पुस्तकस्था तु या विद्या — Word-by-Word Meaning
पुस्तकस्था तु या विद्या
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
पुस्तकस्था
pustakasthā
remaining (only) in a book, confined to a book
तु
tu
but, however
या विद्या
yā vidyā
the knowledge which (is)
परहस्तगतम्
para-hasta-gatam
gone into another's hand, in the possession of someone else
धनम्
dhanam
wealth, money
कार्यकाले
kārya-kāle
at the time of (actual) work / need / action
समुत्पन्ने
samutpanne
when it has arisen / when the occasion comes
न सा विद्या
na sā vidyā
that knowledge is not (available / of use)
न तत् धनम्
na tad dhanam
nor is that wealth (of use)
Complete Translation
जो विद्या केवल पुस्तक में ही रह जाती है और जो धन दूसरे के हाथ में चला जाता है — आवश्यकता के समय आने पर न वह विद्या काम आती है और न वह धन। चाणक्य चेतावनी देते हैं कि विद्या को अपने भीतर आत्मसात् करना चाहिए और धन को अपने अधिकार में रखना चाहिए, क्योंकि आवश्यकता के क्षण में वही काम आता है जिस पर हमारा वास्तविक अधिकार हो।
Origin & History
Source: Chanakya Niti
Author: Chanakya (Vishnugupta / Kautilya)
Period: Ancient India (c. 4th–3rd century BCE)
Chanakya, himself a great teacher, insisted that knowledge has value only when it is mastered and ready for use. In this verse he likens bookish, unpractised learning to wealth deposited in another's hands: both look like assets, but neither answers the call when the hour of action comes — a pointed reminder that true vidya lives within the learner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does 'Pustakastha Tu Ya Vidya' 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 learning.
What is the central teaching of this verse?▼
That two things are useless when you actually need them: knowledge that remains only in books (never internalised) and wealth that has passed into another's hands. Real learning must be absorbed and practised, and resources must stay within one's own command.
How should a student apply this verse?▼
By going beyond passive reading to truly understand, memorise and practise what is studied, so the knowledge becomes one's own. Just as money in someone else's keeping cannot help in an emergency, knowledge that stays on the page cannot help when the moment of need arrives.
Ready to start chanting?
See Benefits & How to Chant →