Chinnopi Chandanataruh

Subhashita

छिन्नोपि चंदन तरुर्नजहाति गन्धं
वृद्धोपि वापणपतिर्नजहाति लाभं |
यंत्रार्पितो मधुरतां नजहाति चेक्षुः
क्षीणोपि न त्यजति शीलगुणां कुलीनः ||

Audio

Transliteration

Chinnopi chandana tarur-najahati gandham
Vrudhopi vaapana pathir-najahaati laabham |
Yantraarpito madhurataam na jahaati chekshuh
Ksheenopi na-tyajati sheela gunaan kuleenah ||

Literal meaning

The sandalwood tree doesn’t forego the smell even if it is cut, a shopkeeper doesn’t cease to forego profits even during his old-days, sugar-cane doesn’t forego the sweetness even after getting into a machine, a noble person doesn’t forego his good qualities even if he gets poor