Yati Panchakam, is one of Adi Shankaracharya's short devotional-philosophical hymns extolling the path of renunciation (sannyasa). In just five verses it paints the portrait of the ideal monk who possesses nothing but a kaupina (loincloth), yet is the most fortunate of all beings because he ever abides in the bliss of Brahman. The hymn became a beloved expression of the Advaitic ideal of vairagya (dispassion) and inner fulfillment, recited especially within the Dashanami monastic order founded by Shankara.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'Kaupina Panchakam' mean?
Kaupina means a simple loincloth, the only garment of a renunciate; panchakam means 'a set of five (verses)'. So Kaupina Panchakam is a hymn of five verses praising the loincloth-clad ascetic who has renounced everything for Self-knowledge.
Who composed the Kaupina Panchakam?
It is traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, the great 8th-century teacher of Advaita Vedanta. It is sometimes also called 'Yati Panchakam', 'yati' meaning an ascetic or monk.
What is the meaning of the refrain 'kaupinavantah khalu bhagyavantah'?
It means 'the one who possesses (only) a loincloth is truly the fortunate, blessed one'. The verse declares that the ascetic who owns nothing yet rests in the bliss of Brahman is far more blessed than any wealthy person.
Do I need to be a sannyasi to recite it?
No. While it glorifies the monastic ideal, anyone seeking inner contentment, dispassion and Self-knowledge can recite and contemplate it. Its purpose is to turn the mind inward, away from craving for possessions, toward the lasting joy of the Self.

Ready to start chanting?

See Benefits & How to Chant →