All Shlokas | Sanskrit.Today

अपराधानुरूपं च दण्डं पापेषु पातयेत्।
उद्वेजयेद्धनैरृद्धान् दरिद्रान् वधबन्धनैः॥

Punish the wicked in proportion to their sins — use wealth to unsettle the rich, and use imprisonment or execution for the poor.

justice (151) punishment (78) law (42) proportion (11) wealth (447) poverty (128) morality (248) equity (1) discipline (380) ruling (2)

अपराधिनि मयि दण्डं संहरसि किमुद्यतं कुटिलकेशि।
वर्धयसि विलसितं त्वं दासजनायात्र कुप्यसि च॥

When I, the offender, submit to you, why do you intensify your pride and anger? Should not your graciousness now shine?

offense (5) submission (23) arrogance (135) humility (596) love (1567) grace (359) pride (317) anger (185) emotion (652) power dynamic (1)

अपराधी नामाहं प्रसीद रम्भोरु विरम संरम्भात्।
सेव्यो जनश्च कुपितः कथं नु दासो निरपराधः॥

I am the offender, O fair-thighed one — show mercy! How can a servant be guiltless if even his master is angry with him?

submission (23) servant (25) guilt (25) love (1567) pleading (5) mercy (44) power (396) forgiveness (114) offense (5) relationship (80)

अपराधीनाशोकः सहते चरणाहतिं सरोजदृशाम्।
विलसितबकुलो वनिता- मुखवासी मद्यपात इव॥

Even the sorrowless Ashoka tree tolerates the kick of lovely women’s feet — like a drunkard who lives in the lips of his beloved.

love (1567) tolerance (37) metaphor (1632) sensuality (306) women (268) nature (950) ashoka tree (4) poetic (84) emotional imagery (2) indulgence (46)

अपराधेऽपि निःशङ्को नियोगी चिरसेवकः।
स स्वामिनमवज्ञाय चरेच्च निरवग्रहः॥

A long-serving official becomes arrogant and commits offense openly, disregarding the master due to overconfidence.

loyalty (180) arrogance (135) betrayal (168) servitude (8) power abuse (1) familiarity (4) overconfidence (3) warning (153) behavior (249) loyalty shift (1)

अपराधो न मेऽस्तीति नैतद् विश्वासकारणम्।
विद्यते हि नृशंसेभ्यो भयं गुणवतामपि॥

Claiming to be guiltless is no guarantee of safety — even virtuous people fear the cruel.

cruelty (55) innocence (103) fear (252) virtue (726) injustice (73) societal truth (2) nobility (253) distrust (10) unpredictability (46) morality (248)

अपराधो मया कान्ते कृतो यदि त्वया मतः।
निपात्य गिरिशृङ्गोच्चौ कुचौ किं न निपीड्यते॥

If you believe I have wronged you, my dear, then let your high bosom crush me in punishment — such is my devotion.

love (1567) punishment (78) surrender (223) devotion (933) affection (216) poetic exaggeration (31) romance (506) reconciliation (32) emotion (652) appeal (8)

अपराह्णशीतलतरेण शनैर् अनिलेन लोलितलताङ्गुलये।
निलयाय शाखिन इवाह्वयते ददुराकुलाः खगकुलानि गिरः॥

In the cool afternoon breeze, swaying tree branches call birds to return to their nests — an image of tranquil harmony.

nature (950) evening (14) tranquility (14) birds (57) breeze (68) harmony (120) return (22) nesting (1) poetic imagery (180) peace (171)

अपरित्यक्तमात्मानम् इच्छता पण्ययोषिताम्।
नित्यौपयोगिकं द्रव्यम् आत्मसारं प्रदर्शयेत्॥

When seeking a woman as a commodity, one should present oneself honestly, without forsaking self-respect — as true worth shows itself.

self-worth (35) honesty (38) woman (157) commodity (1) dignity (146) romantic exchange (1) value (170) desire (898) respect (164) sincerity (46)

अपरीक्षितपरवञ्चनम् अञ्चति लोभादपेक्षितप्रेक्षी।
व्याधूतपक्षमवशो विहन्यते पक्षिवत् क्षितिपः॥

A king who acts without examining deception becomes helpless like a bird caught mid-flight — overwhelmed by trickery.

deception (224) naivety (7) examination (3) strategy (222) downfall (265) metaphor (1632) leadership (279) prudence (75) loss (191) vulnerability (51)