अभीप्सां स्वात्मनो रक्षाऽविरतं सुस्थिरं तया। यत्नमातिष्ठ धैर्येण ततः सिद्धिर्भवेद् ध्रुवम्॥
abhīpsāṁ svātmano rakṣā’virataṃ susthiraṁ tayā । yatnam ātiṣṭha dhairyeṇa tataḥ siddhir bhaved dhruvam ॥
PM's MessageBy winning the T20 Cricket World Cup, Team India has proved that the confluence of determination, restraint, and self-confidence is the fundamental mantra for success in life. This victory also tells us that every goal can be achieved through hard work in the right direction.
Meaning of Abhīpsāṁ Svātmano Rakṣā’Virataṃ Susthiraṁ
Anyone who seeks progress in life must strive with persistence and determination. Persistent hard work, combined with patience, will surely pave the way to success.
Word by word
- अभीप्साम्abhīpsām
the aspiration
अभि + √आप्
- स्वात्मनःsvātmanaḥ
of your own self
स्व + आत्मन्
- रक्षrakṣa
guard
√रक्ष्
- अविरतम्aviratam
unceasingly
अ + वि + √रम्
- सुस्थिरम्susthiram
firmly
सु + √स्था
- तयाtayā
by it
तद्
- यत्नम्yatnam
effort
√यत्
- आतिष्ठātiṣṭha
take your stand in
आ + √स्था
- धैर्येणdhairyeṇa
with patience
√धृ
- ततःtataḥ
then
तद्
- सिद्धिःsiddhiḥ
success
√सिध्
- भवेत् ध्रुवम्bhaved dhruvam
will certainly be
√भू
Commentary
This profound subhashita emphasizes the necessity of 'Udyoga' (effort) combined with 'Dhairya' (patience). It teaches that progress ('Abhipsa') is not a matter of chance but a result of 'Susthiram' (stable/continuous) and 'Aviratam' (uninterrupted) strive. The guarantee of success ('Siddhir bhaved dhruvam') is anchored in the quality of one's persistence and the depth of one's resolve. In modern life, it serves as a powerful reminder that while talent is important, it is the consistency of effort and the resilience of character that ultimately lead to extraordinary achievements. The first instruction is easy to read past. Before any effort is asked for, the verse says rakṣa — guard the aspiration itself, unceasingly and firmly. Only then comes yatnam ātiṣṭha, undertake the attempt. The order implies that an aim is a thing that can be lost while one is still working, and that protecting it is a separate discipline from pursuing it, which is why patience is named as the manner of the second step.
Original Post
More from Mahasubhashitasamgraha
View source pageउद्यमः साहसं धैर्यं बुद्धिः शक्तिः पराक्रमः। षडेते यत्र वर्तन्ते तत्र दैवं सहायकृत्॥
udyamaḥ sāhasaṃ dhairyaṃ buddhiḥ śaktiḥ parākramaḥ । ṣaḍete yatra vartante tatra daivaṃ sahāyakṛt ॥
Effort, courage, patience, intelligence, strength, and valor prepare a person to receive the help of providence.
एको धर्मः परं श्रेयः क्षमैका शान्तिरुत्तमा। विद्यैका परमा तृप्तिरहिंसैका सुखावहा॥
eko dharmaḥ paraṁ śreyaḥ kṣamaikā śāntir uttamā । vidyaikā paramā tṛptir ahiṁsaikā sukhāvahā ॥
A verse from Vidura Niti in the Mahabharata that pairs four virtues with what each one alone can give: dharma brings the highest good, forgiveness the finest peace, knowledge true contentment, and non-violence lasting happiness.
अद्वैधमनसं युक्तं शूरं धीरं विपश्चितम्। न श्रीः सन्त्यजते नित्यमादित्यमिव रश्मयः॥
advaidhamanasaṃ yuktaṃ śūraṃ dhīraṃ vipaścitam । na śrīḥ santyajate nityam ādityamiva raśmayaḥ ॥
The Mahabharata likens lasting prosperity to the sun's inseparable rays: it remains with one who is focused, courageous, steadfast and discerning.
More subhashitams on Perseverance
View topic pageनित्यं परिचरेच्चैव तद्वै सुकृतमुत्तमम्। कीर्तिं पुण्यं यशो लोकान् प्राप्स्यसे राजसत्तम॥
nityaṃ paricareccaiva tadvai sukṛtamuttamam । kīrtiṃ puṇyaṃ yaśo lokān prāpsyase rājasattama ॥
Daily service is praised as an excellent deed that brings merit, renown and higher realms.
रत्नैर्महाब्धेस्तुतुषुर्न देवा न भेजिरे भीमविषेण भीतिम्। सुधां विना न प्रययुर्विरामं न निश्चितार्थाद्विरमन्ति धीराः॥
ratnair mahābdhes tutuṣur na devā na bhejire bhīmaviṣeṇa bhītim । sudhāṃ vinā na prayayur virāmaṃ na niścitārthād viramanti dhīrāḥ ॥
Bhartrhari recalls the churning of the ocean to show that resolute people neither settle for partial gains nor abandon their aim when danger appears.
स्वे स्वे कर्मण्यभिरतः संसिद्धिं लभते नरः। स्वकर्मनिरतः सिद्धिं यथा विन्दति तच्छृणु॥
sve sve karmaṇyabhirataḥ saṁsiddhiṁ labhate naraḥ । svakarmanirataḥ siddhiṁ yathā vindati tacchṛṇu ॥
The Bhagavad Gita teaches that devotion to one's own work is a path to perfection.