परोपदेशे पाण्डित्यम् — Word-by-Word Meaning
परोपदेशे पाण्डित्यम्
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
परोपदेशे
paropadeśe
in advising others, in instructing others
पाण्डित्यम्
pāṇḍityam
scholarliness, cleverness, expertise
सर्वेषाम्
sarveṣām
of all, for everyone
सुकरम्
sukaram
easy to do, effortless
नृणाम्
nṛṇām
for men, for people
धर्मे
dharme
in (the practice of) righteousness, in duty
स्वीयम्
svīyam
one's own, personal
अनुष्ठानम्
anuṣṭhānam
practice, actual performance, observance
कस्यचित्
kasyacit
of some (rare) one
तु
tu
but, however
महात्मनः
mahātmanaḥ
of a great soul, of a noble person
Complete Translation
दूसरों को उपदेश देने में पाण्डित्य दिखाना सभी मनुष्यों के लिए सरल है; परन्तु धर्म का स्वयं आचरण करना किसी विरले महात्मा के लिए ही सम्भव होता है। यह श्लोक मृदु व्यंग्य से उपदेश देने और आचरण करने के बीच के अन्तर को उजागर करता है और स्मरण कराता है कि वाणी में दिखाई गई बुद्धि सामान्य है, जबकि कर्म में जी गई बुद्धि दुर्लभ है।
Origin & History
Source: Subhashita (Sanskrit niti tradition)
Author: Anonymous (traditional Subhashita)
Period: Classical Sanskrit literature
The Subhashita tradition gathers thousands of polished verses on wisdom, ethics and worldly conduct, passed down through anthologies and oral teaching. This verse belongs among the niti-shlokas that hold up a mirror to human nature. Its enduring popularity comes from a truth everyone recognises — that giving advice is far easier than following it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Paropadeshe Panditeyam mean?▼
It means that being clever or scholarly when advising others is easy for everyone, but actually practising righteousness oneself is achieved only by some rare great soul. It is a witty observation on the difference between preaching and living virtue.
Where is this verse from?▼
It is a well-known Subhashita (wise saying) from the broad Sanskrit Subhashita tradition, often cited in collections of niti (ethical) verses for its sharp and universal insight.
What is the key teaching of this Subhashita?▼
That integrity lies in practising what we preach. Anyone can give good advice; only the truly noble live by the dharma they recommend to others. It is a caution against hypocrisy and a call to walk one's talk.
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