subhashitawisdomknowledgevidya

Na Chora-haryam (Vidya-dhanam Sarva-dhana-pradhanam)

न चोरहार्यं न च राजहार्यम् in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 3× repetitions·🕐 Morning before study, on Vasant Panchami, or when honouring learning and teachers·📜 Subhashita (Sanskrit niti tradition)

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हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

Na Chora-haryam is one of the best-loved Subhashitas in praise of vidya — the wealth of knowledge. It contrasts learning with material wealth: gold can be stolen, taxed, divided or lost, but knowledge can never be taken away, and uniquely it grows when shared with others. Declaring vidya the foremost of all riches, the verse is cherished across Indian education as the ideal celebration of learning.

Origin & Story

Subhashita (Sanskrit niti tradition) · Anonymous (classical Subhashita) · Classical Sanskrit literature

This verse belongs to the rich Subhashita tradition — pithy moral and reflective sayings preserved and recited for centuries. Among the many shlokas extolling vidya, this one became especially beloved for its vivid comparison of knowledge with material wealth, ranking learning as the supreme and imperishable treasure.

✦ As told in scripture

Teachers in the gurukula tradition would recite this verse to remind pupils that a master who shares freely never grows poorer in wisdom; many recount how giving away their learning, far from depleting it, made their own mastery shine all the brighter.

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The Mantra

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na cora-hāryaṁ na ca rāja-hāryaṁ na bhrātṛ-bhājyaṁ na ca bhāra-kāri। vyaye kṛte vardhata eva nityaṁ vidyā-dhanaṁ sarva-dhana-pradhānam॥

Meaning:It cannot be stolen by thieves, nor seized by the king, nor divided among brothers, nor is it a burden to carry; and when spent it only ever increases — the wealth of knowledge is the foremost of all wealth. Unlike material riches, learning grows the more it is shared and can never be taken away.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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na cora-hāryam🔊cannot be stolen by thieves

na ca rāja-hāryam🔊nor can be seized by a king (the state)

na bhrātṛ-bhājyam🔊cannot be divided among brothers (as an inheritance)

na ca bhāra-kāri🔊and is not a burden to carry

vyaye kṛte🔊when spent, when given away

vardhate🔊it grows, increases

eva🔊indeed, certainly

nityam🔊always, ever

vidyā-dhanam🔊the wealth of knowledge

sarva-dhana-pradhānam🔊the foremost of all forms of wealth

Benefits of Chanting न चोरहार्यं न च राजहार्यम्

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Inspires deep respect for knowledge as the highest and safest wealth

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Encourages the sharing of learning, since knowledge multiplies when given

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Motivates students to value education above material possessions

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Reminds that true wealth can never be stolen, taxed or lost

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A favourite verse for blessing students and honouring teachers

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Cultivates a lifelong love of learning and generosity in teaching

How to Chant न चोरहार्यं न च राजहार्यम्

Repetitions3times

Best TimeMorning before study, on Vasant Panchami, or when honouring learning and teachers

Recite the verse while reflecting on the unique nature of knowledge — that it grows by being shared and can never be taken from you. It is wonderfully suited to recitation at the start of studies and on Saraswati Puja, inspiring both the resolve to learn and the willingness to teach others freely.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete न चोरहार्यं न च राजहार्यम् 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 means 'the wealth of knowledge is the foremost of all wealth.' The verse explains why: unlike money, knowledge cannot be stolen, seized or divided, and it actually increases the more it is shared.

It is a classic Subhashita (wise saying) from the Sanskrit niti tradition, widely anthologised and recited as a hymn in praise of learning. It is one of the most quoted verses on the value of education.

Material wealth diminishes when spent, but knowledge is different — teaching others deepens one's own understanding, and so vidya grows precisely by being given away.