Tvatsambhavitam Atmanam - Respect and Self-Confidence
त्वत्सम्भावितमात्मानं बहु मन्यामहे वयम्। प्रायः प्रत्ययमाधत्ते स्वगुणेषूत्तमादरः॥
tvatsambhāvitam ātmānaṃ bahu manyāmahe vayam । prāyaḥ pratyayam ādhatte svaguṇeṣūttamādaraḥ ॥
PM's MessageAffectionate respect and acceptance make a person experience pride and satisfaction. While this increases self-confidence, it also creates new energy and enthusiasm.
Meaning of Tvatsambhāvitam Ātmānaṃ Bahu Manyāmahe
We feel extremely proud and blessed to be accepted with respect by any person, because it is absolutely true that respect given by great men strongly awakens self-confidence in a person about his own qualities.
Word by word
- त्वत्सम्भावितम्tvatsambhāvitam
esteemed by you
युष्मद् + सम् + √भू
- आत्मानम्ātmānam
ourselves
आत्मन्
- बहु मन्यामहे वयम्bahu manyāmahe vayam
we hold in high regard
√मन्
- प्रायःprāyaḥ
generally
- प्रत्ययम्pratyayam
confidence
प्रति + √इ
- आधत्तेādhatte
instils
आ + √धा
- स्वगुणेषुsvaguṇeṣu
in one's own qualities
स्व + गुण
- उत्तमादरःuttamādaraḥ
regard from the excellent
उत्तम + आ + √दृ
Commentary
In Kalidasa's Kumarasambhavam, this verse is spoken in a moment of reverent recognition, where being regarded by a great presence becomes a source of inner assurance. The phrase uttamādaraḥ points to respect shown by noble or excellent people, while pratyaya suggests confidence, conviction, or trust. Such recognition does not merely flatter the ego; it helps a person recognize the value of their own qualities with greater steadiness. In the context of the Prime Minister's message, the verse becomes a gentle statement about encouragement and social regard. Affectionate acceptance can awaken pride without arrogance, and satisfaction without complacency. When respect is sincere, it becomes a source of energy, reminding a person that their virtues are seen, valued, and capable of growing further.
Sources and textual variants
Original Post
More subhashitams on Respect
View topic pageवत्सराजोऽपि तं प्राप्तं प्रदत्तोपायनं नृपम्। प्रीत्या सम्मानयामास शूरा हि प्रणतिप्रियाः॥
vatsarājo 'pi taṃ prāptaṃ pradattopāyanaṃ nṛpam । prītyā sammānayāmāsa śūrā hi praṇatipriyāḥ ॥
Vatsaraja honours a king who comes with gifts, illustrating the brave person's regard for respectful homage.
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.