प्रजासुखे सुखं राज्ञः प्रजानां च हिते हितम्। नात्मप्रियं प्रियं राज्ञः प्रजानां तु प्रियं प्रियम्॥
prajāsukhe sukhaṁ rājñaḥ prajānāṁ ca hite hitam । nātmapriyaṁ priyaṁ rājñaḥ prajānāṁ tu priyaṁ priyam ॥
PM's MessageHearty greetings to the public representatives across the country on the occasion of Panchayati Raj Diwas! Your dedication towards service to the nation along with public service is inspiring to everyone.
Meaning of Prajāsukhe Sukhaṁ Rājñaḥ Prajānāṁ
The happiness of the people's representative lies in the happiness of the people; his welfare lies in the welfare of the people. A people's representative has no personal favourites—whatever is dear to the people is what is dear to him.
Word by word
- प्रजासुखेprajāsukhe
in the happiness of the subjects
प्रजा + सुख
- सुखम्sukham
is the happiness
सुख
- राज्ञःrājñaḥ
of the king
राजन्
- प्रजानाम्prajānām
of the subjects
प्रजा
- चca
and
- हितेhite
in the welfare
√धा
- हितम्hitam
is the welfare
√धा
- नna
not
- आत्मप्रियम्ātmapriyam
what pleases himself
आत्मन् + प्रिय
- प्रियम्priyam
is dear
√प्री
- तुtu
but
Commentary
This famous verse from Kautilya's Arthashastra defines the ideal relationship between a ruler (or representative) and the citizens. It posits that a leader should have no 'Atmapriyam' (personal likes or selfish interests) that conflict with the collective good. By equating the leader's own joy and welfare with that of the 'Praja' (people), Chanakya establishes a model of servant-leadership where governance is a form of selfless service. This philosophy remains the cornerstone of democratic accountability , especially at the grassroots level of Panchayati Raj, where the representative is most closely connected to the community.
Original Post
More from Arthashastra
View source pageराज्ञो हि व्रतमुत्थानं यज्ञः कार्यानुशासनम्। दक्षिणा वृत्तिसाम्यं च दीक्षितस्याभिषेचनम्॥
rājño hi vratamutthānaṁ yajñaḥ kāryānuśāsanam । dakṣiṇā vṛttisāmyaṁ ca dīkṣitasyābhiṣecanam ॥
A profound verse from Kautilya's Arthashastra describing the true duties and sacred resolve of a king or public representative.
अनुत्थाने ध्रुवो नाशः प्राप्तस्यानागतस्य च। प्राप्यते फलमुत्थानाल्लभते चार्थसम्पदम्॥
anutthāne dhruvo nāśaḥ prāptasyānāgatasya ca । prāpyate phalam utthānāl labhate cārthasampadam ॥
Inaction leads inevitably to decline, while energetic and diligent effort is the means by which prosperity and worthwhile results are attained.
More subhashitams on Governance
View topic 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.
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.