All Shlokas | Sanskrit.Today

अपि कापुरुषो भीरुः स्याच्चेन्नृपतिसेवकः।
यदाप्नोति फलं लोकात् तस्यांशमपि नो गुणी॥

A timid royal servant might receive fame, but a virtuous and capable person may not get even a fraction of that reward from the world.

injustice (73) fame (166) service (114) capability (16) merit (120) reward (65) royal court (5) virtue (726) social irony (2) humility (596)

अपि कापुरुषो मार्गे द्वितीयः क्षेमकारकः।
कर्कटेन द्वितीयेन जीवितं परिरक्षितम्॥

Even a coward can be helpful when traveling. Like a second crab protecting the first, a timid companion can sometimes ensure safety.

coward (2) protection (293) journey (57) crab (1) safety (26) friendship (209) irony (348) loyalty (180) companionship (52) metaphor (1632)

अपि कालस्य यः कालः सोऽपि कालमपेक्षते।
कर्तुं जगन्ति हन्तुं वा कालस्तेन जगत्प्रभुः॥

Even the master of time must wait for the right moment. Time, being the true lord of the world, controls all creation and destruction.

time (242) fate (402) destiny (289) creation (117) destruction (292) control (139) timing (92) cosmic law (15) divine (346) moment (14)

अपि कीर्त्यर्थमायान्ति नाशं सद्योऽतिमानिनः।
न चेच्छन्त्ययशोमिश्रम् अप्येवानन्त्यमायुषः॥

The excessively proud seek fame and meet ruin. They cannot bear even a little infamy, though life itself is fleeting.

pride (317) downfall (265) fame (166) disgrace (17) mortality (89) vanity (38) humility (596) ruin (53) arrogance (135) wisdom (1611)

अपि कुञ्जरकर्णाग्राद् अपि पिप्पलपल्लवात्।
अपि विद्युद्विलसिताद् विलोलं ललनामनः॥

A woman's restless heart may be enchanted by anything — the tip of an elephant's ear, a tender leaf, or even a lightning flash.

feminine (63) desire (898) mind (176) emotion (652) comparison (402) beauty (1797) fascination (4) nature (950) subtlety (175) attraction (147)

अपि क्रियार्थं सुलभं समित्कुशं
जलान्यपि स्नानविधिक्षमाणि ते।
अपि स्वशक्त्या तपसि प्रवर्तसे
शरीरमाद्यं खलु धर्मसाधनम्॥

Sacred materials like twigs and water may be easy to obtain, but one must also possess the strength and will to perform austerities. The body is indee...

dharma (540) austerity (57) action (258) strength (359) body (170) sacred ritual (1) commitment (2) readiness (12) self-effort (11) spiritual path (48)

अपि घोरापराधस्य धर्ममाश्रित्य तिष्ठतः।
स हि प्रच्छाद्यते दोषः शैलो मेघैरिवासितैः॥

Even severe sins get veiled when one lives righteously. Just as a dark cloud can hide a mountain, dharma conceals past errors.

sin (135) righteousness (134) concealment (30) forgiveness (114) dharma (540) cloud (56) mountain (48) redemption (20) morality (248) analogy (98)

अपि चाप्यफलं कर्म पश्यामः कुर्वतो जनान्।
नान्यथा ह्यभिजानन्ति वृत्तिं लोके कथंचन॥

Even fruitless actions define a person’s character — the world understands someone only through their conduct, regardless of the outcome.

karma (500) action (258) character (259) perception (181) society (152) fruitlessness (6) behavior (249) judgment (94) virtue (726) effort (289)

अपि चिन्तामणिश्चिन्तापरिश्रममपेक्षते।
इदं त्वचिन्तितं मन्ये कृतमाश्चर्यमार्यया॥

Even a wish-fulfilling gem requires intent, while this achievement seems to have occurred without thought — a true marvel accomplished by a noble one.

miracle (19) effort (289) spontaneity (10) wonder (66) virtue (726) nobility (253) fulfillment (89) planning (72) surprise (35) awe (43)

अपि चेत् सुदुराचारो भजते मामनन्यभाक्।
साधुरेव स मन्तव्यः सम्यग् व्यवसितो हि सः॥

Even if a person has committed great misdeeds, if they worship Me with unwavering devotion, they must be considered noble — for their resolve is firm....

devotion (933) transformation (252) forgiveness (114) faith (68) determination (49) redemption (20) spiritual path (48) krishna (233) nobility (253) virtue (726)