subhashitawisdomnitiahimsa

වෘක්ෂාංශ්ඡිත්ත්වා පශූන් හත්වා

वृक्षांश्छित्त्वा पशून् हत्वा in Sinhala · සිංහල

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

Read in your language / script

हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ Englishසිංහල𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

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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වෘක්ෂාංශ්ඡිත්ත්වා පශූන් හත්වා කෘත්වා රුධිරකර්දමම්. යද්යේවං ගම්යතේ ස්වර්ගං නරකඃ කේන ගම්යතේ..

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

Meaning:यदि वृक्षों को काटकर, पशुओं का वध करके, और रक्त का कीचड़ बनाकर स्वर्ग प्राप्त किया जाता है, तो फिर नरक किस कर्म से प्राप्त होता है? यह तीखा श्लोक उन कर्मकाण्डों और कृत्यों की क्रूरता पर प्रश्न करता है जो जीवन का नाश करते हैं, और करुणा एवं अहिंसा को धर्म का सच्चा मार्ग बताता है।

Word-by-Word Meaning

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වෘක්ෂාන්🔊vṛkṣāntrees

ඡිත්ත්වා🔊chittvāhaving cut down, having felled

පශූන්🔊paśūnanimals, beasts

හත්වා🔊hatvāhaving killed, having slain

කෘත්වා🔊kṛtvāhaving made, having created

රුධිරකර්දමම්🔊rudhira-kardamama mire of blood, mud mixed with blood

යදි🔊yadiif

ඒවම්🔊evamin this way, thus, by such means

ගම්යතේ🔊gamyateone goes, is reached, is attained

ස්වර්ගම්🔊svargamheaven, the celestial world

නරකඃ🔊narakaḥhell, the infernal world

කේන🔊kenaby 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 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 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.