Vidya Mitram Pravaseshu (The True Friends in Life) — Word-by-Word Meaning
विद्या मित्रं प्रवासेषु
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
विद्या
vidyā
knowledge, learning
मित्रम्
mitram
friend
प्रवासेषु
pravāseṣu
in foreign lands, while travelling / living away from home
भार्या
bhāryā
wife, spouse
गृहेषु
gṛheṣu
in the home, in household life
च
ca
and
व्याधितस्य
vyādhitasya
of the sick person, of one who is ill
औषधम्
auṣadham
medicine, remedy
धर्मः
dharmaḥ
righteousness, virtuous conduct, merit
मृतस्य
mṛtasya
of the dead, of one who has died
Complete Translation
Knowledge is one's friend while travelling in foreign lands; the wife is one's friend in the home; medicine is the friend of the sick; and dharma (righteousness) is the friend of the one who has died. Chanakya names the true companion suited to each situation of life, showing that the help we need changes with our circumstances.
Origin & History
Source: Chanakya Niti
Author: Chanakya (Vishnugupta / Kautilya)
Period: Ancient India (c. 4th–3rd century BCE)
Chanakya, a master of practical wisdom, often reduced life's truths to memorable pairings. In this verse he matches each condition of life with its truest friend — learning for the traveller, the spouse for the householder, medicine for the sick, and dharma for the departed — and in doing so quietly teaches that righteousness is the one friend that never abandons the soul.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does 'Vidya Mitram Pravaseshu' come from?▼
It is a famous verse from the Chanakya Niti (Niti Darpana), the collection of aphorisms attributed to Chanakya (Kautilya / Vishnugupta), the ancient Indian teacher of ethics, statecraft and the good life.
Who are the four friends named in this verse?▼
Knowledge (vidya) is the friend in foreign lands; the wife (bharya) is the friend in the home; medicine (aushadha) is the friend of the sick; and dharma (righteousness) is the friend of the one who has died — the only companion that follows the soul beyond this life.
Why is dharma called the friend of the dead?▼
Because all worldly relations and possessions are left behind at death, but the merit of one's righteous deeds (dharma) accompanies the soul on its onward journey. Chanakya thus points to dharma as the truest and most lasting friend of all.
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