All Shlokas | Sanskrit.Today

अकपर्द्दकस्य विफलं जनुरिति जानीमहे महेशोऽपि।
शिरसि कृतेन कपर्द्दी भवति जटाजूटकेनापि॥

This is a witty and satirical verse that plays on the word kaparda (cowrie shell/money, and matted hair). It says, "We understand that the life of one...

pun in sanskrit (1) shlesha alankara (1) social satire (9) subhashita (71) lord shiva (11) mahesha (1) kapardi (1) jata (2) wit and humor (1) sanskrit poetry (3) worldly wisdom (3)

अकरवमधिमौलि पादपद्माव्
अपनय मानिनि मानितामकाण्डे।
यदि पररमणीं गतस्तदाथ
स्तनयुगलिङ्गयुगं स्प्र्शामि तन्वि॥

This verse captures a moment from a romantic quarrel where a male lover is pleading with his proud and angry beloved. He says, "I have placed your lot...

nayaka-nayika (1) manini (1) shringara rasa (9) sanskrit love poetry (4) romantic quarrel (2) pleading lover (1) amaru shataka (style) (1) intimate oath (1) apology in love (1)

अकरुण कातरमनसा दर्शितनीरा निरन्तरालेयम्।
त्वामनुधावति विमुखं गङ्गेव भगीरथं दृष्टिः॥

This is a poignant verse spoken to a merciless lover. The speaker says, "O merciless one! My tearful, continuous gaze, with a heart full of pining, fo...

viraha (18) unrequited love (14) shringara rasa (9) simile (upama) (1) ganga and bhagiratha (1) pining lover (1) merciless beloved (1) sanskrit love poetry (4) poetic expression (6)

अकरुणत्वमकारणविग्रहः परधनापहृतिः परयोषितः।
स्वजनबन्धुजनेष्वसहिष्णुता प्रकृतिसिधमिदं हि दुरात्मनाम्॥

This Nīti shloka provides a clear definition of the innate characteristics of a wicked person. It lists them as: mercilessness, starting quarrels for ...

niti shastra (15) subhashita (71) characteristics of the wicked (1) duratma (1) moral verse (2) sanskrit wisdom (3) dharma (540) ethics (803) sanskrit proverbs (3) human nature (88)

अकरोः किमु नेत्रशोणिमानं किमकार्षीः करपल्लवावरोधम्।
कलहं किमधाः क्रुधा रसज्ञे हितमर्थं न विदन्ति दैवदष्टाः॥

O connoisseur of sentiments, why did you make your eyes red (with anger)? Why did you try to stop me with your tender hands? Why did you quarrel in ra...

fate (402) anger (185) love (1567) quarrel (29) misunderstanding (41) destiny (289) emotions (40)

अकर्णमकरोच्छेषं विधिर्ब्रह्माण्डभङ्गधीः।
श्रुत्वा रामकथां रम्यां शिरः कस्य न कम्पते॥

Hearing the beautiful story of Rama, whose head does not shake in appreciation? It is so powerful that the Creator (Brahma), fearing the destruction o...

rama (81) ramayana (52) devotion (933) praise (189) awe (43) brahma (37) shesha (10) ramakatha (1)

अकर्णधाराशुगसंभृताङ्गतां गतैररित्रेण विनास्य वैरिभिः।
विधाय यावत्तरणेर्भिदामहो निमज्ज्य तीर्णः समरे भवार्णवः॥

Oh, what a wonder! By riddling the body of the warrior with arrows (like a ship without a helmsman or oars) and piercing it, the enemies, by sinking h...

warrior (55) battle (121) salvation (44) metaphor (1632) heroism (93) moksha (63) bhava sagara (1) death (241)

अकर्तव्यं न कर्तव्यं प्राणैः कण्ठगतैरपि।
कर्तव्यमेव कर्तव्यं प्राणैः कण्ठगतैरपि॥

What ought not to be done must not be done, even if one's life is at the throat (at the point of death). What ought to be done must be done, even if o...

duty (198) dharma (540) ethics (803) righteousness (134) morality (248) sacrifice (146) principle (9)

अकर्तव्येष्वसाध्वीव तृष्णा प्रेरयते जनम्।
तमेव सर्वपापेभ्यो लज्जा मातेव रक्षति॥

Greed/Desire, like a wicked woman, impels a person towards forbidden actions. Shame/Conscience, like a mother, protects that very person from all thos...

greed (141) shame (67) conscience (8) morality (248) virtue (726) sin (135) personification (29) desire (898)

अकर्मणां वै भूतानां वृत्तिः स्यान् न हि काचन।
तदेवाभ्रिप्रपद्येत न विहन्यात् कथंचन॥

For beings who do not act, there can be no means of livelihood whatsoever. Therefore, one should take up work (symbolized by a spade) and should never...

action (258) karma (500) work (9) livelihood (17) sustenance (24) idleness (3) duty (198)