Jnanavanshcha Tatha Vagmi - Character Gives Ability Its Worth
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 ॥
Meaning of Jñānavāṃśca Tathā Vāgmī Karmasvapi
A person who is knowledgeable, eloquent and skilled in his work and is also endowed with good character and conduct, is truly regarded as a superior person in this world.
Word by word
- ज्ञानवांश्चjñānavāṃśca
knowledgeable, and; jñānavān + ca in sandhi
- तथाtathā
also; likewise
- वाग्मीvāgmī
eloquent; skilled in speaking
- कर्मस्वपिkarmasvapi
even in work; karmasu + api in sandhi
- चca
and
- निष्ठितःniṣṭhitaḥ
accomplished; firmly established
- एवंevaṃ
thus; in this way
- युक्तोऽपिyukto'pi
even though endowed; yuktaḥ + api in sandhi
- नna
not
- श्रेयान्śreyān
better; worthy of esteem
- यदिyadi
if
- शीलविवर्जितःśīlavivarjitaḥ
devoid of good character; śīla + vivarjitaḥ
Commentary
The verse considers a person who knows much, speaks well, and is accomplished in work. Its second line asks whether these abilities are enough to make that person worthy of esteem. Śīla means good character or conduct, and śīlavivarjitaḥ describes someone who lacks it. Even a capable person falls short when conduct does not deserve respect. In a workplace, this teaching gives us a reason to judge expertise alongside honesty and responsibility, especially when others depend on the decisions we make.
Sources and textual variants
Original Post
More from Samarangana-sutradhara
View source pageशीलवान् पूजितो लोके शीलवान् साधुसम्मतः। शीलवान् सर्वकर्मार्हः शीलवान् प्रियदर्शनः॥
śīlavān pūjito loke śīlavān sādhusammataḥ । śīlavān sarvakarmārhaḥ śīlavān priyadarśanaḥ ॥
A verse from Bhojadeva's Samarangana-sutradhara teaches that a person of character earns respect, is esteemed by the virtuous, proves fit for every task, and becomes pleasing to others.
More subhashitams on Knowledge
View topic 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.
अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च। निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः समदुःखसुखः क्षमी॥
adveṣṭā sarvabhūtānāṃ maitraḥ karuṇa eva ca । nirmamo nirahaṅkāraḥ samaduḥkhasukhaḥ kṣamī ॥
The Bhagavad Gita describes a character free from hatred and ego, friendly to all beings and steady in joy and sorrow.
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.