1. त्वमेव माता च पिता त्वमेव
You are my everything.
Your are my mother and father, friend and relatives, health and wealth.
2. ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः
Wishing happiness for all.
I wish all living beings happiness and freedom from suffering.
3. विद्यां ददाति विनयं
Education brings humanity.
Education leads to values, wealth, and ultimately happiness.
4. सुखार्थिनः कुतो विद्या
Where is knowledge for the seeker of happiness?
One must choose between knowledge and happiness.
5. उद्यमेन हि सिध्यन्ति
Success comes through effort.
Just like a deer doesn’t come to a sleeping lion’s mouth, we must work hard.
6. येषां न विद्या न तपो
Burden of the Earth.
Those without knowledge or charity are burdens on this Earth.
7. काक: कृष्ण: पिक: कृष्ण:
Similar yet different.
Crows and cuckoos are both black but reveal their uniqueness in spring.
8. यस्य नास्ति स्वयं प्रज्ञा
Wisdom is essential.
Without wisdom, scriptures are meaningless, like a mirror without eyes.
9. चलं वित्तं चलं चित्तं
Temporary nature of life.
Wealth, mind, life, and youth are all temporary; only good reputation lasts.
10. अयं निजः परो वेति
Narrow-mindedness vs. noble character.
People with a narrow view say this is mine, while the noble see the world as one family.
11. षड् दोषा: पुरुषेणेह
Removing six faults.
To achieve happiness, one must eliminate sleep, fear, laziness, anger, and procrastination.
12. नमन्ति फलिनो वृक्षाः
Humility in greatness.
Fruitful trees and good people bow down, while barren trees and fools do not.
13. यथा चित्तं तथा वाचो
Consistency of virtues.
Virtuous people have alignment in thought, speech, and action.
14. चन्दनं शीतलं लोके
Value of good company.
Sandalwood and the moon are cool, but virtuous company is superior.
15. पुस्तकस्था तु या विद्या
Practical knowledge is essential.
Knowledge in books and wealth in others’ hands are not useful in action.
16. ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं
Completeness in life.
Both this and that are complete; what remains is also complete.
17. प्रदोषे दीपकः चन्द्रः
Light in various forms.
Sun at morning and moon at evening bring light; righteousness is light in life.
18. सत्यं ब्रूयात् प्रियं ब्रूयात्
Speak truth with kindness.
Speak the truth gently, avoiding bitter truths and falsehoods.