All Shlokas | Sanskrit.Today

काऽव्याकुलिता माद्यति काञ्चनमुद्रां मनोरमामाहुः।
इह कालिकावतंसित-
चन्द्रकला कामिता योग्या॥

Some women are mad for gold coins, while others long for the moon-shaped ornament on Kali’s forehead. Desires vary among individuals, but each has int...

desire (898) women (268) gold (62) beauty (1797) individuality (16) madness (32) longing (690) ornament (58) kali (9) variance (1)

काव्यात्मना मनसि पर्यणमन् पुरा
मे पीयूषसारसरसास् तव ये विलासाः।
तानन्तरेण रमणी रमणीयशीले चेतोहरा
सुकविता भविता कथं नः॥

The poet's heart overflows with sweet poetic play. But without the beloved’s presence, even poetry loses its charm. Love fuels poetic inspiration.

poetry (588) love (1567) muse (5) charm (252) beauty (1797) inspiration (83) longing (690) creativity (54) separation (258) beloved (86)

काव्यामृतं दुर्जनराहुनीतं
प्राप्यं भवेन् नो सुमनोजनस्य।
सच्चक्रमव्याजविराजमान-
तैक्ष्ण्यप्रकर्षं यदि नाम न स्यात्॥

Even the nectar of poetry becomes toxic if consumed by the wicked. Like a sharp weapon in wrong hands, brilliance must be guided by virtue.

poetry (588) nectar (110) wickedness (75) danger (229) sharpness (4) virtue (726) metaphor (1632) misuse (21) knowledge (279) art (73)

काव्ये गान्धर्वे नृत्तशास्त्रे
विधिज्ञं दक्षं दातारं दक्षिणं दाक्षिणात्यम्।
वेश्या का नेच्छेत् स्वामिनं कोङ्कणानां स्याच्चेदस्य
स्त्रीष्वार्जवात् संनिपातः॥

In poetry, music, and dance, the South Indian man is well-versed and skilled. Why wouldn’t a woman from Konkana want such a graceful, generous man? Th...

poetry (588) music (96) dance (75) south india (5) konkana (1) generosity (169) pride (317) women (268) humor (128) tradition (283)

काव्येन मूर्खधनिनं प्रणयेन नीचं
वेश्यां श्रुतेन शठशात्रवमार्जवेन।
इच्छन्ति ये जगति रञ्जयितुं विमूढास्
तेषामरण्यरुदितेन समः प्रयासः॥

Trying to charm fools with poetry or win rogues with love is as futile as crying in the forest. It mocks those who seek admiration from the unworthy.

poetry (588) folly (51) flattery (35) wisdom (1611) futility (143) fools (12) social satire (9) ignorance (301) worthlessness (6) effort (289)

काव्ये भाव्यं गुणैस् तत्र दुर्जना दूषयन्ति यत्।
न दुर्गतगृहे संधिर् दीयते जातु दस्युभिः॥

Even if a poem is virtuous, the wicked find faults in it. Just as one wouldn't ally with bandits, wise people avoid corrupt criticism.

poetry (588) criticism (79) virtue (726) wickedness (75) morality (248) judgement (4) alliance (16) wisdom (1611) trust (112) ethics (803)

काव्ये भव्यतमेऽपि विज्ञनिवहैरास्वाद्यमाने
मुहुर् दोषान्वेषणमेव मत्सरजुषां नैसर्गिको दुर्ग्रहः।
कासारेऽपि विकासिपङ्कजचये खेलन्मराले पुनः
क्रौञ्चश्चञ्चुपुटेन कुञ्चितवपुः शम्बूकमन्वेषते॥

Even in the most beautiful poetry, jealous critics find faults, like a crane in a lotus pond pecking at shells while swans enjoy the flowers.

poetry (588) jealousy (88) critics (2) beauty (1797) symbolism (947) lotus (346) swan (53) crane (7) metaphor (1632) negativity (3)

काव्ये शुभे विरचिते खलु नो खलेभ्यः
कश्चिद् गुणो भवति यद्यपि सम्प्रतीह।
कुर्यां तथापि सुजनार्थमिदं यतः किं
यूकाभयेन परिधानविमोक्षणं स्यात्॥

Even if poetry isn't appreciated by the wicked, it should still be written for the good-hearted—just like one doesn’t undress due to lice fear.

poetry (588) virtue (726) intention (29) critics (2) goodness (36) value (170) metaphor (1632) perseverance (72) dharma (540) poetic duty (1)

काव्येषु नाटकं रम्यं तत्रापि च शकुन्तला।
तत्रापि च चतुर्थोऽङ्कस् तत्र श्लोकचतुष्टयम्॥

Among all poetic forms, drama is the most delightful, especially Kālidāsa’s Abhijñānaśākuntalam, and most particularly its fourth act with its quartet...

poetry (588) drama (36) kalidasa (12) shakuntala (1) beauty (1797) literature (31) act four (1) verse (14) aesthetics (180) preference (6)

काव्यैकपात्रविलसद्गुणदोषदुग्ध-
पाथःसमूहपृथगुद्धरणे विदग्धाः।
जानन्ति कर्तुमभियुक्ततया विभागं
चन्द्रावदातमतयः कविराजहंसाः॥

The true connoisseur of poetry can separate virtues and flaws like expert swan-like critics, distinguishing milk from water—revealing poetic mastery.

poetry (588) critique (50) metaphor (1632) swan (53) discrimination (65) refinement (55) aesthetics (180) beauty (1797) intelligence (52) mastery (34)