The verse
The full verse contrasts two ways of seeing: small-minded people count "this one is mine, that one is a stranger"; for the large-hearted, the whole earth is one family.
Maha Upanishad 6.71–72
अयं निजः परो वेति गणना लघुचेतसाम् ।
उदारचरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम् ॥
ayaṃ nijaḥ paro veti gaṇanā laghucetasām |
udāracaritānāṃ tu vasudhaiva kuṭumbakam ||
"This one is my own, that one is a stranger" — so reckon the narrow-minded. For those of noble conduct, the whole earth is one family.
Living it today
- Treat neighbours, colleagues and strangers as family.
- Welcome guests with warmth, whatever their background.
- Help in times of disaster, near or far.
- Respect other paths, remembering "ekam sat".
Frequently asked questions
Where does "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" come from?
From the Maha Upanishad (6.71–72); a similar verse appears in the Hitopadesha.
What does it mean?
"The whole earth is one family" — for the large-hearted there are no strangers.