एतावज्जन्मसाफल्यं देहिनामिह देहिषु। प्राणैरर्थैर्धिया वाचा श्रेय एवाचरेत् सदा॥
etāvaj janmasāphalyaṁ dehinām iha dehiṣu । prāṇair arthair dhiyā vācā śreya evācaret sadā ॥
Meaning of Etāvaj Janmasāphalyaṁ Dehinām Iha
The ultimate fulfillment of human life in this world lies in constantly performing benevolent and welfare-oriented actions toward other living beings through one's physical capabilities, wealth, intellect and speech.
Word by word
- एतावत्etāvat
this much, just this
एतावत्
Sandhi: etāvat + janmasāphalyam gives etāvajjanmasāphalyam.
- जन्मसाफल्यम्janmasāphalyam
fulfillment or fruitfulness of birth
जन्मन् + सफल
- देहिनाम्dehinām
of embodied beings
देहिन्
Sandhi: dehinām + iha gives dehināmiha.
- इहiha
here, in this world
- देहिषुdehiṣu
toward embodied beings
देहिन्
- प्राणैःprāṇaiḥ
by life-breath, by vital energy
प्राण
Sandhi: prāṇaiḥ + arthaiḥ gives prāṇairarthaiḥ.
- अर्थैःarthaiḥ
by wealth
अर्थ
Sandhi: arthaiḥ + dhiyā gives arthairdhiyā.
- धियाdhiyā
by intellect
धी
- वाचाvācā
by speech
वाच्
- श्रेयःśreyaḥ
the good, welfare
श्रेयस्
Sandhi: śreyaḥ + eva gives śreya eva.
- एवeva
only, indeed
- आचरेत्ācaret
one should practice
आ + √चर्
- सदाsadā
always
Commentary
The verse gives a complete measure of a successful birth. Etāvat janma-sāphalyam says that the fruit of being born is just this: one should always practice śreyas, the genuine good, toward other dehin, other embodied beings. The four means named next—prāṇa, artha, dhī, and vāc—cover what a living person can give: life and energy, wealth, intellect, and speech. Eva and sadā make the rule exact. One should do only this good, and do it always. Krishna speaks these words after pointing to trees that bear heat, rain, and wind while giving shade and fruit. A human life is therefore fulfilled when it is used in the same way, not stored for oneself. The supplied meaning turns this into a daily ethic of benevolent action for others. That is faithful to the verse, though the Sanskrit is still broader: dehinām and dehiṣu name all embodied beings, and prāṇaiḥ is life itself, not only bodily strength.
Sources and textual variants
Original Post
More from Srimad Bhagavata Purana
View source pageउद्यमः साहसं धैर्यं बुद्धिः शक्तिः पराक्रमः। षडेते यत्र वर्तन्ते तत्र दैवं सहायकृत्॥
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Effort, courage, patience, intelligence, strength, and valor prepare a person to receive the help of providence.
एको धर्मः परं श्रेयः क्षमैका शान्तिरुत्तमा। विद्यैका परमा तृप्तिरहिंसैका सुखावहा॥
eko dharmaḥ paraṁ śreyaḥ kṣamaikā śāntir uttamā । vidyaikā paramā tṛptir ahiṁsaikā sukhāvahā ॥
A verse from Vidura Niti in the Mahabharata that pairs four virtues with what each one alone can give: dharma brings the highest good, forgiveness the finest peace, knowledge true contentment, and non-violence lasting happiness.
अद्वैधमनसं युक्तं शूरं धीरं विपश्चितम्। न श्रीः सन्त्यजते नित्यमादित्यमिव रश्मयः॥
advaidhamanasaṃ yuktaṃ śūraṃ dhīraṃ vipaścitam । na śrīḥ santyajate nityam ādityamiva raśmayaḥ ॥
The Mahabharata likens lasting prosperity to the sun's inseparable rays: it remains with one who is focused, courageous, steadfast and discerning.
More subhashitams on Selfless Service
View topic pageभस्मीकृतस्वार्थसौख्यपरिचर्चितविग्रहाः। स्वराज्ययोगनिर्मग्ना धन्यास्ते वीरयोगिनः॥
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The verse praises heroic practitioners who renounce personal comforts and devote themselves fully to self-rule.
नित्यं परिचरेच्चैव तद्वै सुकृतमुत्तमम्। कीर्तिं पुण्यं यशो लोकान् प्राप्स्यसे राजसत्तम॥
nityaṃ paricareccaiva tadvai sukṛtamuttamam । kīrtiṃ puṇyaṃ yaśo lokān prāpsyase rājasattama ॥
Daily service is praised as an excellent deed that brings merit, renown and higher realms.
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.