भवन्ति नम्रास्तरवः फलोद्गमैर्नवाम्बुभिर्दूरविलम्बिनो घनाः। अनुद्धताः सत्पुरुषाः समृद्धिभिः स्वभाव एवैष परोपकारिणाम्॥
bhavanti namrāstaravaḥ phalodgamair navāmbubhir dūravilambino ghanāḥ । anuddhatāḥ satpuruṣāḥ samṛddhibhiḥ svabhāva evaiṣa paropakāriṇām ॥
PM's MessageThe beauty of prosperity lies in humility and benevolence. Success is meaningful only when the spirit of public welfare is foremost.
Meaning of Bhavanti Namrāstaravaḥ Phalodgamair
Just as trees laden with fruit and clouds heavy with rain bend towards the earth, so do benevolent and noble souls remain humble even after attaining wealth and fame. Instead of pride, they devote their lives to the upliftment of society.
Word by word
- भवन्तिbhavanti
become
√भू
- नम्राःnamrāḥ
bowed
√नम्
- तरवःtaravaḥ
trees
तरु
- फलोद्गमैःphalodgamaiḥ
by the coming of fruit
फल + उद् + √गम्
- नवाम्बुभिःnavāmbubhiḥ
with fresh water
नव + अम्बु
- दूरविलम्बिनःdūravilambinaḥ
hanging low and far
दूर + वि + √लम्ब्
- घनाःghanāḥ
clouds
घन
- अनुद्धताःanuddhatāḥ
unpuffed, unarrogant
अन् + उद् + √हन्
- सत्पुरुषाःsatpuruṣāḥ
good people
सत् + पुरुष
- समृद्धिभिःsamṛddhibhiḥ
with prosperity
सम् + √ऋध्
- स्वभावः एव एषःsvabhāva evaiṣa
this is the very nature
स्व + √भू
- परोपकारिणाम्paropakāriṇām
of those who benefit others
पर + उप + √कृ
Commentary
This verse uses two natural images to define the conduct of noble people. A tree bends when it is full of fruit, and a cloud heavy with fresh rain hangs low over the earth. In the same way, satpuruṣāḥ, truly good people, do not become inflated by samṛddhi, prosperity, abundance, or success. Their greatness is shown by anuddhatatā, freedom from arrogance. The closing phrase, svabhāva evaiṣa paropakāriṇām, is the heart of the verse: this is the very nature of those who live for the good of others. Prosperity does not make them distant; it makes them more useful, generous, and accessible. The PM's post draws out this ethical message clearly: success becomes meaningful only when humility and public welfare remain at its center.
Original Post
More from Nitishatakam
View source pageशुचित्वं 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.
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.
उद्यमः 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.
More subhashitams on Humility
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.