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subhashitawisdomchanakyaniti

Kah Kalah Kani Mitrani (Questions for Constant Self-Reflection)

कः कालः कानि मित्राणि in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 3× repetitions·🕐 Morning planning, evening review, or any moment of decision·📜 Chanakya Niti
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Read in your language / script

हिन्दी / देवनागरीతెలుగుதமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡമലയാളംગુજરાતીবাংলাଓଡ଼ିଆਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

This famous verse from Chanakya Niti lists six searching questions one should ask oneself again and again: about the time, one's friends, one's place, one's income and expenses, one's own identity, and one's true strength. It is a timeless framework for self-reflection and situational awareness, helping a person act wisely by always knowing exactly where they stand.

Origin & Story

Chanakya Niti · Chanakya (Vishnugupta / Kautilya) · Ancient India (c. 4th–3rd century BCE)

Chanakya, the master strategist, knew that sound action begins with an honest reading of one's own situation. In this verse he compresses that discipline into six questions — about time, friends, place, finances, self and strength — to be revisited again and again, giving the seeker a portable method for the self-awareness on which all wise conduct depends.

✦ As told in scripture

Strategists and seekers alike have treasured this verse as a mirror of the mind, for the one who truly asks these six questions again and again is rarely caught unprepared, always knowing the hour, the company, the place, the means and the measure of their own power.

The Mantra

Tap any line — or the ▶ button — to hear it recited

kaḥ kālaḥ kāni mitrāṇi ko deśaḥ kau vyayāgamau। kaś cāhaṁ kā ca me śaktir iti cintyaṁ muhur muhuḥ॥

Meaning:What is the time? Who are my friends? What is the place I am in? What are my expenses and my income? Who am I, and what is my real strength? — these questions one should ponder again and again. Chanakya offers a checklist for constant self-awareness, by which a wise person keeps a clear grasp of circumstances, resources and capacity.

Word-by-Word Meaning

Click any word to hear its pronunciation

kaḥ kālaḥ🔊what is the time / the present age and circumstance?
kāni mitrāṇi🔊who (which) are my friends?
ko deśaḥ🔊what is the place / the country and setting I am in?
kau vyayāgamau🔊what are my expenses and income (outgo and earnings)?
kaś ca aham🔊and who am I? (what is my true position / nature?)
kā ca me śaktiḥ🔊and what is my strength / capacity / ability?
iti🔊thus, in this way (marking the questions to be pondered)
cintyam🔊should be thought about, ought to be reflected upon
muhur muhuḥ🔊again and again, repeatedly, time after time

Benefits of Chanting कः कालः कानि मित्राणि

✦

Provides a clear framework for regular self-reflection

✦

Builds situational awareness about time, place and people

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Encourages honest assessment of one's income, expenses and means

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Promotes self-knowledge — who one is and what one's strength is

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Helps in planning, decision-making and prudent conduct

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A concise, memorable verse for daily introspection

How to Chant कः कालः कानि मित्राणि

Repetitions3times
Best TimeMorning planning, evening review, or any moment of decision

Recite the verse slowly and pause on each question in turn — the time, your friends, your place, your income and expenses, your own self, and your strength. Use it as a checklist for honest self-review again and again, as the verse itself advises. It is traditionally studied among Chanakya's teachings on prudence and self-awareness.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete कः कालः कानि मित्राणि written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.
Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.
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 practical wisdom.
Six: What is the time (and age)? Who are my friends? What place or situation am I in? What are my expenses and income? Who am I (my true position)? And what is my real strength or capacity? Chanakya says these should be pondered muhur muhuh — again and again.
Because circumstances, relationships and resources keep changing. Repeated self-examination keeps a person realistic and alert, so that decisions always match the actual situation, one's means and one's capacity, rather than outdated assumptions.

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