दाने तपसि शौर्ये च विज्ञाने विनये नये। विस्मयो न हि कर्तव्यो बहुरत्ना वसुन्धरा॥
dāne tapasi śaurye ca vijñāne vinaye naye । vismayo na hi kartavyo bahuratnā vasundharā ॥
PM's MessageIt is a matter of great pride for us that people from all over the world are coming to India for the India AI Impact Summit. This also shows the potential of the youth of our country. This opportunity is also a proof that our country is progressing rapidly in the field of science and technology and is making a significant contribution to global development.
Meaning of Dāne Tapasi Śaurye Ca
In the realms of charity, austerity, courage, knowledge, humility and leadership, ever more excellent examples are continually found in the world, because this Earth is filled with countless precious gems. Therefore, one should not be astonished at the constant emergence of new inventions and innovations in the fields of science and technology.
Word by word
- दानेdāne
in giving
√दा
- तपसिtapasi
in austerity
√तप्
- शौर्येśaurye
in valour
√शूर्
- चca
and
- विज्ञानेvijñāne
in discernment
वि + √ज्ञा
- विनयेvinaye
in modesty
वि + √नी
- नयेnaye
in policy
√नी
- विस्मयःvismayaḥ
astonishment, excessive wonder
वि + √स्मि
- न हि कर्तव्यःna hi kartavyaḥ
should never be entertained
√कृ
- बहुरत्नाbahuratnā
rich in jewels
बहु + रत्न
- वसुन्धराvasundharā
the earth
वसु + √धृ
Commentary
The verse literally warns against vismaya—astonishment or excessive wonder—in six fields of excellence: generosity, austerity, courage, vijñāna, modesty, and moral conduct. Its reason is bahuratnā vasundharā—the earth contains many jewels. Here the “jewels” are exceptional people and qualities, so even genuine achievement should be accompanied by humility because someone of equal or greater excellence may exist elsewhere. Vijñāna in this ethical list is broad understanding, discernment, or accomplished knowledge; it does not by itself mean modern science or technology. The India AI Impact Summit post used that word to connect the verse with innovation, a contemporary application that should be distinguished from the verse's central warning against being overawed by one's own or another's excellence. The associated lesson in humility is a reasonable inference, but vismaya does not literally mean boasting.
Original Post
More from Chanakya Niti
View source pageप्रभूतं कार्यमल्पं वा यन्नरः कर्तुमिच्छति। सर्वारम्भेण तत्कार्यं सिंहादेकं प्रचक्षते॥
prabhūtaṁ kāryamalpaṁ vā yannaraḥ kartumicchati । sarvārambheṇa tatkāryaṁ siṁhādekaṁ pracakṣate ॥
A Chanakya Niti verse teaching that every task, great or small, should be undertaken with complete dedication, like the focused effort of a lion.
जलबिन्दुनिपातेन क्रमशः पूर्यते घटः। स हेतुः सर्वविद्यानां धर्मस्य च धनस्य च॥
jalabindunipātena kramaśaḥ pūryate ghaṭaḥ । sa hetuḥ sarvavidyānāṁ dharmasya ca dhanasya ca ॥
A classic nīti verse on steady accumulation: small, regular efforts gradually build knowledge, dharma, and prosperity just as a pot fills one drop at a time.
विद्वान् प्रशस्यते लोके विद्वान् सर्वत्र गौरवम्। विद्यया लभते सर्वं विद्या सर्वत्र पूज्यते॥
vidvān praśasyate loke vidvān sarvatra gauravam । vidyayā labhate sarvaṃ vidyā sarvatra pūjyate ॥
A verse extolling the universal honor that knowledge brings. The learned are praised everywhere, and through knowledge one can attain all of life's goals.
More subhashitams on Wisdom
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.