किं चन्द्रमाः प्रत्युपकारलिप्सया करोति गोभिः कुमुदावबोधनम्। स्वभाव एवोन्नतचेतसां सतां परोपकारव्यसनं हि जीवितम्॥
kiṃ candramāḥ pratyupakāralipsayā karoti gobhiḥ kumudāvabodhanam । svabhāva evonnatacetasāṃ satāṃ paropakāravyasanaṃ hi jīvitam ॥
Meaning of Kiṃ Candramāḥ Pratyupakāralipsayā Karoti
The Moon does not illuminate the water-lily with its rays out of any desire for reciprocation; rather, it is its natural quality. Likewise, noble and generous-hearted people work for the welfare of others without any selfish motive or expectation, for benevolence is inherent in their nature.
Word by word
- किम्kim
is it
किम्
- चन्द्रमाःcandramāḥ
the moon
चन्द्रमस्
- प्रत्युपकारलिप्सयाpratyupakāralipsayā
out of a wish for return
प्रति + उप + √कृ + √लभ्
- करोतिkaroti
does
√कृ
- गोभिःgobhiḥ
with its rays
गो
go means both ray and cow; here, rays.
- कुमुदावबोधनम्kumudāvabodhanam
the awakening of night lotuses
कुमुद + अव + √बुध्
- स्वभावःsvabhāvaḥ
own nature
स्व + √भू
- एवeva
indeed
- उन्नतचेतसाम्unnatacetasām
of the elevated in mind
उद् + √नम् + चेतस्
- सताम्satām
of the good
√अस्
- परोपकारव्यसनम्paropakāravyasanam
a devotion to others' good
पर + उप + √कृ + व्यसन
- हि जीवितम्hi jīvitam
is indeed their life
√जीव्
Commentary
The moon does not bargain with the water-lily before its rays awaken it. The opening question, kiṃ candramāḥ pratyupakāralipsayā, makes the point by asking whether the moon acts from a desire for return. Its light is simply what it gives. In the same way, the verse calls paropakāra, the good of others, a vyasana, an absorbed and abiding inclination, in the lives of the noble. The phrase svabhāva eva grounds this generosity in character rather than display, calculation, or reward. The verse does not ask us to deny every personal need; it presents a higher disposition in which concern for others becomes a natural expression of who one is. Its image of moonlight and the water-lily makes that ideal quiet and unforced: genuine benevolence does not wait to be requested or repaid.
Original Post
More from Rasikajivana
View source 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.
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.
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.
More subhashitams on Selfless Service
View topic pageभस्मीकृतस्वार्थसौख्यपरिचर्चितविग्रहाः। 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.
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.