खद्योतो द्योतते तावद् यावन्नोदयते शशी। उदिते तु सहस्रांशौ न खद्योतो न चन्द्रमाः॥
khadyoto dyotate tāvad yāvannodayate śaśī। udite tu sahasrāṃśau na khadyoto na candramāḥ॥
Meaning of Khadyoto Dyotate Tavad Yavannodayate
A firefly appears to shine only in the absence of the moon. But when the sun rises, neither the firefly's glow nor the moon can be seen. Likewise, the significance of a lesser achievement lasts only until something greater comes along. Therefore, one should remain humble rather than become arrogant over limited success and continue to learn and grow.
Translation note: This translation is reproduced from the PM's X post video. The advice about achievements, humility, and continued learning is an interpretation; the Sanskrit describes a firefly, the moon, and the rising sun.
Word by word
- खद्योतोkhadyoto
the firefly; sandhi form of khadyotaḥ
- द्योततेdyotate
shines
- तावद्tāvad
so long
- यावन्नोदयतेyāvannodayate
until it rises; yāvat + na + udayate
- शशीśaśī
the moon
- उदितेudite
when risen
- तुtu
but
- सहस्रांशौsahasrāṃśau
the thousand-rayed sun; together with udite, when the sun has risen
- नna
neither
- खद्योतोkhadyoto
the firefly; sandhi form of khadyotaḥ
- नna
nor
- चन्द्रमाःcandramāḥ
the moon
Commentary
The verse places a firefly, the moon, and the sun in an ascending order of brightness. The paired words tāvad and yāvat make the firefly’s prominence conditional on the moon not yet rising. Sahasrāṃśu, the thousand-rayed one, names the sun whose arrival eclipses both lesser lights. As an anyokti, the scene can also suggest how a person’s apparent distinction depends on whom they are compared with. In everyday life, it invites us to judge our abilities with some awareness of the wider field, where greater skill may change our estimate of our own.
Sources and textual variants
Original Post
More from Sharngadhara Paddhati
View source pageप्रथमवयसि पीतं तोयमल्पं स्मरन्तः शिरसि निहितभारा नारिकेला नराणाम्। ददति जलमनल्पास्वादमाजीवितान्तं न हि कृतमुपकारं साधवो विस्मरन्ति॥
prathamavayasi pītaṃ toyamalpaṃ smarantaḥ śirasi nihitabhārā nārikelā narāṇām । dadati jalamanalpāsvādamājīvitāntaṃ na hi kṛtamupakāraṃ sādhavo vismaranti ॥
A coconut tree returns the little water received in youth with a lifetime of sweet water, an image of gratitude among good people.
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.
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.
More subhashitams on Nature
View topic pageप्रथमवयसि पीतं तोयमल्पं स्मरन्तः शिरसि निहितभारा नारिकेला नराणाम्। ददति जलमनल्पास्वादमाजीवितान्तं न हि कृतमुपकारं साधवो विस्मरन्ति॥
prathamavayasi pītaṃ toyamalpaṃ smarantaḥ śirasi nihitabhārā nārikelā narāṇām । dadati jalamanalpāsvādamājīvitāntaṃ na hi kṛtamupakāraṃ sādhavo vismaranti ॥
A coconut tree returns the little water received in youth with a lifetime of sweet water, an image of gratitude among good people.
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्ति-रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
yā devī sarvabhūteṣu śakti-rūpeṇa saṃsthitā । namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥
A prayer from Devi Mahatmyam saluting the Goddess who dwells in all beings as power.
त्वं वैष्णवी शक्तिरनन्तवीर्या विश्वस्य बीजं परमासि माया। सम्मोहितं देवि समस्तमेतत् त्वं वै प्रसन्ना भुवि मुक्तिहेतुः॥
tvaṃ vaiṣṇavī śaktiranantavīryā viśvasya bījaṃ paramāsi māyā । sammohitaṃ devi samastametat tvaṃ vai prasannā bhuvi muktihetuḥ ॥
A verse from Devi Mahatmyam praising the Goddess as the source of the universe and the cause of liberation through her grace.