Chanakya Niti · Chapter 5
Chanakya Niti 5.16 meaning
vritha vrishtih samudreshu vritha triptasya bhojanam
vritha danam samarthasya vritha deepo div-api cha
वृथा वृष्टिः समुद्रेषु वृथा तृप्तस्य भोजनम् ।
वृथा दानं समर्थस्य वृथा दीपो दिवापि च ॥
Rain falling on the ocean is wasted, food for someone already full is wasted, a gift to someone already well-off is wasted, and a lamp in daylight is wasted.
What it means
Help is most valuable where it's truly needed. Direct your time, money and kindness toward people who lack them, not toward those who already have plenty. Give with thought.हिंदी में अर्थ
समुद्र पर बरसना व्यर्थ है, भरे पेट को भोजन देना व्यर्थ है, समर्थ को दान देना व्यर्थ है और दिन में दीपक जलाना व्यर्थ है।
मदद वहीं सबसे क़ीमती है जहाँ सच में ज़रूरत हो। अपना समय, पैसा और दया उन्हें दो जिनके पास कमी है, न कि जिनके पास पहले से बहुत है।
Spoken by Chanakya.
Scroll scripture, not noise
Get a verse like this every day, with chanting as you scroll. The Gita, Ramayana, Kabir, Upanishads and more: 4,596 verses, plus panchang, japa and festival reminders.