Translating Sanskrit Shlokas — Method
श्लोकों का अनुवाद — विधि
How to Decode Any Sanskrit Shloka Step by Step · Class 7-8
Key Points to Remember
- ▸Shloka translation: (1) Sandhi Vicchheda → (2) Samāsa Vigraha → (3) Vibhakti → (4) Translate
- ▸"Vidyā ददāti vinayam" — simplest shloka structure: subject + verb + object
- ▸Imperatives in shlokas: uttiṣṭhata (arise!), jāgrata (awaken!), vada (speak!)
- ▸Bahuvrīhi compounds are common in shlokas: "guṇajña" = one who knows virtues
Translation Practice
Shlokas use poetic word order, sandhi, and samāsa. The method is: (1) undo sandhi, (2) undo samāsa, (3) identify vibhaktis, (4) translate in prose order.
4-step shloka translation method
Sandhi Vicchheda → Samāsa Vigraha → Vibhakti Analysis → Prose Translation
गुणा गुणज्ञेषु गुणा भवन्ति — Step 1: गुणज्ञेषु = गुणज्ञ + षु (Saptamī pl.) → Step 2: गुणज्ञ = गुणान् जानाति यः सः (Bahuvrīhi) → Step 3: गुणाः = subject (Prathamā pl.), गुणज्ञेषु = Saptamī → Step 4: Virtues become [real] virtues in those who know virtues.
guṇā guṇajñeṣu guṇā bhavanti
Virtues become [real] virtues in those who know virtues. (= Only the wise appreciate true qualities.)
Exercises (2)
Exercise 1: Translation
Translate these Class 7 shlokas step by step
1. विद्या ददाति विनयम् — Step 1: no sandhi. Step 2: no samāsa. Step 3: What vibhakti is each word? Step 4: Translate.
Hint: vidyā = Prathamā (subject); dadāti = 3rd sg. √dā; vinayam = Dvitīyā (object)
Show answer
Knowledge gives humility. (Step 3: vidyā = Prathamā; vinayam = Dvitīyā; Step 4: "vidyā دداti" = knowledge gives)
2. न चोरहार्यं न च राजहार्यम् — vigraha: cora + hārya = stolen by thief; rāja + hārya = taken by king
Show answer
Not [something] stealable by a thief, not [something] seizeable by a king [= knowledge]
3. उत्तिष्ठत जाग्रत — identify the verb forms
Hint: Both are imperatives (Loṭ Lakāra)
Show answer
Arise! Awaken! (uttiṣṭhata = imperative pl. of ud + √sthā; jāgrata = imperative pl. of √jāgṛ)
Exercise 2: Short Answer
Explain the meaning of these famous shlokas
1. "अहिंसा परमो धर्मः" — parse and translate
Show answer
Ahiṃsā = a + hiṃsā = non-violence (Prathamā); paramaḥ (Prathamā) = supreme; dharmaḥ (Prathamā) = duty. Translation: Non-violence is the supreme dharma.
2. "सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः" — parse and translate
Hint: sarve = all (Prathamā pl.); bhavatu = 3rd person imperative of √bhū; sukhinaḥ = happy (Prathamā pl.)
Show answer
May all be happy. (Sarve = all; bhavantu = let them be (imperative); sukhinaḥ = happy ones)
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