Vidya Dadati Vinayam Sloka Meaning in English

This elegant shlok from Hitopadesha summarizes the gist of happiness. Vidya Dadati Vinayam Sloka tells us the the Path to Salvation.

Vidya Dadati Vinayam,
Vinaya Dadati Paatrataam।
Paatratva Dhanamaapnoti,
Dhanaat Dharmam Tatah Sukham॥

English Translation: Knowledge makes one humble, humility begets worthiness,
worthiness creates wealth and enrichment,
enrichment leads to right conduct, right conduct brings contentment.

Word to Word Meaning

vidyA = knowledge; from root vid, there are many words.
sam-vedana = to know together, know same as other, sympathy)
A-vedana = announcement, to be let known
ni-vedana = request, inform
vid = to be present, as in vidyamAn

dadAti = dad verb, to give. -da as suffix makes adjectives

vinayaM = training, discipline, cultured mannerism (from training), humbleness.
root ‘nee’ which means to take (away).
e.g. netA = leader; who leads, takes (to the goal)
abhinetA = actor, who leads us emotionally through the story by his/her acting
neeti = policy, that which leads (the nation, organization, person to their goal)

vinayAt = from discipline, humbleness

yAti = comes. yA = movement
AyAta = import (coming in)
niryAta = export (going out)
yAtAyAta = traffic, transportation

pAtratAM = worthiness
pAtra = container, vessel, recipient
a-pAtra dAna = charity to an undeserving, unworthy

pAtratvAt = from worthiness

dhanaM = wealth, money

dhanAt = from wealth (-At suffix meaning from)
dharmaM = the right thing, charity, good deeds, duty [NOT religion]
tataH = from that
sukhaM = happiness, opposite of sorrow, lack of pain. cf. sukhAsana = the comfort posture.

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