मा कुरु धन यौवन गर्वम् — Word-by-Word Meaning
मा कुरु धन यौवन गर्वम्
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
मा कुरु
Ma kuru
Do not make / do not have
धन
Dhana
Wealth, riches
यौवन
Yauvana
Youth
गर्वं
Garvam
Pride, arrogance, conceit
हरति
Harati
Snatches away, seizes, takes
निमेषात्
Nimeshat
In the twinkling of an eye, in an instant
कालः
Kalah
Time (as death)
सर्वम्
Sarvam
Everything, all of it
मायामयम्
Mayamayam
Made of illusion, full of Maya
इदम् अखिलं
Idam akhilam
This whole (world), all of this
हित्वा
Hitva
Having abandoned, giving up
ब्रह्मपदं
Brahmapadam
The state/abode of Brahman, the Supreme Reality
प्रविश
Pravisha
Enter, merge into
विदित्वा
Viditva
Having known, having realized
Complete Translation
धन, जन और यौवन का गर्व मत कर; काल क्षण भर में इन सबको हर लेता है। इस समस्त मायामय जगत् को त्यागकर, ब्रह्मपद को जानकर उसमें प्रवेश कर।
Origin & History
Source: Bhaja Govindam (Moha Mudgara), verse on pride and impermanence
Author: Adi Shankaracharya
Period: 8th century CE (circa 788-820)
This verse is part of Adi Shankaracharya's Bhaja Govindam, sung in Varanasi to shatter the delusions of the worldly mind. Among the hymn's teachings on the transience of body and relationships, this shloka strikes directly at human pride — in riches, in youth, and in power over others. Shankaracharya reminds the seeker that Time devours all such things in a moment, and that only by renouncing the illusory world and knowing Brahman can one find what is imperishable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Ma Kuru Dhana Yauvana Garvam' mean?▼
It means 'Do not take pride in wealth, youth (and people).' Adi Shankaracharya warns that Time can snatch all of these away in an instant, so one should not be intoxicated by them but instead seek the eternal Brahman.
What is 'Brahmapadam' that the verse speaks of?▼
Brahmapadam means 'the state or abode of Brahman' — the supreme, changeless Reality. The verse urges us to give up the illusory world (Maya) and, through true knowledge (viditva), enter and abide in that ultimate state.
Why does Shankaracharya call the world 'Mayamaya'?▼
'Mayamaya' means 'made of illusion.' In Advaita Vedanta, the ever-changing world is real only as an appearance; clinging to it as permanent causes suffering. Recognizing it as Maya frees the seeker to pursue the unchanging Self.
Where is this verse from?▼
It is from Bhaja Govindam (Moha Mudgara) by Adi Shankaracharya, composed in the 8th century CE. It is one of the hymn's most pointed teachings on humility and impermanence.
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