श्रोत्रं श्रुतेनैव न कुण्डलेन — Word-by-Word Meaning
श्रोत्रं श्रुतेनैव न कुण्डलेन
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
श्रोत्रम्
śrotram
the ear
श्रुतेन एव
śrutena eva
by sacred learning alone, by the hearing of scripture
न कुण्डलेन
na kuṇḍalena
not by an earring
दानेन
dānena
by charity, by giving
पाणिः
pāṇiḥ
the hand
न तु कङ्कणेन
na tu kaṅkaṇena
not by a bracelet
विभाति
vibhāti
shines, is resplendent, looks beautiful
कायः
kāyaḥ
the body
करुणापराणाम्
karuṇāparāṇām
of the compassionate ones, of those devoted to mercy
परोपकारैः
paropakāraiḥ
by acts of kindness to others, by benevolence
न तु चन्दनेन
na tu candanena
not by sandalwood paste
Complete Translation
कान श्रुति (शास्त्र-श्रवण) से ही शोभित होता है, कुण्डल से नहीं; हाथ दान से शोभता है, कंगन से नहीं। करुणाशील व्यक्तियों का शरीर परोपकार से सुशोभित होता है, चन्दन के लेप से नहीं। यह श्लोक सिखाता है कि मनुष्य के सच्चे आभूषण विद्या, दान और परोपकार हैं — न कि गहने या प्रसाधन।
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 (Shatakatraya), gathering a hundred epigrams on right conduct and the ways of the world. Among its verses on virtue and character, this shloka beautifully lists the genuine ornaments of a human being — learning, charity and compassion — declaring them far superior to earrings, bracelets and sandal paste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the verse Shrotram Shrutenaiva Na Kundalena come from?▼
It is a celebrated subhashita from the Niti Shataka of Bhartrhari, a classical Sanskrit collection of a hundred verses on ethics and worldly wisdom. It is among the most quoted verses on the true ornaments of a person.
What is the central teaching of this shloka?▼
That a person's real ornaments are inner virtues, not jewellery. The ear is adorned by learning (not earrings), the hand by charity (not bracelets), and the body by acts of kindness (not sandal paste).
What does 'paropakara' mean in this verse?▼
Paropakara means benevolence — doing good to others, selfless service and kindness. The verse says it is this, not cosmetics or finery, that makes the body of a compassionate person truly shine.
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