विद्वान् प्रशस्यते लोके विद्वान् सर्वत्र गौरवम्। विद्यया लभते सर्वं विद्या सर्वत्र पूज्यते॥
vidvān praśasyate loke vidvān sarvatra gauravam । vidyayā labhate sarvaṃ vidyā sarvatra pūjyate ॥
PM's MessageKnowledge is such a capital in life through which even the greatest goals can be achieved. Knowledge takes us out of the darkness of ignorance and leads us towards success and confidence.
Meaning of Vidvān Praśasyate Loke Vidvān
A learned person is praised throughout the world and receives honor everywhere. Through knowledge, a human being can attain all the essential necessities and achievements of life; therefore, knowledge is considered worthy of worship in every place.
Word by word
- विद्वान्vidvān
the learned one
√विद्
- प्रशस्यतेpraśasyate
is praised
प्र + √शंस्
- लोकेloke
in the world
लोक
- सर्वत्रsarvatra
everywhere
सर्व
- गौरवम्gauravam
honour
गुरु
- विद्ययाvidyayā
by learning
√विद्
- लभतेlabhate
one obtains
√लभ्
- सर्वम्sarvam
everything
सर्व
- विद्याvidyā
learning
√विद्
- पूज्यतेpūjyate
is honoured
√पूज्
Commentary
This celebrated verse from Chanakya Niti makes two interconnected claims: first, that a learned person earns recognition and respect wherever they go; and second, that through knowledge a person can accomplish everything necessary in life. The verse establishes vidyā as the supreme capital. Unlike wealth, which can be stolen, or power, which can be lost, knowledge stays with a person and multiplies with use. It opens doors of opportunity, confers dignity, and enables one to navigate life with clarity and confidence. The repetition of 'sarvatra' (everywhere) in both lines reinforces the universality of this principle—the honor of learning transcends geography, background, and circumstance. This makes vidyā not merely useful but pūjanīya: worthy of reverence.
Original Post
More from Chanakya Niti
View source pageप्रभूतं कार्यमल्पं वा यन्नरः कर्तुमिच्छति। सर्वारम्भेण तत्कार्यं सिंहादेकं प्रचक्षते॥
prabhūtaṁ kāryamalpaṁ vā yannaraḥ kartumicchati । sarvārambheṇa tatkāryaṁ siṁhādekaṁ pracakṣate ॥
A Chanakya Niti verse teaching that every task, great or small, should be undertaken with complete dedication, like the focused effort of a lion.
जलबिन्दुनिपातेन क्रमशः पूर्यते घटः। स हेतुः सर्वविद्यानां धर्मस्य च धनस्य च॥
jalabindunipātena kramaśaḥ pūryate ghaṭaḥ । sa hetuḥ sarvavidyānāṁ dharmasya ca dhanasya ca ॥
A classic nīti verse on steady accumulation: small, regular efforts gradually build knowledge, dharma, and prosperity just as a pot fills one drop at a time.
यथा खात्वा खनित्रेण भूतले वारि विन्दति। तथा गुरुगतां विद्यां शुश्रूषुरधिगच्छति॥
yathā khātvā khanitreṇa bhūtale vāri vindati । tathā gurugatāṃ vidyāṃ śuśrūṣuradhigacchati ॥
Just as water is found only by digging deep into the earth, true knowledge can only be drawn from the Guru through Shushrusha — devoted service and wholehearted attentiveness.
More subhashitams on Knowledge
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.
उद्यमः साहसं धैर्यं बुद्धिः शक्तिः पराक्रमः। षडेते यत्र वर्तन्ते तत्र दैवं सहायकृत्॥
udyamaḥ sāhasaṃ dhairyaṃ buddhiḥ śaktiḥ parākramaḥ । ṣaḍete yatra vartante tatra daivaṃ sahāyakṛt ॥
Effort, courage, patience, intelligence, strength, and valor prepare a person to receive the help of providence.