All Shlokas | Sanskrit.Today

अपि मरणमुपैति सा मृगाङ्के
विलसति कैव कथा रसान्तरस्य।
अयि कथमधुना दधाति शान्तिं
विषमशरज्वरतीव्रदेहदाहः॥

Even death would be easier than the burning pain of separation caused by Cupid’s arrows—no other taste remains when love wounds.

love (1567) pain (225) separation (258) death (241) desire (898) agony (6) fire (219) longing (690) sorrow (325) romantic suffering (3)

अपि मानुष्यकं लब्ध्वा भवन्ति ज्ञानिनो न ये।
पशुतैव वरा तेषां प्रत्यवायाप्रवर्तनात्॥

Those who fail to awaken their intellect after gaining human birth are no better than beasts—they miss the true purpose of life.

wisdom (1611) human life (9) purpose (66) ignorance (301) intellect (106) animalism (2) dharma (540) self-realization (37) waste (18) awakening (58)

अपि मार्दवभावेन गात्रं संलीय बुद्धिमान्।
अरिं नाशयते नित्यं यथा वल्ली महाद्रुमम्॥

With gentle persistence, even a tender creeper can destroy a great tree—likewise, calm strategy can overcome brute strength.

strategy (222) subtlety (175) gentleness (44) wisdom (1611) strength (359) victory (118) metaphor (1632) patience (122) intelligence (52) determination (49)

अपि मुदमुपयान्तो वाग्विलासैः स्वकीयैः
परभणितिषु तोषं यान्ति सन्तः कियन्तः।
निजघनमकरन्दस्यन्दपूर्णालवालः
कलशसलिलसेकं नेहते किं रसालः॥

A mango tree full of natural nectar doesn’t crave mere water sprinkling like others; likewise, truly gifted individuals derive joy from their own poet...

self-contentment (1) talent (20) poetry (588) expression (146) comparison (402) mango tree (12) pride (317) fulfillment (89) literary pride (1) authenticity (16)

अपि मृगपतिना करीन्द्रकुम्भ-
स्थलदलनोद्गतपौरुषेण यस्य।
भयचकितदृशा प्रनष्टमुच्चैः
स हि शरभीकुलराजचक्रवर्ती॥

Even the proud lion, after breaking the tusks of mighty elephants, was terrified by a fleeing deer, exposing the unpredictability of fear and fate.

fear (252) pride (317) fate (402) king of beasts (1) humility (596) animal imagery (8) reversal (19) destiny (289) irony (348) contrast (206)

अपि मृद्व्या गिरा लभ्यः सदा जागर्त्यतन्द्रितः।
नास्ति धर्मसमो भृत्यः किंचिदुक्तस्तु धावति॥

A servant of Dharma, ever alert and tireless, is more effective than one who is merely eloquent; even a hint prompts him to act swiftly.

duty (198) speech vs action (1) servant (25) diligence (27) dharma (540) alertness (18) responsiveness (4) morality (248) service (114) virtue (726)

अपि मेरूपमं प्राज्ञम् अपि शूरमपि स्थिरम्।
तृणीकरोति तृष्णैका निमेषेण नरोत्तमम्॥

Even the wisest and most steadfast person can be reduced to insignificance in a moment by insatiable desire.

desire (898) downfall (265) wisdom (1611) comparison (402) meru (4) fleeting strength (1) temptation (79) restraint (226) virtue (726) wisdom tested (1)

अपि यत्सुकरं कर्म तदप्येकेन दुष्करम्।
बिशेषतोऽसहायेन किमु राज्यं महोदयम्॥

Even the simplest task becomes difficult without support; how much harder then to achieve greatness or rule a kingdom alone.

difficulty (15) help (35) support (114) leadership (279) kingdom (21) effort (289) cooperation (12) hardship (47) greatness (146) responsibility (133)

अपि राज्यादपि स्वर्गाद् अपीन्दोरपि माधवात्।
अपि कान्ताकुचस्पर्शात् संतोषः परमं सुखम्॥

True contentment surpasses even kingdom, heaven, or pleasures; even the beloved's touch can’t match inner satisfaction.

contentment (86) pleasure (82) comparison (402) detachment (573) inner peace (18) love (1567) heaven (59) joy (342) satisfaction (26) self-control (91)

अपि लपितुमहं न हन्त शक्तस् तव पुरतः परितापमायताक्ष्याः।
शिव शिव रसना यतो न यत्नाद् अपि यतते निजदाहशङ्कयेव॥

Seeing his beloved's grief, the speaker feels speechless, fearing that even words may further burn his tongue already scorched by guilt.

grief (129) guilt (25) love (1567) pain (225) emotion (652) hesitation (45) restraint (226) sorrow (325) romance (506) fire metaphor (7)