पुनर्वित्तं पुनर्मित्रम् — Word-by-Word Meaning
पुनर्वित्तं पुनर्मित्रम्
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
पुनः
punaḥ
again
वित्तम्
vittam
wealth, riches
मित्रम्
mitram
a friend
भार्या
bhāryā
a spouse, wife
मही
mahī
land, the earth, property
एतत् सर्वम्
etat sarvam
all of this
पुनर्लभ्यम्
punar labhyam
can be obtained again, is regainable
न
na
not
शरीरम्
śarīram
the body (this human birth)
पुनः पुनः
punaḥ punaḥ
again and again, repeatedly
Complete Translation
धन पुनः प्राप्त किया जा सकता है, मित्र पुनः मिल सकता है, पत्नी और भूमि भी पुनः प्राप्त हो सकती है — यह सब पुनः प्राप्य है; परन्तु यह शरीर बार-बार प्राप्त नहीं होता। अतः मनुष्य-जीवन का यह दुर्लभ अवसर व्यर्थ नहीं करना चाहिए, क्योंकि यह सहज ही पुनः नहीं मिलता।
Origin & History
Source: Chanakya Niti
Author: Chanakya (Kautilya / Vishnugupta)
Period: Ancient India (c. 4th century BCE)
The Chanakya Niti is a celebrated compendium of aphorisms on ethics, prudence and practical living attributed to Chanakya, the legendary teacher and minister who guided the rise of the Mauryan empire. Among its many reflections, this verse on the irreplaceable value of human life stands out as one of the most quoted, urging the wise to spend their rare birth well.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Punar Vittam Punar Mitram mean?▼
It means 'wealth again, a friend again, a spouse again, land again — all this can be regained, but not the body again and again.' It teaches that human life is uniquely precious because, unlike possessions, it cannot easily be regained.
Where is this verse from?▼
It is a well-known shloka from the Chanakya Niti, the collection of practical wisdom and statecraft attributed to the ancient sage and statesman Chanakya (Kautilya).
What practical lesson does it offer?▼
It urges us not to waste the rare opportunity of human birth. Material things lost can be earned again, so we should not be consumed by them, but devote our limited life to worthy and lasting goals.
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