Nantarbahishcha Lokeshu - The Path to Supreme Peace
नान्तर्बहिश्च लोकेषु त्वात्मानं दृष्टवान् क्वचित्। आष्टाङ्गिकेन मार्गेण परमां शान्तिमाययौ॥
nāntar bahiśca lokeṣu tvātmānaṁ dṛṣṭavān kvacit । āṣṭāṅgikena mārgeṇa paramāṁ śāntim āyayau ॥
PM's MessageInfinite wishes to all countrymen on Buddha Purnima. On this holy occasion that inspires us to walk on the path of peace, compassion and goodwill, let us reiterate our resolve to adopt the core values of Lord Buddha.
Meaning of Nāntar Bahiśca Lokeṣu Tvātmānaṁ
According to Gautama Buddha, when a person understands that there is no permanent self-existing entity either within or outside and follows the Eightfold Path—Right View, Right Intention and Right Conduct—then they become free from suffering and attain supreme peace.
Word by word
- न अन्तःnāntaḥ
not within
अन्तर्
- बहिः चbahiś ca
nor without
बहिस्
- लोकेषुlokeṣu
in the worlds
लोक
- तु आत्मानम्tv ātmānam
the self
आत्मन्
- दृष्टवान्dṛṣṭavān
did he see
√दृश्
- क्वचित्kvacit
anywhere
- आष्टाङ्गिकेनāṣṭāṅgikena
by the eightfold
अष्टन् + अङ्ग
- मार्गेणmārgeṇa
path
√मृग्
- परमाम् शान्तिम्paramāṁ śāntim
the highest peace
परम + √शम्
- आययौāyayau
he attained
आ + √या
Commentary
The verse brings together two recognizably Buddhist ideas: the absence of a permanent, independent self and the discipline of the Eightfold Path. Seeing no fixed ātman within or outside loosens attachment to ego, while the path gives that insight an ethical and contemplative form. Supreme peace is therefore presented not as passive quiet, but as freedom reached through understanding and practice. The stored meaning attributes the teaching to Gautama Buddha, but no specific Sanskrit Buddhist source has yet been verified. The doctrinal reading is plausible; the direct attribution should remain qualified until the text, chapter, and verse can be identified.
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sukhopaviṣṭās te tatra puṇyāṃ cakruḥ kathām imām । dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇām ārogyaṃ mūlam uttamam ॥
Charaka Samhita presents good health as the foremost foundation for pursuing dharma, prosperity, desire and liberation.
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.
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.