Universal Karma & Duty Upanishadic Verse
Taittiriya Upanishad: speak the truth, follow dharma, do not neglect your study. A teacher’s farewell advice. Sanskrit text and meaning.
Sanskrit
सत्यं वद ।
धर्मं चर ।
स्वाध्यायान्मा प्रमदः ॥
In the Upanishad these words begin a longer passage. They are the first three of the teacher’s instructions.
Transliteration (IAST)
satyaṃ vada |
dharmaṃ cara |
svādhyāyān mā pramadaḥ ||
Meaning
Speak the truth. Follow dharma (what is right). Do not neglect your own study.
Source / Textual Reference
Taittiriya Upanishad, Shikshavalli, anuvaka 11
Text compared with Sanskrit Documents and Wisdomlib. The lines inside this anuvaka are numbered differently in different editions, so the page cites the anuvaka only.
Traditional Significance
These are the opening words of a teacher’s farewell advice to his students at the end of their studies, in the Taittiriya Upanishad. The advice goes on with other duties, such as honouring mother, father, teacher and guest (see Matru Devo Bhava).
Traditional Practice
The words are widely quoted in talks about study and conduct. They are not a mantra with a fixed count of repetitions.
Related Content
- Matru Devo Bhava, the next lines of the same advice
- Satyameva Jayate, truth alone wins
- Sahana Vavatu, from the same Upanishad