Knowledge

The Shloka

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विद्या ददाति विनयं

विनयाद् याति पात्रताम् ।

पात्रत्वात् धनमाप्नोति

धनात् धर्मं ततः सुखम् ॥

———

vidyā dadāti vinayaṁ

vinayād yāti pātratām।

pātratvāt dhanamāpnoti

dhanāt dharmaṁ tataḥ sukham॥

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Meaning / Summary

The shloka stresses the importance of education and its ethical implications. It emphasizes that true knowledge should lead to humility and guide a person towards a virtuous life that brings lasting happiness.

Knowledge gives humility; from humility comes worthiness; from worthiness one gets wealth; from wealth (one does) righteousness; from that (comes) happiness.

This shloka highlights that knowledge leads to humility, which leads to worthiness, wealth, righteous conduct, and ultimately, happiness.

This shloka emphasizes the importance of education and its cascading effects. Knowledge is not just about accumulating information but also about cultivating humility. This humility leads to earning the respect and trust of others, making one deserving and capable. This worthiness translates into opportunities for earning wealth, which should then be used for righteous purposes. It is through this righteous living that one attains true and lasting happiness.

Sentence - 1

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विद्या ददाति विनयं

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Meaning

Knowledge gives humility.

Meaning of Words

विद्या	vidyā
Knowledge, learning, education. Refers to the understanding and mastery of a subject, the process of gaining information and wisdom.
ददाति	dadāti
Gives, bestows, grants. To provide or present something as a gift or benefit.
विनयं	vinayaṁ
Humility, modesty, discipline. The quality of being humble and respectful, often associated with a sense of self-awareness and a lack of arrogance. Also, it means being disciplined.

Sentence - 2

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विनयाद् याति पात्रताम्।

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Meaning

From humility comes worthiness.

Meaning of Words

विनयाद्	vinayād
From humility, due to humility. Indicates the cause or origin stemming from being humble.
याति	yāti
Goes, attains, reaches. To arrive at or achieve a certain state or condition.
पात्रताम्	pātratām
Worthiness, deservingness, capability. The state of being suitable or qualified for something, suggesting competence and the ability to fulfill a role or responsibility.

Sentence - 3

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पात्रत्वात् धनमाप्नोति

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Meaning

From worthiness, one obtains wealth.

Meaning of Words

पात्रत्वात्	pātratvāt
From worthiness, due to being worthy. Because of having the qualities that merit respect or recognition.
धनम्	dhanaṁ
Wealth, riches, money. Abundance of valuable possessions or resources.
आप्नोति	āpnoti
Obtains, achieves, gets. To come into possession of something; to acquire or gain.

Sentence - 4

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धनात् धर्मं ततः सुखम्॥

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Meaning

From wealth (one does) righteousness; from that (comes) happiness.

Meaning of Words

धनात्	dhanāt
From wealth, due to wealth. Resulting from having resources or riches.
धर्मं	dharmaṁ
Righteousness, duty, virtue, religious merit. Moral principles, fulfilling one’s obligations, doing what is right and just.
ततः	tataḥ
Then, thereafter, from that. Following in time or order; as a consequence of what was just mentioned.
सुखम्	sukham
Happiness, pleasure, joy. A state of well-being characterized by positive emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.

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