The Five Qualities to be Inculcated by a Student
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Meaning:
There are three separate words here. 1. Vidhyarthi 2. Pancha 3. Lakshanam.
Vidhyarthi is made of Vidhya + Arthi. Vidhya means knowledge, and Arthi means one who desires or seeks something. So, Vidhyarthi means one who seeks knowledge, which means a student.
Pancha means five, and Lakshanam means quality or attribute/characteristic.
So, Vidhyarthi Pancha-Lakshanam means a student’s five required qualities or attributes or characteristics.
Let us see the Sanskrit verse as found in “Panchatantra”.
“काकचेष्टा बकोध्यानमश्वाननिद्रा तथैव च। अल्पहारी गृहत्यागी विद्यार्थी पञ्च लक्षणं॥“
“kaakacheshtta bakoddhyanam shwananidra tatheiva cha, alpahaari grihatyaagi viddhyarthi pancha lakshanam”
“Vidyarthi Panch Lakshanam” is a Sanskrit phrase that translates to “Five Qualities of a Student.” It originates from ancient India and refers to five essential qualities considered ideal for a student pursuing knowledge and achieving success in their academic journey besides contributing to personal development. These qualities are often presented in a mnemonic form in various Indian languages:
- Kaak Cheshta (काक चेष्टा): This translates to “alertness like a crow.” Crows are known for their sharp eyesight and vigilance. This quality emphasises the importance of being attentive, focused, actively listening to lectures and observant during learning. A good student actively listens, absorbs information, and notices details to gain a deeper understanding.
- Bako Dhyanam (बको ध्यानम्): This translates to “concentration like a heron.” Herons are known for their ability to stand still and focus intently on their prey. This quality emphasises the importance of having a strong ability to concentrate. A good student can block out distractions while studying, remain focused on the task, and maintain attention for extended periods
- Swalpahari (स्वल्पाहारी): This translates to “eating moderately.” Overeating can lead to lethargy and hinder the ability to focus. This quality emphasises the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and avoiding excessive food intake to ensure good mental and physical health for effective learning.
- Grrhityagi (गृहत्यागी): This translates to being “detached from home comforts.” This quality doesn’t mean abandoning one’s home but prioritising learning and detachment from excessive comfort or distractions at home. Good students are willing to dedicate themselves to their studies and manage their time efficiently, prioritising learning over unnecessary comforts and worldly pleasures. This quality emphasises the importance of discipline and dedication to one’s studies.
- Nityadhyayi (नित्य अध्ययी): This translates to “regular in studies.” This quality emphasises the importance of consistent effort and dedication to learning. Studying regularly, even in small amounts, leads to better retention and understanding than cramming large amounts of information at the last minute or even studying sporadically.
It’s important to note that these qualities are not meant to be rigid rules but guiding principles. The specific interpretation and application of these qualities may vary depending on individual circumstances and learning styles. However, embodying these values can help students develop focus, discipline, and dedication for a successful and enriching academic journey.
Here are some additional points to consider:
Context and interpretation: The interpretation of these qualities can evolve with time and differ based on cultural contexts.
Holistic development: While academic success is important, the “Vidyarthi Panch Lakshanam” does not solely focus on it. These principles can also develop qualities like dedication, discipline, and self-control.
Modern interpretation: In a world with constant distractions and readily available information, focus, discipline, and time management are even more relevant for students today.
It’s important to note that these qualities are not meant to be rigid rules but guiding principles. The specific interpretation and application of these qualities may vary depending on individual circumstances and learning styles. However, embodying these values can help students develop focus, discipline, and dedication for a successful and enriching academic journey.
Additionally, “Vidyarthi Panch Lakshanam” is relevant for students in formal education settings and can be applied to lifelong learning and self-improvement endeavours. By cultivating these qualities, individuals can enhance their ability to learn effectively, stay focused, and achieve their goals in various aspects of life.
In Short
Understanding and striving towards the “Vidyarthi Panch Lakshanam” can provide valuable guidance for students on their academic journey.
Here is a verse in this context.
“श्रद्धावान् लभते ज्ञानं, मेधावी धन्यः संशयात्मा। विचिकित्सित संग्न्यासी, विदुषामपि पण्डितः॥“
Shraddhaavaan labhate jnaanam, meddhaavii danyaha samshayaatmaa. Vichikitsit sangnyaasii, vidushaamapi panditaha. (This is a modified version of a verse from Gita, quoted below).
“The faithful one gains knowledge; the intelligent one is blessed; the doubting self is confused. The curious one is wise even among scholars.”
This verse highlights different qualities and their outcomes:
Shraddhaavaan (श्रद्धावान) – The one with faith: Such a person gains knowledge because they approach learning with trust and openness.
Medhaavii (मेधावी) – The intelligent one: This person is considered fortunate because their intelligence leads them to success and prosperity.
Samshayaatmaa (संशयात्मा) – The sceptical one: This individual is characterised by doubt and uncertainty, leading to unhappiness or lack of fulfilment.
Vichikitsit (विचिकित्सित) – The one who questions or is inquisitive: This person is described as a renunciant, someone who renounces or lets go of doubts or attachments, thus gaining wisdom.
Vidushaamapi Panditah (विदुषामपि पण्डितः) – Even among the learned, the wise one: This suggests that wisdom transcends mere knowledge and erudition. It implies that true wisdom lies in the ability to question, renounce, and have faith rather than just accumulating knowledge.
Overall, the verse emphasises the importance of faith, intelligence, questioning, renunciation, and wisdom in pursuing knowledge and fulfilment.
श्रद्धावान् लभते ज्ञानं तत्परः संयतेन्द्रियः। ज्ञानं लभ्ध्वा परां शान्तिमचिरेणाधिगच्छति॥
Shraddhaavaan labhate jnaanam tatparaha samyatendriyaha. Jnaanam labddhvaa paraam shaanthimachirenaaddhigac’chati.
Gita 4/39
“A person endowed with faith obtains wisdom; one who is self-controlled and has subdued the mind gains knowledge. Having obtained knowledge, one before long attains supreme peace.”
This verse was spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna, emphasizing different paths to wisdom and the importance of faith, intelligence, questioning, and renunciation in spiritual growth and knowledge attainment.
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