Aalasyam Hi Manushyanam Sharirastho Mahan Ripuh — Word-by-Word Meaning
आलस्यं हि मनुष्याणां शरीरस्थो महान् रिपुः
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
आलस्यम्
ālasyam
laziness, idleness, sloth
हि
hi
indeed, verily
मनुष्याणाम्
manuṣyāṇām
of human beings, for people
शरीरस्थः
śarīrasthaḥ
residing within the body, dwelling inside
महान् रिपुः
mahān ripuḥ
a great enemy
न अस्ति
na asti
there is no, there does not exist
उद्यमसमः
udyama-samaḥ
equal to effort/diligence
बन्धुः
bandhuḥ
friend, kinsman, ally
कृत्वा
kṛtvā
having done/practised (it)
यम्
yam
which (effort)
न अवसीदति
na avasīdati
one does not sink, does not fall into ruin
Complete Translation
Laziness is verily the great enemy that dwells within the human body; there is no friend like diligent effort, for having practised it one never falls into ruin. This Chanakya-niti verse names sloth as the foe lurking inside us and hails sustained effort as the truest ally on the path to success.
Origin & History
Source: Chanakya Niti (Subhashita)
Author: Attributed to Chanakya (Kautilya)
Period: Classical Sanskrit literature (Mauryan era tradition, c. 4th century BCE onward)
Chanakya, the legendary statesman and author of the Arthashastra, is credited in the Chanakya Niti tradition with many pithy verses on practical wisdom, governance and self-discipline. This verse captures one of his recurring themes — that diligence is the foundation of success. By naming laziness an enemy lodged within the body, it urges constant effort as the surest protection against ruin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Aalasyam Hi Manushyanam mean?▼
It means 'laziness is indeed (the great enemy) of human beings.' The full verse calls sloth a great enemy that lives within the body, and praises diligent effort (udyama) as the best friend, since the one who works never falls into ruin.
Where is this verse from?▼
It is a well-known niti-shloka associated with the Chanakya tradition and the broader Sanskrit Subhashita literature, widely quoted for its motivating message on effort and the dangers of laziness.
What is the main teaching of this Subhashita?▼
That our greatest enemy is the laziness within us, and our greatest friend is our own sustained effort. Diligence protects a person from failure, while idleness leads to downfall — so we should choose effort over sloth.
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