अयं निजः परो वेति गणना लघुचेतसाम्। उदारचरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम्॥
ayaṁ nijaḥ paro veti gaṇanā laghucetasām । udāracaritānāṁ tu vasudhaiva kuṭumbakam ॥
PM's MessageDr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's personality and work will continue to be a source of inspiration for nation building.
Meaning of Ayaṁ Nijaḥ Paro Veti
People with a noble and expansive heart rise above narrow thinking and consider the entire world as their family. For them, no one is a stranger; rather, every person is their own. This very spirit forms the foundation of love, unity and harmony.
Word by word
- अयम्ayam
this one
इदम्
- निजःnijaḥ
one's own
निज
- परःparaḥ
other, a stranger
पर
- वाvā
or
वा
- इतिiti
thus
इति
- गणनाgaṇanā
counting, reckoning
√गण्
- लघुचेतसाम्laghucetasām
of the small-minded
लघु + चेतस्
- उदारचरितानाम्udāracaritānām
of those of noble conduct
उदार + चरित
- तुtu
but
तु
- वसुधाvasudhā
the earth
वसु + √धा
vasudhā eva contracts to vasudhaiva in the verse.
- एवeva
itself, indeed
एव
- कुटुम्बकम्kuṭumbakam
family
कुटुम्ब
Commentary
This iconic verse, often cited as the bedrock of Indian spiritual and political philosophy, originates from the Maha Upanishad. It draws a clear distinction between 'Laghucetasam' (those of small or narrow minds) and 'Udaracharitanam' (those of noble or broad character). For the former, life is a constant calculation of 'mine' vs 'thine'. For those of generous character, however, the whole earth is regarded as family. This ethical breadth may suggest a deeper unity, but the verse itself contrasts narrow calculation with generous character rather than explicitly teaching a metaphysical doctrine. The philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' is not just a poetic sentiment but a call for global ethics, compassion, and shared responsibility.
Original Post
More from Panchatantra
View source pageशुचित्वं त्यागिता शौर्यं सामान्यं सुखदुःखयोः। दाक्षिण्यं चानुरक्तिश्च सत्यता च सुहृद्गुणाः॥
śucitvaṃ tyāgitā śauryaṃ sāmānyaṃ sukhaduḥkhayoḥ । dākṣiṇyaṃ cānuraktiśca satyatā ca suhṛdguṇāḥ ॥
Purity, generosity, courage, steadiness in joy and sorrow, courtesy, affection, and truthfulness are the qualities of a true friend.
उद्यमः साहसं धैर्यं बुद्धिः शक्तिः पराक्रमः। षडेते यत्र वर्तन्ते तत्र दैवं सहायकृत्॥
udyamaḥ sāhasaṃ dhairyaṃ buddhiḥ śaktiḥ parākramaḥ । ṣaḍete yatra vartante tatra daivaṃ sahāyakṛt ॥
Effort, courage, patience, intelligence, strength, and valor prepare a person to receive the help of providence.
स्वाधीनैव समृद्धिर्जनोपजीव्यत्वमुच्छ्रयश्छाया। सत्पुंसो मरुभूरिव जीवनमात्रं समाशास्यम्॥
svādhīnaiva samṛddhir janopajīvyatvam ucchrayaś chāyā । satpuṃso marubhūr iva jīvanamātraṁ samāśāsyam ॥
For a good person, as for a tree standing in the desert, self-reliant abundance, support for others, height and shade come naturally, so only that life itself need be wished for.
More subhashitams on Unity
View topic pageज्ञानवांश्च तथा वाग्मी कर्मस्वपि च निष्ठितः। एवं युक्तोऽपि न श्रेयान् यदि शीलविवर्जितः॥
jñānavāṃśca tathā vāgmī karmasvapi ca niṣṭhitaḥ । evaṃ yukto'pi na śreyān yadi śīlavivarjitaḥ ॥
Knowledge, eloquence, and skill in work do not make a person worthy of esteem if good character is absent.
शुचित्वं त्यागिता शौर्यं सामान्यं सुखदुःखयोः। दाक्षिण्यं चानुरक्तिश्च सत्यता च सुहृद्गुणाः॥
śucitvaṃ tyāgitā śauryaṃ sāmānyaṃ sukhaduḥkhayoḥ । dākṣiṇyaṃ cānuraktiśca satyatā ca suhṛdguṇāḥ ॥
Purity, generosity, courage, steadiness in joy and sorrow, courtesy, affection, and truthfulness are the qualities of a true friend.
अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च। निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः समदुःखसुखः क्षमी॥
adveṣṭā sarvabhūtānāṃ maitraḥ karuṇa eva ca । nirmamo nirahaṅkāraḥ samaduḥkhasukhaḥ kṣamī ॥
The Bhagavad Gita describes a character free from hatred and ego, friendly to all beings and steady in joy and sorrow.