अङ्गणवेदी वसुधा कुल्या जलधिः स्थली च पातालम्। वल्मीकश्च सुमेरुः कृतप्रतिज्ञस्य वीरस्य॥
aṅgaṇavedī vasudhā kulyā jaladhiḥ sthalī ca pātālam । valmīkaśca sumeruḥ kṛtapratijñasya vīrasya ॥
PM's MessageSwami Vivekananda believed that youth power is the strongest foundation for nation-building. Indian youth, with their zest and passion, can realize every resolution.
Meaning of Aṅgaṇavedī Vasudhā Kulyā Jaladhiḥ
For the brave and strong willed, entire earth is like their own courtyard, seas like ponds and sky-high mountains like mole hills. Nothing on earth is impossible for those whose will is rock solid.
Word by word
- अङ्गणवेदीaṅgaṇavedī
a courtyard platform
अङ्गण + वेदी
- वसुधाvasudhā
the earth
वसु + √धा
- कुल्याkulyā
a small channel
कुल्या
- जलधिःjaladhiḥ
the ocean
जल + √धा
- स्थलीsthalī
level ground
√स्था
- चca
and
- पातालम्pātālam
the netherworld
पाताल
- वल्मीकःvalmīkaḥ
an anthill
वल्मीक
- सुमेरुःsumeruḥ
Mount Sumeru
सु + मेरु
- कृतप्रतिज्ञस्यkṛtapratijñasya
of one who has taken a vow
√कृ + प्रति + √ज्ञा
- वीरस्यvīrasya
of the hero
वीर
Commentary
This famous verse opens the seventh chapter of Banabhatta's Harshacharita, where King Harsha prepares for his grand military expedition. It celebrates the indomitable spirit of a person who has taken a firm resolve (Kritapratijna). For such a hero, the standard physical dimensions of the world shrink in comparison to their will. While often misattributed to Bhartrihari's Niti Satakam due to its stylistic similarity to the 'Vira Paddhati' section, its original context in Bana's work highlights the scale of Harsha's royal ambition. The vast earth (Vasudha) becomes a mere courtyard (Angana-vedi), the deep ocean (Jaladhi) a small canal (Kulya), the underworld (Patala) solid ground (Sthali), and the golden mountain (Sumeru) a molehill (Valmika). It teaches that perception and possibilities are defined by one's commitment.
Original Post
More subhashitams on Courage
View topic pageवत्सराजोऽपि तं प्राप्तं प्रदत्तोपायनं नृपम्। प्रीत्या सम्मानयामास शूरा हि प्रणतिप्रियाः॥
vatsarājo 'pi taṃ prāptaṃ pradattopāyanaṃ nṛpam । prītyā sammānayāmāsa śūrā hi praṇatipriyāḥ ॥
Vatsaraja honours a king who comes with gifts, illustrating the brave person's regard for respectful homage.
भस्मीकृतस्वार्थसौख्यपरिचर्चितविग्रहाः। स्वराज्ययोगनिर्मग्ना धन्यास्ते वीरयोगिनः॥
bhasmīkṛtasvārthasaukhyaparicarcitavigrahāḥ । svarājyayoganirmagnā dhanyās te vīrayoginaḥ ॥
The verse praises heroic practitioners who renounce personal comforts and devote themselves fully to self-rule.
शुचित्वं त्यागिता शौर्यं सामान्यं सुखदुःखयोः। दाक्षिण्यं चानुरक्तिश्च सत्यता च सुहृद्गुणाः॥
śucitvaṃ tyāgitā śauryaṃ sāmānyaṃ sukhaduḥkhayoḥ । dākṣiṇyaṃ cānuraktiśca satyatā ca suhṛdguṇāḥ ॥
Purity, generosity, courage, steadiness in joy and sorrow, courtesy, affection, and truthfulness are the qualities of a true friend.