Tyajed Ekam Kulasyarthe (Sacrifice the One for the Many)
त्यजेदेकं कुलस्यार्थे
Also known as: tyajed ekam kulasyarthe · tyajedekam kulasyarthe · gramasyarthe kulam tyajet · atmarthe prithivim tyajet · sacrifice one for the family chanakya
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✦ Meaning
This celebrated verse from Chanakya Niti presents an ascending hierarchy of sacrifice: the individual yields to the family, the family to the village, the village to the nation, and ultimately the whole world is renounced for the sake of the Self. It teaches discernment of proportion — that the greater good must prevail over the lesser — while crowning the scale with the supreme value of one's own spiritual welfare.
Origin & Story
Chanakya Niti · Chanakya (Vishnugupta / Kautilya) · Ancient India (c. 4th–3rd century BCE)
Chanakya, the architect of the Mauryan empire, taught that wise action requires weighing the greater good against the lesser. This verse, among his most quoted, builds a ladder from the individual up to the whole world and crowns it with the Self, reflecting both his statecraft — where the welfare of the nation outranks lesser units — and the deeper spiritual teaching that the Self is the highest value of all.
✦ As told in scripture
Sages cite this verse to explain the conduct of those who gave up everything for a higher calling: the one who truly understands its ladder will neither cling to a small gain at the cost of a great one, nor lose the Self for the sake of the world.
The Mantra
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त्यजेदेकं कुलस्यार्थे ग्रामस्यार्थे कुलं त्यजेत्। ग्रामं जनपदस्यार्थे आत्मार्थे पृथिवीं त्यजेत्॥
tyajed ekaṁ kulasyārthe grāmasyārthe kulaṁ tyajet। grāmaṁ janapadasyārthe ātmārthe pṛthivīṁ tyajet॥
Meaning:For the sake of the family, give up one individual; for the sake of the village, give up the family; for the sake of the country, give up the village; and for the sake of the Self, give up the whole world. Chanakya lays out a rising ladder of values, in which each larger good outweighs the smaller, culminating in the supreme worth of the Self and one's ultimate spiritual welfare.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Tyajed Ekam Kulasyarthe (Sacrifice the One for the Many)
Teaches discernment between the lesser and the greater good
Inspires selflessness and willingness to serve the larger community
Clarifies a wise hierarchy of duties — family, society, nation, Self
Crowns all worldly values with the supreme worth of spiritual welfare
A guiding principle for leaders weighing the welfare of the many
A concise, memorable verse for reflection on sacrifice and priorities
How to Chant Tyajed Ekam Kulasyarthe (Sacrifice the One for the Many)
Recite the verse slowly, following its rising ladder: the one for the family, the family for the village, the village for the nation, and the whole world for the Self. Reflect on how to weigh competing goods and where one's ultimate welfare truly lies. It is traditionally studied among Chanakya's teachings on duty and sacrifice.