More Subhāṣitāni — Wisdom Verses to Translate
अतिरिक्त सुभाषितानि
Additional Wisdom Verses for NCERT Exam Practice · Class 7-8
Key Points to Remember
- ▸"Dharmo rakṣati rakṣitaḥ" — dharma protects the protector; Manusmṛti 8.15
- ▸"Vidvān sarvatra pūjyate" — passive verb pūjyate (is honoured); the learned are honoured everywhere
- ▸"Paropakārāya" = para + upakāra → Caturthī "for the benefit of others"
- ▸"Udyamena sidhyanti" — effort (Tṛtīyā) accomplishes, not mere wishing (manorathaiḥ)
Translation Practice
Subhāṣitāni (well-said things) are short wisdom verses from Sanskrit literature — Hitopadesha, Nīti Śataka, Pañcatantra. They are concise, memorable, and exam-favourite.
Six additional Subhāṣitāni for translation practice
Parse: subject (Prathamā) + other case relations + verb
धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः।
dharmo rakṣati rakṣitaḥ
Dharma protects [the one who] protects [dharma]. (Manusmṛti 8.15)
विद्वान् सर्वत्र पूज्यते।
vidvān sarvatra pūjyate
The learned one is honoured everywhere. (passive voice: pūjyate = is honoured)
आलस्यम् हि मनुष्याणाम् शरीरस्थो महान् रिपुः।
ālasyam hi manuṣyāṇām śarīrastho mahān ripuḥ
Laziness is indeed the great enemy dwelling in the bodies of men.
उद्यमेन हि सिध्यन्ति कार्याणि न मनोरथैः।
udyamena hi sidhyanti kāryāṇi na manorathaiḥ
Work is accomplished by effort, not by wishful thinking.
परोपकाराय फलन्ति वृक्षाः परोपकाराय वहन्ति नद्यः।
paropakārāya phalanti vṛkṣāḥ paropakārāya vahanti nadyaḥ
Trees bear fruit for the benefit of others; rivers flow for the benefit of others.
अष्टादश पुराणेषु व्यासस्य वचनम् द्वयम्।
aṣṭādaśa purāṇeṣu vyāsasya vacanam dvayam
In the eighteen Purāṇas, Vyāsa's teaching is two things:
Exercises (2)
Exercise 1: Translation
Translate these Subhāṣitāni word by word
1. धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः — parse: dharmaḥ (subject) + rakṣati (protects) + rakṣitaḥ (when protected — passive participle)
Show answer
"Dharma protects [the one who] protects [dharma]." — dharmaḥ = subject; rakṣati = protects; rakṣitaḥ = when [it is] protected/the protected one
2. परोपकाराय फलन्ति वृक्षाः — parse: para + upakāra → compound; Caturthī; phalanti pl.; vṛkṣāḥ Prathamā pl.
Show answer
Trees bear fruit for the benefit of others. (paropakārāya = for the benefit of others, Caturthī; phalanti = they bear fruit, 3rd pl.; vṛkṣāḥ = trees, subject)
3. उद्यमेन हि सिध्यन्ति कार्याणि — parse: udyamena = Tṛtīyā of udyama (effort); kāryāṇi = Prathamā pl. neut. (works); sidhyanti = are accomplished
Show answer
Works are accomplished by effort. (udyamena = Tṛtīyā "by effort"; kāryāṇi = subject; sidhyanti = are accomplished 3rd pl.)
Exercise 2: Short Answer
Apply the wisdom
1. "Dharmo rakṣati rakṣitaḥ" — this verse has a chiasmus (AB BA pattern). Identify it.
Show answer
Rakṣati (protects) + rakṣitaḥ (protected) — the ROOT is the same, the form mirrors: "dharma PROTECTS [when] PROTECTED" — the protection is mutual
2. "Paropakārāya phalanti vṛkṣāḥ" — how is this Caturthī used here?
Show answer
Caturthī (Dative) shows purpose: "for the sake of others' benefit." The purpose/recipient use of Caturthī: trees bear fruit FOR this purpose.
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