Mrigaah Mrigaih Sangam Anuvrajanti — Word-by-Word Meaning
मृगा मृगैः सङ्गमनुव्रजन्ति
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
मृगाः
mṛgāḥ
deer, wild animals
मृगैः
mṛgaiḥ
with (other) deer
सङ्गम्
saṅgam
company, association
अनुव्रजन्ति
anuvrajanti
follow after, keep company with
गावः
gāvaḥ
cows
गोभिः
gobhiḥ
with cows
तुरगाः
turagāḥ
horses
तुरङ्गैः
turaṅgaiḥ
with horses
मूर्खाः
mūrkhāḥ
fools
मूर्खैः
mūrkhaiḥ
with fools
सुधियः
sudhiyaḥ
the wise, the intelligent
सुधीभिः
sudhībhiḥ
with the wise
समानशीलव्यसनेषु
samāna-śīla-vyasaneṣu
among those of similar character and pursuits
सख्यम्
sakhyam
friendship, companionship arises
Complete Translation
Deer keep company with deer, cows with cows and horses with horses; fools consort with fools and the wise with the wise — for friendship arises among those of similar character and pursuits. The verse states the timeless truth that like attracts like, and that one's chosen company reveals and shapes one's own nature.
Origin & History
Source: Hitopadesha (Subhashita)
Author: Narayana Pandita (compiler of the Hitopadesha)
Period: Classical Sanskrit literature (c. 9th–12th century CE)
The Hitopadesha teaches wisdom and statecraft through delightful animal fables interspersed with niti-shlokas. This verse, on the natural grouping of like with like, draws on familiar sights of the natural world to make its point about human friendship, and it has become one of the most quoted maxims on the importance of keeping good company.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of Mrigaah Mrigaih Sangam Anuvrajanti?▼
It means that deer associate with deer, cows with cows, horses with horses, fools with fools and the wise with the wise — because friendship naturally forms among those who share similar character and pursuits.
Where does this verse come from?▼
It is a well-known subhashita from the Hitopadesha, the classical collection of moral fables compiled by Narayana, and it appears widely in the Sanskrit niti tradition on friendship and company.
What practical lesson does it teach?▼
It teaches that 'like attracts like': we are drawn to those who resemble us, and our company both reveals and shapes who we are. The implied counsel is to seek the friendship of the wise and the virtuous.
Ready to start chanting?
See Benefits & How to Chant →