यस्य नास्ति स्वयं प्रज्ञा — Word-by-Word Meaning
यस्य नास्ति स्वयं प्रज्ञा
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
यस्य
yasya
of whom, for the one who
नास्ति
nāsti
there is not, does not exist
स्वयम्
svayam
one's own, innate, by oneself
प्रज्ञा
prajñā
wisdom, native intelligence, discernment
शास्त्रम्
śāstram
scripture, the science or treatise, book-learning
तस्य करोति किम्
tasya karoti kim
what can it do for him? (it is of no use)
लोचनाभ्याम्
locanābhyām
with the two eyes
विहीनस्य
vihīnasya
of one who is devoid (deprived), of the one lacking
दर्पणः
darpaṇaḥ
a mirror
किं करिष्यति
kiṁ kariṣyati
what will it do? (it serves no purpose)
Complete Translation
जिसके पास स्वयं की प्रज्ञा (बुद्धि) नहीं है, उसके लिए शास्त्र क्या कर सकता है? जैसे जो आँखों से रहित है, उसके लिए दर्पण क्या करेगा? यह श्लोक सिखाता है कि शास्त्र-ज्ञान तभी फलदायी होता है जब वह अपनी सहज बुद्धि और विवेक से युक्त हो।
Origin & History
Source: Hitopadesha (Subhashita)
Author: Narayana Pandita (compiler of the Hitopadesha)
Period: Classical Sanskrit literature (c. 9th–12th century CE)
The Hitopadesha is a collection of instructive animal fables in prose interspersed with verse, composed to teach princes wisdom and statecraft through delightful stories. This verse appears among its niti-shlokas, using the memorable image of a mirror useless to the blind to declare that scripture profits only the one already endowed with native intelligence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the verse Yasya Nasti Svayam Prajna come from?▼
It is a celebrated niti-shloka (subhashita) from the Hitopadesha, the classical Sanskrit collection of moral fables compiled by Narayana Pandita, and it is widely quoted in the broader Subhashita tradition on intelligence.
What is the central teaching of this shloka?▼
That scripture and book-learning are of no use to a person who lacks his own wisdom and discernment — just as a mirror is useless to someone without eyes. Native intelligence is essential for knowledge to be of any value.
Does this verse discourage the study of scripture?▼
No. It does not belittle scripture but stresses that its benefit depends on the learner's own intelligence and understanding. Study is fruitful only when joined to discernment, so the verse encourages cultivating both.
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