कः कालः कानि मित्राणि — Word-by-Word Meaning
कः कालः कानि मित्राणि
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
कः कालः
kaḥ kālaḥ
what is the time / the present age and circumstance?
कानि मित्राणि
kāni mitrāṇi
who (which) are my friends?
कः देशः
ko deśaḥ
what is the place / the country and setting I am in?
कौ व्ययागमौ
kau vyayāgamau
what are my expenses and income (outgo and earnings)?
कः च अहम्
kaś ca aham
and who am I? (what is my true position / nature?)
का च मे शक्तिः
kā ca me śaktiḥ
and what is my strength / capacity / ability?
इति
iti
thus, in this way (marking the questions to be pondered)
चिन्त्यम्
cintyam
should be thought about, ought to be reflected upon
मुहुर्मुहुः
muhur muhuḥ
again and again, repeatedly, time after time
Complete Translation
कैसा समय है? मेरे मित्र कौन हैं? मैं किस स्थान (परिस्थिति) में हूँ? मेरे व्यय और आय क्या हैं? मैं कौन हूँ, और मेरी वास्तविक शक्ति क्या है? — इन प्रश्नों पर बार-बार विचार करना चाहिए। चाणक्य निरन्तर आत्म-जागरूकता के लिए एक सूची देते हैं, जिसके द्वारा बुद्धिमान व्यक्ति अपनी परिस्थिति, साधनों एवं सामर्थ्य की स्पष्ट समझ बनाए रखता है।
Origin & History
Source: Chanakya Niti
Author: Chanakya (Vishnugupta / Kautilya)
Period: 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does 'Kah Kalah Kani Mitrani' 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 practical wisdom.
What are the questions this verse tells us to ask?▼
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.
Why should one reflect on these '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realistic and alert, so that decisions always match the actual situation, one's means and one's capacity, rather than outdated assumptions.
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