उत्साहो बलवानार्य नास्त्युत्साहात् परं बलम्। सोत्साहस्यास्ति लोकेऽस्मिन् न किञ्चिदपि दुर्लभम्॥
utsāho balavān ārya nāsty utsāhāt paraṃ balam । sotsāhasyāsti loke’smin na kiñcid api durlabham ॥
Meaning of Utsāho Balavān Ārya Nāsty
Enthusiasm is the greatest strength. Indeed, there is no power superior to enthusiasm. For an enthusiastic person, nothing in this world is unattainable.
Word by word
- उत्साहःutsāhaḥ
zeal
उद् + √सह्
- बलवान्balavān
is powerful
बल
- आर्यārya
O noble one
A vocative — Lakshmana addressing Rama.
- न अस्तिnāsti
there is not
√अस्
- उत्साहात्utsāhāt
than zeal
उद् + √सह्
- परम्param
greater
पर
- बलम्balam
strength
बल
- सोत्साहस्यsotsāhasya
for one who has zeal
स + उत्साह
- लोके अस्मिन्loke'smin
in this world
लोक
- न किञ्चिद् अपिna kiñcid api
nothing whatsoever
- दुर्लभम्durlabham
hard to obtain
दुस् + √लभ्
Commentary
This inspiring verse is spoken by Lakshmana to Rama at the beginning of the Kishkindha Kanda, as they arrive at Lake Pampa while searching for Seetha. Lakshmana uses these words to uplift Rama's spirits, emphasizing that 'Utsaha' (enthusiasm, energy, or zeal) is the most potent force a human can possess. It teaches that while physical strength and resources are important, it is the internal fire of enthusiasm that makes the impossible possible. In the journey of life, when faced with daunting challenges, maintaining one's inner drive is the key to eventual victory. The word ārya in the first line is a vocative and is almost always dropped when the verse is quoted. It is Lakshmana addressing Rama, and keeping it restores the verse to what it is — one brother speaking to another who has just lost heart, rather than a maxim standing on its own. The claim then reads differently: it is not a general truth about enthusiasm but an argument made to a particular person who needs it at that moment.
Original Post
More from Valmiki Ramayana
View source pageदैवं पुरुषकारेण यः समर्थः प्रबाधितुम्। न दैवेन विपन्नार्थः पुरुषः सोऽवसीदति॥
daivaṁ puruṣakāreṇa yaḥ samarthaḥ prabādhitum । na daivena vipannārthaḥ puruṣaḥ so’vasīdati ॥
A Valmiki Ramayana verse teaches that a person capable of confronting destiny through human effort does not lose heart when faced with adversity.
लोकपालाश्च ते सर्वे वासवप्रमुखास्तथा। ऋतवः षट् च ते सर्वे मासाः संवत्सराः क्षपाः॥ दिनानि च मुहूर्ताश्च स्वस्ति कुर्वन्तु ते सदा। श्रुतिः स्मृतिश्च धर्मश्च पातु त्वां पुत्र सर्वतः॥
lokapālāśca te sarve vāsavapramukhāstathā । ṛtavaḥ ṣaṭ ca te sarve māsāḥ saṁvatsarāḥ kṣapāḥ ॥ dināni ca muhūrtāśca svasti kurvantu te sadā । śrutiḥ smṛtiśca dharmaśca pātu tvāṁ putra sarvataḥ ॥
In this blessing from the Ayodhya Kanda, the guardians of the world, the cycles of time, sacred tradition, and dharma are invoked for abiding well-being and protection.
अनिर्वेदः श्रियो मूलमनिर्वेदः परं सुखम्। अनिर्वेदो हि सततं सर्वार्थेषु प्रवर्तकः॥
anirvedaḥ śriyo mūlam anirvedaḥ paraṁ sukham । anirvedo hi satataṁ sarvārtheṣu pravartakaḥ ॥
A Sundara Kanda verse from the Valmiki Ramayana teaching that non-despondency, steady effort, and faith are the roots of progress and happiness.
More subhashitams on Energy
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.
भस्मीकृतस्वार्थसौख्यपरिचर्चितविग्रहाः। स्वराज्ययोगनिर्मग्ना धन्यास्ते वीरयोगिनः॥
bhasmīkṛtasvārthasaukhyaparicarcitavigrahāḥ । svarājyayoganirmagnā dhanyās te vīrayoginaḥ ॥
The verse praises heroic practitioners who renounce personal comforts and devote themselves fully to self-rule.
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.