Anirvedah Shriyo Mulam - The Root of Progress
अनिर्वेदः श्रियो मूलमनिर्वेदः परं सुखम्। अनिर्वेदो हि सततं सर्वार्थेषु प्रवर्तकः॥
anirvedaḥ śriyo mūlam anirvedaḥ paraṁ sukham । anirvedo hi satataṁ sarvārtheṣu pravartakaḥ ॥
PM's MessageFirm faith, sustained effort and positive thinking are the true keys to success. Our young friends, with these very qualities and complete dedication, are engaged in building a developed India.
Meaning of Anirvedaḥ Śriyo Mūlam Anirvedaḥ
Progress is founded on enthusiasm, firm faith and persistent effort. A person who continues striving toward their goal without giving in to discouragement ultimately achieves success. Therefore, one should keep working with unwavering faith and dedication, for these qualities lead a person toward progress, success and excellence in life.
Word by word
- अनिर्वेदःanirvedaḥ
freedom from despondency
अ + निस् + √विद्
- श्रियःśriyaḥ
of prosperity
श्री
- मूलम्mūlam
the root
मूल
- परम्param
the highest
पर
- सुखम्sukham
happiness
सुख
- हिhi
indeed
- सततम्satatam
constantly
सम् + √तन्
- सर्वार्थेषुsarvārtheṣu
in all pursuits
सर्व + अर्थ
- प्रवर्तकःpravartakaḥ
the prompter
प्र + √वृत्
Commentary
This verse appears in the Sundara Kanda when Hanuman, after searching Lanka, briefly confronts the possibility that he may not find Sita. He steadies himself with the idea of anirveda, a refusal to sink into despondency. The word does not mean shallow optimism; it points to an inner firmness that keeps thought and action alive even when the result is not yet visible. The verse calls anirveda the root of śrī, here understood as prosperity, success, or flourishing, and also as a source of deep happiness. Its practical force is simple: discouragement stops effort, while steady confidence keeps a person moving through difficulty. The post connects this teaching to young people building a developed India, where faith, sustained effort, and positive thinking become civic virtues as well as personal disciplines.
Original Post
More from Valmiki Ramayana
View source pageदैवं पुरुषकारेण यः समर्थः प्रबाधितुम्। न दैवेन विपन्नार्थः पुरुषः सोऽवसीदति॥
daivaṁ puruṣakāreṇa yaḥ samarthaḥ prabādhitum । na daivena vipannārthaḥ puruṣaḥ so’vasīdati ॥
A Valmiki Ramayana verse teaches that a person capable of confronting destiny through human effort does not lose heart when faced with adversity.
लोकपालाश्च ते सर्वे वासवप्रमुखास्तथा। ऋतवः षट् च ते सर्वे मासाः संवत्सराः क्षपाः॥ दिनानि च मुहूर्ताश्च स्वस्ति कुर्वन्तु ते सदा। श्रुतिः स्मृतिश्च धर्मश्च पातु त्वां पुत्र सर्वतः॥
lokapālāśca te sarve vāsavapramukhāstathā । ṛtavaḥ ṣaṭ ca te sarve māsāḥ saṁvatsarāḥ kṣapāḥ ॥ dināni ca muhūrtāśca svasti kurvantu te sadā । śrutiḥ smṛtiśca dharmaśca pātu tvāṁ putra sarvataḥ ॥
In this blessing from the Ayodhya Kanda, the guardians of the world, the cycles of time, sacred tradition, and dharma are invoked for abiding well-being and protection.
अनिर्वेदो हि सततं सर्वार्थेषु प्रवर्तकः। करोति सफलं जन्तोः कर्म यच्च करोति सः॥
anirvedo hi satataṁ sarvārtheṣu pravartakaḥ । karoti saphalaṁ jantoḥ karma yacca karoti saḥ ॥
A powerful verse from the Valmiki Ramayana emphasizing that enthusiasm and positive energy are the driving forces behind all successful endeavors.
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.