Kamadhenu Guna Vidya (Knowledge, the Wish-Fulfilling Cow) — Word-by-Word Meaning
कामधेनुगुणा विद्या
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
कामधेनु
kāmadhenu
the divine wish-fulfilling cow that grants all desires
गुणा
guṇā
having the qualities (of), like in nature
विद्या
vidyā
knowledge, learning, education
हि
hi
indeed, truly (emphatic)
अकाले
akāle
in adverse / out-of-season times, in hard times when nothing else avails
फलदायिनी
phala-dāyinī
bestowing fruit, yielding results / rewards
प्रवासे
pravāse
in a foreign land, while travelling or living away from home
मातृसदृशी
mātṛ-sadṛśī
like a mother, equal to a mother (in protecting and nurturing)
गुप्तम्
guptam
hidden, secret, well-concealed
धनम्
dhanam
wealth, treasure
स्मृतम्
smṛtam
is considered, is regarded, is said to be
Complete Translation
Knowledge is like the divine wish-fulfilling cow (Kamadhenu), for it bears fruit even in adverse, out-of-season times; in a foreign land it is like a mother, and it is regarded as a hidden, inexhaustible treasure. Chanakya extols learning as the most reliable of all riches — nourishing, protective and ever-yielding, even when all else fails.
Origin & History
Source: Chanakya Niti
Author: Chanakya (Vishnugupta / Kautilya)
Period: Ancient India (c. 4th–3rd century BCE)
Chanakya, himself a learned acharya who shaped an empire by his wisdom, repeatedly exalted knowledge above material wealth. In this verse he heaps three great images upon vidya — the wish-fulfilling cow, the protecting mother, and the hidden treasure — to teach that learning is the surest and most enduring of all forms of wealth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does 'Kamadhenu Guna Vidya' come from?▼
It is a famous verse from the Chanakya Niti (Niti Darpana), the body of aphorisms attributed to Chanakya (Kautilya / Vishnugupta), the ancient Indian teacher of ethics, statecraft and learning.
Why is knowledge compared to Kamadhenu?▼
Kamadhenu is the divine cow that grants every wish. Chanakya compares vidya (knowledge) to her because it fulfills one's needs and bears fruit even in adverse, out-of-season times (akale) when ordinary resources fail.
Why is knowledge called a 'hidden treasure'?▼
Because, unlike material wealth, knowledge cannot be stolen, lost or divided. It travels with a person everywhere, protects them like a mother in foreign lands, and remains a secret, inexhaustible store of value throughout life.
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