न कश्चित्कस्यचिन्मित्रं — Word-by-Word Meaning
न कश्चित्कस्यचिन्मित्रं
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
न कश्चित्
na kaścit
no one, nobody
कस्यचित्
kasyacit
of / to anyone
मित्रम्
mitram
friend
रिपुः
ripuḥ
enemy, foe
व्यवहारेण
vyavahāreṇa
through conduct, dealings, behaviour, transactions
मित्राणि
mitrāṇi
friends
जायन्ते
jāyante
are born, arise, come into being
रिपवः
ripavaḥ
enemies, foes
तथा
tathā
likewise, in the same way, similarly
Complete Translation
जन्म से न कोई किसी का मित्र है और न कोई किसी का शत्रु; मित्र और शत्रु दोनों ही व्यवहार (आचरण एवं लेन-देन) से उत्पन्न होते हैं। चाणक्य सिखाते हैं कि सम्बन्ध नियति से तय नहीं होते, बल्कि इस बात से बनते हैं कि लोग एक-दूसरे के साथ कैसा व्यवहार करते हैं; अतः अपना आचरण ही अपने मित्र और शत्रु बनाता है।
Origin & History
Source: Chanakya Niti
Author: Chanakya (Vishnugupta / Kautilya)
Period: Ancient India (c. 4th–3rd century BCE)
Chanakya, the strategist who navigated the shifting alliances of kings and ministers, understood relationships as the product of conduct rather than fate. This verse distils that hard-earned insight: friend and foe are not born but made, fashioned by the dealings between people, which is why the wise watch their own behaviour as the true source of their bonds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does 'Na Kashchit Kasyachin Mitram' 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 is the central teaching of this verse?▼
That no one is anyone's friend or enemy by birth or nature. Both friends and enemies are created through vyavahara — conduct, behaviour and mutual dealings. Relationships are therefore earned and made, not predestined.
How can this verse be applied in life?▼
By taking responsibility for one's own behaviour. Since friendliness and hostility grow from how we treat others, fair and considerate conduct tends to create allies, while harshness creates foes. It also frees us from resentment, since even an enemy was made by dealings and can change.
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