प्रारभ्यते न खलु विघ्नभयेन नीचैः — Word-by-Word Meaning
प्रारभ्यते न खलु विघ्नभयेन नीचैः
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
प्रारभ्यते न
prārabhyate na
is not even begun, is not undertaken
खलु
khalu
indeed, surely
विघ्नभयेन
vighna-bhayena
out of fear of obstacles
नीचैः
nīcaiḥ
by the low (the base, inferior type of people)
प्रारभ्य
prārabhya
having begun, after starting
विघ्नविहताः
vighna-vihatāḥ
struck down by obstacles, beset by hindrances
विरमन्ति
viramanti
stop, give up, desist
मध्याः
madhyāḥ
the middling, the mediocre type of people
विघ्नैः
vighnaiḥ
by obstacles, by hindrances
पुनः पुनः अपि
punaḥ punar api
again and again, repeatedly
प्रतिहन्यमानाः
pratihanyamānāḥ
being struck back, being beaten down
प्रारब्धम्
prārabdham
the undertaking, the work begun
उत्तमजनाः
uttama-janāḥ
the noblest of people, the highest type
न परित्यजन्ति
na parityajanti
do not abandon, never give up
Complete Translation
नीच (निम्न श्रेणी के) लोग विघ्नों के भय से कार्य आरम्भ ही नहीं करते। मध्यम (साधारण) लोग कार्य आरम्भ तो करते हैं, किन्तु विघ्न आते ही रुक जाते हैं। परन्तु उत्तम (श्रेष्ठ) जन, बार-बार विघ्नों से आहत होने पर भी, आरम्भ किए हुए कार्य को कभी नहीं छोड़ते। यह श्लोक सभी मनुष्यों को तीन श्रेणियों में बाँटकर सच्चे महापुरुषों की अटूट दृढ़ता की प्रशंसा करता है।
Origin & History
Source: Bhartrhari Niti Shataka
Author: Bhartrhari
Period: Classical Sanskrit literature (c. 5th century CE)
The Niti Shataka is the first of Bhartrhari's three celebrated centuries of verse, a hundred epigrams on right conduct, perseverance and the ways of the world. This shloka is among its most beloved, dividing humanity into three types by their response to obstacles and crowning the highest with the glory of never abandoning a task once begun — a timeless anthem of perseverance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Prarabhyate Na Khalu Vighna Bhayena come from?▼
It is one of the most famous verses of the Niti Shataka of Bhartrhari, his classical century of verses on ethics and worldly wisdom. It is widely quoted as a teaching on perseverance and the resolve of great souls.
What are the three types of people described?▼
The lowest (nicha) never begin a task out of fear of obstacles; the middling (madhya) begin but give up at the first difficulty; and the highest (uttama) keep going even when struck down by obstacles again and again, never abandoning what they began.
Why is this verse so often quoted for motivation?▼
Because it sets a clear, inspiring ideal: greatness is defined not by avoiding obstacles but by refusing to quit despite them. It challenges the listener to rise to the highest type and persevere through every hindrance.
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