बन्धनं मरणं वापि जयो वापि पराजयः। उभयत्र समो वीरः वीरभावो हि वीरता॥
bandhanaṁ maraṇaṁ vāpi jayo vāpi parājayaḥ । ubhayatra samo vīraḥ vīrabhāvo hi vīratā ॥
Meaning of Bandhanaṁ Maraṇaṁ Vāpi Jayo
Whether in bondage or facing death, in victory or in defeat, the true hero upholds the spirit of courage in all circumstances and remains unwavering; this is genuine heroism.
Word by word
- बन्धनम्bandhanam
bondage
√बन्ध्
- मरणम्maraṇam
death
√मृ
- वा अपिvāpi
or even
- जयःjayaḥ
victory
√जि
- पराजयःparājayaḥ
defeat
परा + √जि
- उभयत्रubhayatra
in both
उभय
- समःsamaḥ
the same
सम
- वीरःvīraḥ
the hero
वीर
- वीरभावःvīrabhāvaḥ
the heroic disposition
वीर + √भू
- हि वीरताhi vīratā
is indeed heroism
वीर
Commentary
This powerful verse defines the essence of vīratā, or true heroism. It suggests that a hero is not defined by the outcome of their actions—whether it be victory, defeat, imprisonment, or even death—but by their internal state of mind. A true hero remains 'Sama' (equanimous) in all these situations, maintaining a spirit of courage and dignity that is independent of external circumstances. This 'Virabhava' is the true mark of a warrior. The verse sets out four possible conditions—bondage or death, victory or defeat—in two alternatives, and answers both with ubhayatra samaḥ, “the same in either case.” The closing phrase looks like a tautology and is meant to: vīrabhāvo hi vīratā, the heroic disposition is what heroism is. Having refused to let any outcome define the hero, the verse has nowhere left to locate heroism except in the bearing itself. The source of this verse has not yet been traced.
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.
ज्ञानवांश्च तथा वाग्मी कर्मस्वपि च निष्ठितः। एवं युक्तोऽपि न श्रेयान् यदि शीलविवर्जितः॥
jñānavāṃśca tathā vāgmī karmasvapi ca niṣṭhitaḥ । evaṃ yukto'pi na śreyān yadi śīlavivarjitaḥ ॥
Knowledge, eloquence, and skill in work do not make a person worthy of esteem if good character is absent.