श्रूयतां धर्मसर्वस्वं श्रुत्वा चैवावधार्यताम्। आत्मनः प्रतिकूलानि परेषां न समाचरेत्॥
śrūyatāṃ dharmasarvasvaṃ śrutvā caivāvadhāryatām । ātmanaḥ pratikūlāni pareṣāṃ na samācaret ॥
PM's MessageThe messages of Bhagwan Mahavir, rooted in truth, goodwill, righteous conduct, and equality, are a profound source of inspiration. His great thoughts will forever serve as a guiding light for humanity.
Meaning of Śrūyatāṃ Dharmasarvasvaṃ Śrutvā
To lead a noble life, always listen to and follow what is virtuous and worthy of practice. Never treat others in a way that you would not consider good for yourself.
Word by word
- श्रूयताम्śrūyatām
let it be heard
√श्रु
- धर्मसर्वस्वम्dharmasarvasvam
the whole of dharma
धर्म + सर्वस्व
- श्रुत्वाśrutvā
having heard
√श्रु
- च एवcaiva
and indeed
- अवधार्यताम्avadhāryatām
let it be held fast
अव + √धृ
- आत्मनःātmanaḥ
to oneself
आत्मन्
- प्रतिकूलानिpratikūlāni
things adverse
प्रति + कूल
- परेषाम्pareṣām
to others
पर
- न समाचरेत्na samācaret
one should not do
सम् + आ + √चर्
Commentary
This verse encapsulates the universal golden rule — the foundation of ethical conduct across traditions. PM Modi invoked it on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, drawing a direct parallel between this ancient dictum and Bhagwan Mahavira's teachings of satya, sadbhāva, and samānatā. The verse's presence in both the Panchatantra and the Padma Purana reflects how deeply this principle of reciprocal empathy is woven into Indian thought. Before the rule arrives, two passive imperatives prepare for it — śrūyatām, let it be heard, and avadhāryatām, let it be held fast — so the verse asks to be memorised before it asks to be obeyed. The compound dharmasarvasvam claims a great deal: not a rule of dharma but the whole of it, gathered into a single line.
Original Post
More from Panchatantra
View source pageअद्वैधमनसं युक्तं शूरं धीरं विपश्चितम्। न श्रीः सन्त्यजते नित्यमादित्यमिव रश्मयः॥
advaidhamanasaṃ yuktaṃ śūraṃ dhīraṃ vipaścitam । na śrīḥ santyajate nityam ādityamiva raśmayaḥ ॥
The Mahabharata likens lasting prosperity to the sun's inseparable rays: it remains with one who is focused, courageous, steadfast and discerning.
उद्यमस्य प्रसादेन दृश्यन्ते विविधाः कलाः। कातरा एव जल्पन्ति यद् भाव्यं तद् भविष्यति॥
udyamasya prasādena dṛśyante vividhāḥ kalāḥ । kātarā eva jalpanti yad bhāvyaṁ tad bhaviṣyati ॥
Mahāsubhāṣitasaṃgraha teaches that diverse skills are revealed through enterprise, while the timid merely leave everything to what will happen.
चक्षुषा मनसा वाचा कर्मणा च चतुर्विधम्। प्रसादयति यो लोकं तं लोकोऽनुप्रसीदति॥
cakṣuṣā manasā vācā karmaṇā ca caturvidham । prasādayati yo lokaṁ taṁ loko'nuprasīdati ॥
Vidura Niti teaches that one who wins people’s goodwill through sight, thought, speech and action receives their goodwill in return.
More subhashitams on Ethics
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.
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.
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.