Maitra

According to ancient Hindu literature i.e. Veda
The following are of the kind of friends:

* One who has played with you in the dust, i.e. in childhood
* One who is bound by an obligation
* One who is of the same disposition and fond of the same things
* One who is a fellow student
* One who is acquainted with your secrets and faults, and whose faults and secrets are also known to you
* One who is a child of your nurse
* One who is brought up with you one who is an hereditary friend

These friends should possess the following qualities:

* They should tell the truth
* They should not be changed by time
* They should be favourable to your designs
* They should be firm
* They should be free from covetousness
* They should not be capable of being gained over by others
* They should not reveal your secrets