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Nindantu Niti-Nipunah

निन्दन्तु नीतिनिपुणाः in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 3× repetitions·🕐 Morning, or whenever facing a difficult moral test or hard decision·📜 Bhartrhari Niti Shataka
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हिन्दी / देवनागरीతెలుగుதமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡമലയാളംગુજરાતીবাংলাଓଡ଼ିଆਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

Nindantu Niti-Nipunah is one of Bhartrhari's most celebrated verses on moral courage, from the Niti Shataka. It declares that whatever may come — censure or praise, the arrival or loss of fortune, death today or ages hence — the truly steadfast (dhira) never move a single step from the path of justice. It is a timeless anthem of unwavering integrity and inner resolve.

Origin & Story

Bhartrhari Niti Shataka · Bhartrhari · Classical Sanskrit literature (c. 5th century CE)

The Niti Shataka is the first of Bhartrhari's three celebrated centuries of verse (Shatakatraya), a hundred epigrams on right conduct and the ways of the world. Among its verses extolling firmness of character, this shloka stands out as the grandest declaration of moral steadfastness, portraying the dhira who clings to justice through every reversal of praise, fortune and life itself.

✦ As told in scripture

This verse has steeled the resolve of reformers, judges and seekers of truth for centuries; it is said that those who recite it before a hard moral choice find the strength to do what is right even when the whole world urges otherwise.

The Mantra

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nindantu nītinipuṇā yadi vā stuvantu lakṣmīḥ samāviśatu gacchatu vā yatheṣṭam। adyaiva vā maraṇam astu yugāntare vā nyāyyāt pathaḥ pravicalanti padaṁ na dhīrāḥ॥

Meaning:Let the worldly-wise blame or let them praise; let fortune come and stay or depart at her will; let death come this very day or after an age — yet the resolute never swerve even a single step from the path of justice. The verse celebrates the unshakable integrity of the wise, who hold to righteousness regardless of praise, blame, gain, loss, life or death.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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nindantu🔊let them blame, let them censure
nītinipuṇāḥ🔊those skilled in policy and morals, the worldly-wise
yadi vā stuvantu🔊or else let them praise
lakṣmīḥ samāviśatu🔊let fortune (Lakshmi) come and enter (stay)
gacchatu vā🔊or let her depart, let her go
yatheṣṭam🔊as she pleases, at will
adyaiva vā maraṇam astu🔊or let death come this very day
yugāntare vā🔊or in another age (after a long time)
nyāyyāt pathaḥ🔊from the path of justice, from the righteous road
pravicalanti padaṁ na🔊do not move (their) step away, do not swerve a single step
dhīrāḥ🔊the steadfast, the resolute and wise

Benefits of Chanting निन्दन्तु नीतिनिपुणाः

✦

Instils unshakable commitment to righteousness and justice

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Builds moral courage to remain steadfast amid praise or blame

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Frees the mind from anxiety over gain, loss, success or failure

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Inspires fearlessness in the face of every uncertainty, even death

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A powerful verse for leaders, reformers and anyone tested by adversity

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A short, stirring affirmation of integrity for daily strength

How to Chant निन्दन्तु नीतिनिपुणाः

Repetitions3times
Best TimeMorning, or whenever facing a difficult moral test or hard decision

Recite the verse with firm resolve, dwelling on the final line 'nyāyyāt pathaḥ pravicalanti padaṁ na dhīrāḥ' — the steadfast never swerve from the path of justice. Reflect that praise, blame, fortune and even death are all beyond your control, but holding to righteousness is not. Let it steady the heart before any trial of conscience.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete निन्दन्तु नीतिनिपुणाः written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.
Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.
It is one of the most famous verses of the Niti Shataka by Bhartrhari, a classical Sanskrit collection of a hundred epigrams on ethics and worldly wisdom. It is frequently quoted as the supreme statement of steadfast integrity.
That the truly resolute (dhira) never abandon the path of justice, no matter what befalls them — whether they are praised or blamed, whether fortune comes or goes, and whether death arrives today or far in the future.
The 'dhirah' are the steadfast, courageous and wise — people of firm character who keep to righteousness with calm resolve, undisturbed by external circumstances or fear of consequences.

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