न हि ज्ञानेन सदृशं पवित्रमिह विद्यते। तत्स्वयं योगसंसिद्धः कालेनात्मनि विन्दति॥
na hi jñānena sadṛśaṁ pavitram iha vidyate । tat svayaṁ yogasaṁsiddhaḥ kālenātmani vindati ॥
PM's MessageThrough continuous effort and diligent practice, our talent becomes ever more refined. Today, our youth are embodying these very qualities and bringing honor to the nation across the world.
Meaning of Na Hi Jñānena Sadṛśaṁ
There is nothing in this world as purifying as knowledge. A seeker whose inner self has been thoroughly purified through karma yoga or spiritual practice spontaneously realizes that supreme knowledge within their own soul when the time is ripe.
Word by word
- न हिna hi
there is not
- ज्ञानेनjñānena
with knowledge
√ज्ञा
- सदृशम्sadṛśam
comparable
स + √दृश्
- पवित्रम्pavitram
purifying
√पू
- इहiha
here
- विद्यतेvidyate
exists
√विद्
- तत्tat
that
तद्
- स्वयम्svayam
by oneself
- योगसंसिद्धःyogasaṁsiddhaḥ
one perfected in yoga
योग + सम् + √सिध्
- कालेनkālena
in time
काल
- आत्मनिātmani
within himself
आत्मन्
- विन्दतिvindati
finds
√विद्
Commentary
The verse calls jñāna, knowledge, the most purifying reality available in this world. Its purification is not merely the accumulation of information: the person perfected through yoga discovers that knowledge within the ātman, the self. Yogasaṁsiddhaḥ points to one made mature or accomplished through yoga, while kālena, in the course of time, gives the teaching patience as well as depth. Thus, knowledge is presented as an inward realization that ripens through disciplined yogic practice. The verse does not promise instant attainment; it joins sustained preparation with the eventual discovery of truth within oneself. The accompanying message applies the same language of continuous effort and practice to the way young people refine their abilities and represent the country globally.
Sources and textual variants
Original Post
More from Bhagavad Gita
View source pageनित्यं 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.
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.
स्वे स्वे कर्मण्यभिरतः संसिद्धिं लभते नरः। स्वकर्मनिरतः सिद्धिं यथा विन्दति तच्छृणु॥
sve sve karmaṇyabhirataḥ saṁsiddhiṁ labhate naraḥ । svakarmanirataḥ siddhiṁ yathā vindati tacchṛṇu ॥
The Bhagavad Gita teaches that devotion to one's own work is a path to perfection.
More subhashitams on Knowledge
View topic pageज्ञानवांश्च 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.
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.
अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत्। स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव वाङ्मयं तप उच्यते॥
anudvegakaraṁ vākyaṁ satyaṁ priyahitaṁ ca yat । svādhyāyābhyasanaṁ caiva vāṅmayaṁ tapa ucyate ॥
The Bhagavad Gita describes truthful, pleasant, beneficial, and non-agitating words, together with regular study, as austerity of speech.