दशपुत्रसमा कन्या दशपुत्रान् प्रवर्धयन्। यत् फलम् लभते मर्त्यस्तल्लभ्यं कन्ययैकया॥
daśaputrasamā kanyā daśaputrān pravardhayan । yat phalam labhate martyastal labhyaṁ kanyayaikayā ॥
PM's MessageIn our country that considers a daughter as Lakshmi, the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' campaign was started 11 years ago on this day. It is a matter of great pride that today the daughters of India are setting new records in every field.
Meaning of Daśaputrasamā Kanyā Daśaputrān
One daughter is equal to ten sons. The merit that a person attains by raising ten sons can be obtained by raising just one daughter.
Word by word
- दशपुत्रसमाdaśaputrasamā
equal to ten sons
दशन् + पुत्र + सम
- कन्याkanyā
a daughter
कन्या
- दशपुत्रान्daśaputrān
ten sons
दशन् + पुत्र
- प्रवर्धयन्pravardhayan
raising
प्र + √वृध्
- यत् फलम्yat phalam
which fruit
यद् + फल
- लभतेlabhate
obtains
√लभ्
- मर्त्यःmartyaḥ
a mortal
√मृ
- तत्tat
that
तद्
- लभ्यम्labhyam
is obtainable
√लभ्
- कन्यया एकयाkanyayaikayā
by a single daughter
कन्या + एक
Commentary
The verse answers a social prejudice with an intentionally forceful comparison: one daughter is equal to ten sons. Its language measures merit in the idiom of its time, yet its central purpose is unmistakable—to reject the idea that a daughter is of lesser worth. The statement also places responsibility on the family, because the promised merit is connected with nurturing and raising her with care. Read today, the verse supports dignity, affection, education, and equal opportunity for girls. Its lasting importance lies less in counting sons and daughters than in refusing a hierarchy between them.
Original Post
More from Skanda Purana
View source pageदेवदेव जगन्नाथ सुरासुरनमस्कृत। पुण्यश्लोकाव्ययानन्त परमात्मन्नमोऽस्तु ते॥
devadeva jagannātha surāsuranamaskṛta । puṇyaślokāvyayānanta paramātman namo’stu te ॥
A devotional salutation to Lord Jagannath as the Lord of the universe, worshipped by divine beings and present as the Supreme Soul in all hearts.
आदिनाथेन शर्वेण सर्वप्राणिहिताय वै। आद्यतत्त्वान्यथानीयं क्षेत्रमेतन्महाप्रभम्। प्रभासितं महादेवि यत्र सिद्ध्यन्ति मानवाः॥
ādināthena śarveṇa sarvaprāṇihitāya vai । ādyatattvānyathānīyaṁ kṣetrametanmahāprabham । prabhāsitaṁ mahādevi yatra siddhyanti mānavāḥ ॥
Lord Shiva manifested the sacred Prabhas region for the welfare of all beings. This holy place is a source of divine energy where humans attain spiritual perfection.
More subhashitams on Women
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.
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.