छायामन्यस्य कुर्वन्ति तिष्ठन्ति स्वयमातपे। फलान्यपि परार्थाय वृक्षाः सत्पुरुषा इव॥
chāyāmanyasya kurvanti tiṣṭhanti svayamātape । phalānyapi parārthāya vṛkṣāḥ satpuruṣā iva ॥
PM's MessageThe real strength of a nation lies in the spirit of selfless service of its citizens. This inspires people from each other, as well as our society becomes more prosperous.
Meaning of Chāyāmanyasya Kurvanti Tiṣṭhanti
Trees bear the harsh sunlight themselves, yet they give shade to others. Their fruits are also meant for others. Trees are like selfless and noble people who always provide comfort and help to others.
Word by word
- छायाम्chāyām
shade
छाया
- अन्यस्यanyasya
for another
अन्य
- कुर्वन्तिkurvanti
they make
√कृ
- तिष्ठन्तिtiṣṭhanti
they stand
√स्था
- स्वयम्svayam
themselves
स्वयम्
- आतपेātape
in the burning sun
आ + √तप्
- फलानिphalāni
the fruits
फल
- अपिapi
also
अपि
- परार्थायparārthāya
for the sake of others
पर + अर्थ
- वृक्षाःvṛkṣāḥ
trees
वृक्ष
- सत्पुरुषाःsatpuruṣāḥ
the good, worthy people
सत् + पुरुष
- इवiva
like
इव
Commentary
This verse uses the imagery of a tree to define 'Paropakara' (benevolence). Just as a tree stands in the 'Atapa' (heat) to give 'Chaya' (shade), a noble person accepts personal struggle to ensure the comfort of others. The verse suggests that the 'ripening' of one's life is complete when its fruits are offered for the welfare of others. The simile runs the opposite way to expectation. It is not that good people are like trees but vṛkṣāḥ satpuruṣā iva, the trees are like good people, so the tree is being measured against the human standard rather than lending its image to it. That reversal also makes the second line harder: fruit given for another's sake is not incidental generosity but the tree's whole purpose, and the comparison holds the person to the same account.
Sources and textual variants
Original Post
More from Subhashita Ratna Bhandagara
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.
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.
स्वाधीनैव समृद्धिर्जनोपजीव्यत्वमुच्छ्रयश्छाया। सत्पुंसो मरुभूरिव जीवनमात्रं समाशास्यम्॥
svādhīnaiva samṛddhir janopajīvyatvam ucchrayaś chāyā । satpuṃso marubhūr iva jīvanamātraṁ samāśāsyam ॥
For a good person, as for a tree standing in the desert, self-reliant abundance, support for others, height and shade come naturally, so only that life itself need be wished for.
More subhashitams on Selfless Service
View topic pageभस्मीकृतस्वार्थसौख्यपरिचर्चितविग्रहाः। 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.
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.