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Vrikshams Chhittva Pashun Hatva

वृक्षांश्छित्त्वा पशून् हत्वा in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 3× repetitions·🕐 Anytime, especially while reflecting on compassion, non-violence and care for nature·📜 Subhashita (Sanskrit niti literature)

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हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

Vrikshams Chhittva Pashun Hatva is a powerful Subhashita that challenges the idea that heaven can be earned through violence. With biting logic it asks: if cutting trees, killing animals and creating a mire of blood lead to heaven, then what could possibly lead to hell? The verse stands as a timeless plea for compassion (ahimsa) and reverence for all life as the genuine measure of dharma.

Origin & Story

Subhashita (Sanskrit niti literature) · Traditional (anonymous wisdom verse) · Classical Sanskrit literature

This verse belongs to the Subhashita tradition of incisive moral sayings and is frequently cited in the great Indian discourse on ahimsa. It echoes the spirit of the Mahabharata's teaching that 'ahimsa paramo dharmah' — non-violence is the highest virtue — by confronting the listener with the stark contradiction of trying to win heaven through the destruction of life, and so steering the heart toward compassion.

✦ As told in scripture

Sages have long used this single piercing question to awaken conscience where sermons failed — for once a person truly weighs that violence cannot purchase heaven, the heart turns of its own accord toward kindness and the protection of all that lives.

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The Mantra

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vṛkṣāṁś chittvā paśūn hatvā kṛtvā rudhira-kardamam। yady evaṁ gamyate svargaṁ narakaḥ kena gamyate॥

Meaning:If heaven is to be reached by felling trees, slaughtering animals and making a mire of blood, then by what deed is hell to be reached? This pointed verse questions the cruelty of rituals and acts that destroy life, and upholds compassion and non-violence as the true path of dharma.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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vṛkṣān🔊trees

chittvā🔊having cut down, having felled

paśūn🔊animals, beasts

hatvā🔊having killed, having slain

kṛtvā🔊having made, having created

rudhira-kardamam🔊a mire of blood, mud mixed with blood

yadi🔊if

evam🔊in this way, thus, by such means

gamyate🔊one goes, is reached, is attained

svargam🔊heaven, the celestial world

narakaḥ🔊hell, the infernal world

kena🔊by what (means), by what deed

Benefits of Chanting वृक्षांश्छित्त्वा पशून् हत्वा

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Upholds ahimsa (non-violence) and compassion as the heart of true dharma

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Encourages reverence and protection for trees, animals and all living beings

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Challenges blind ritualism that justifies cruelty in the name of religion

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Sharpens moral reasoning about the real consequences of our actions

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Inspires an ecological and ethical sensitivity toward nature

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A memorable verse for reflection on right conduct and kindness to all life

How to Chant वृक्षांश्छित्त्वा पशून् हत्वा

Repetitions3times

Best TimeAnytime, especially while reflecting on compassion, non-violence and care for nature

Recite the verse and let its sharp question settle in the mind — if violence could earn heaven, what would earn hell? Use it to renew a commitment to ahimsa and kindness toward animals, trees and all living beings. It is a fitting reflection before acts of charity, environmental care, or any choice between cruelty and compassion.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete वृक्षांश्छित्त्वा पशून् हत्वा 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 asks: if one reaches heaven by cutting down trees, killing animals and making a mire of blood, then by what deed does one reach hell? It is a powerful rhetorical challenge to violence done in the name of religion, affirming non-violence as true dharma.

It promotes ahimsa — non-violence and compassion toward all living beings. By exposing the contradiction of seeking heaven through cruelty, it teaches that reverence for life, not slaughter, is the genuine path of righteousness.

It is a celebrated Subhashita of the Sanskrit niti tradition, often quoted in discussions of ahimsa and the critique of violent ritual. Its spirit aligns closely with the Mahabharata's repeated teaching that non-violence is the highest dharma.