उपदिशति लोकवृत्तं वितरति वित्तं विनोदयति चित्तम्। उत्तम्भयति महत्त्वं विद्या हृद्या सुराजसेवेव॥
upadiśati lokavṛttaṁ vitarati vittaṁ vinodayati cittam । uttambhayati mahattvaṁ vidyā hṛdyā surājaseveva ॥
Meaning of Upadiśati Lokavṛttaṁ Vitarati Vittaṁ
Wisdom teaches the art of living in harmony with society. It grants knowledge and prosperity, fills the heart with joy, and raises one's dignity. Thus, wisdom is as precious as service to righteous governance, beloved by the heart, and a force that uplifts life.
Word by word
- उपदिशतिupadiśati
teaches, instructs
उप + √दिश्
- लोकवृत्तंlokavṛttaṁ
the ways and conduct of society
लोक + वृत्त
- वितरतिvitarati
distributes, bestows
वि + √तॄ
- वित्तंvittaṁ
wealth, means
वित्त
- विनोदयतिvinodayati
delights, refreshes
वि + √नुद्
- चित्तम्cittam
the mind, heart
चित्त
- उत्तम्भयतिuttambhayati
raises, supports
उद् + √स्तम्भ्
- महत्त्वंmahattvaṁ
greatness, distinction
महत्
- विद्याvidyā
learning, education
√विद्
- हृद्याhṛdyā
dear to the heart, pleasing
हृद्
- सुराजसेवेवsurājaseveva
like service under a good ruler
सु + राजन् + सेवा + इव
Sandhi: सुराजसेवा + इव
Commentary
Harihara describes vidyā, learning, through a sequence of practical gifts rather than as abstract scholarship. It teaches lokavṛtta, the ways and conduct of the world, and is said to bring material means while also delighting the mind. The verb uttambhayati adds the image of holding something up or raising it, suggesting that learning elevates a person's stature. The closing comparison makes vidyā hṛdyā, dear to the heart, like service under a good ruler, where understanding, reward, satisfaction and distinction may come together. The verse therefore joins inward delight with outward competence: education helps a person understand society, sustain life and grow in standing. Its praise of good governance appears as a comparison for the many benefits of learning, not as a separate political prescription.
Sources and textual variants
Original Post
More from Hariharasubhashitam
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Effort, courage, patience, intelligence, strength, and valor prepare a person to receive the help of providence.
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.
अद्वैधमनसं 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.
More subhashitams on Education
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Charaka Samhita presents good health as the foremost foundation for pursuing dharma, prosperity, desire and liberation.
स्वाधीनैव समृद्धिर्जनोपजीव्यत्वमुच्छ्रयश्छाया। सत्पुंसो मरुभूरिव जीवनमात्रं समाशास्यम्॥
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For a good person, as for a tree standing in the desert, self-reliant abundance, support for others, height and shade come naturally, so only that life itself need be wished for.
अद्वैधमनसं 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.