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subhashitawisdombhavabhutiuttara-ramacharita

වජ්රාදපි කඨෝරාණි

वज्रादपि कठोराणि in Sinhala · සිංහල

🕉️ hindu·📿 3× repetitions·🕐 Morning reflection, or while contemplating strength of character and compassion·📜 Subhashita
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हिन्दी / देवनागरीతెలుగుதமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡമലയാളംગુજરાતીবাংলাଓଡ଼ିଆਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

Origin & Story

Subhashita · Bhavabhuti (from the Uttara Ramacharita) · Classical Sanskrit literature (c. 8th century CE)

Bhavabhuti, one of Sanskrit literature's greatest dramatists, composed the Uttara Ramacharita, dramatising the later life of Rama. This verse from the play has long outlived its original context to become a beloved subhashita, marvelling at the paradoxical hearts of great souls — firmer than a diamond before hardship, yet softer than a flower in their love and compassion.

✦ As told in scripture

Lovers of Sanskrit have quoted this verse for centuries to describe heroes, saints and noble hearts in whom strength and gentleness meet. It is said that to recognise this union in another is itself a sign of nobility, for only a deep heart can perceive the depth of another.

The Mantra

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වජ්රාදපි කඨෝරාණි මෘදූනි කුසුමාදපි. ලෝකෝත්තරාණාං චේතාංසි කෝ නු විජ්ඤාතුමර්හති..

vajrād api kaṭhorāṇi mṛdūni kusumād api। lokottarāṇāṁ cetāṁsi ko nu vijñātum arhati॥

Meaning:वज्र से भी कठोर, फिर भी पुष्प से भी कोमल — महान एवं लोकोत्तर पुरुषों के हृदय को भला कौन पूर्णतः समझ सकता है? यह श्लोक इस विस्मय को व्यक्त करता है कि श्रेष्ठतम आत्माएँ विपत्ति में अटूट रूप से दृढ़ और करुणा में अत्यन्त कोमल — दोनों एक साथ होती हैं, जो साधारण समझ से परे एक विरोधाभास है।

Word-by-Word Meaning

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වජ්රාත් අපි🔊vajrād apieven than a thunderbolt / diamond (vajra)
කඨෝරාණි🔊kaṭhorāṇiharder, firmer, more unyielding
මෘදූනි🔊mṛdūnisofter, tenderer, more delicate
කුසුමාත් අපි🔊kusumād apieven than a flower
ලෝකෝත්තරාණාම්🔊lokottarāṇāmof the extraordinary ones, of those who transcend the world (great souls)
චේතාංසි🔊cetāṁsithe hearts, the minds
කඃ නු🔊kaḥ nuwho indeed, who at all
විජ්ඤාතුම්🔊vijñātumto understand, to fully comprehend
අර්හති🔊arhatiis able, is fit, deserves (to be able)

Benefits of Chanting वज्रादपि कठोराणि

✦

Celebrates the rare union of unshakeable strength and gentle compassion

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Inspires firmness in adversity together with tenderness toward others

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Offers a profound ideal of noble, well-rounded character

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A beautiful reflection on the mystery and depth of great souls

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Encourages cultivating both resilience and kindness in oneself

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A short, memorable verse cherished in classical Sanskrit literature

How to Chant वज्रादपि कठोराणि

Repetitions3times
Best TimeMorning reflection, or while contemplating strength of character and compassion

Recite the verse slowly, holding together its two images — harder than diamond, softer than a flower. Reflect on how true greatness blends unbreakable resolve with deep tenderness, and aspire to embody both. It is widely quoted in appreciation of noble character and in the study of Bhavabhuti's classical drama.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete वज्रादपि कठोराणि written in the Sinhala 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 a famous verse from the Sanskrit drama Uttara Ramacharita by the great poet-dramatist Bhavabhuti. It is widely quoted as a description of the paradoxical nature of noble, extraordinary souls.
That the hearts of great souls are simultaneously harder than a diamond — utterly firm in adversity — and softer than a flower in their compassion. This rare combination of strength and tenderness is so extraordinary that no ordinary person can fully comprehend it.
Lokottara means 'beyond the world' — extraordinary, transcendent, out of the ordinary. It describes great souls whose character rises far above common human nature, blending firmness and gentleness in a way that astonishes everyone.

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