यस्य न विद्या न तपो न दानम् — Word-by-Word Meaning
यस्य न विद्या न तपो न दानम्
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
यस्य
yasya
of whom, whoever has
न विद्या
na vidyā
no knowledge, no learning
न तपः
na tapaḥ
no austerity, no penance
न दानम्
na dānam
no charity, no giving
ज्ञानम्
jñānam
spiritual wisdom, discernment
न शीलम्
na śīlam
no good character, no moral conduct
न गुणः
na guṇaḥ
no virtue, no merit
न धर्मः
na dharmaḥ
no righteousness, no observance of duty
ते
te
they, those people
मर्त्यलोके
martyaloke
in the world of mortals
भुवि
bhuvi
on the earth
भारभूताः
bhārabhūtāḥ
being a burden, existing as a load (on the earth)
मनुष्यरूपेण
manuṣyarūpeṇa
in the form of a human being
मृगाः
mṛgāḥ
beasts, animals
चरन्ति
caranti
wander, roam about, move
Complete Translation
जिनके पास न विद्या है, न तप, न दान, न ज्ञान, न शील, न गुण, और न धर्म — वे इस मर्त्यलोक में पृथ्वी पर केवल भारस्वरूप हैं, और मनुष्य के रूप में पशुओं की भाँति विचरते हैं। यह कठोर श्लोक सच्ची मनुष्यता को बाह्य रूप से नहीं, अपितु आन्तरिक गुणों से आँकता है।
Origin & History
Source: Niti Shataka of Bhartrhari
Author: Bhartrhari
Period: Classical Sanskrit literature (c. 5th century CE)
The Niti Shataka is the first of Bhartrhari's three famous centuries of verse, a collection of a hundred polished couplets on right conduct, wisdom and the ways of the world. In this verse Bhartrhari turns his sharp moral gaze upon the difference between the form of a human and the substance of one, declaring that without the inner riches of learning and virtue a person is no better than a beast that happens to wear a human shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who composed the verse Yasya Na Vidya Na Tapo Na Danam?▼
It is from the Niti Shataka of Bhartrhari, the renowned Sanskrit poet-philosopher whose three centuries of verses (Shatakatraya) on ethics, love and renunciation are among the most quoted in Sanskrit literature.
What is the central message of this shloka?▼
That a human being is truly human only by inner worth — knowledge, austerity, charity, wisdom, character, virtue and righteousness. One devoid of all these is, in the poet's words, merely a beast in human form and a burden upon the earth.
Why is this verse considered so powerful?▼
Because it draws a sharp and memorable contrast between outward human form and inner human worth, urging every person to earn their humanity through real virtues rather than to assume it by appearance alone.
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