All Shlokas | Sanskrit.Today

अप्रियं यस्य कुर्वीत भूयस् तस्य प्रियं चरेत्।
अचिरेण प्रियः स स्याद् योऽप्रियः प्रियमाचरेत्॥

If someone has wronged you, treat them kindly to regain goodwill—transforming enmity into affection.

kindness (75) transformation (252) goodwill (4) behavior (249) redemption (20) patience (122) relationships (94) humility (596) forgiveness (114) love (1567)

अप्रियमुक्ताः पुरुषाः प्रयतन्ते द्विगुणमप्रियं वक्तुम्।
तस्मादवाच्यमप्रियम् अप्रियमश्रोतुकामेन॥

People who hear unpleasant truths may respond with greater bitterness—so avoid such truths if they don’t wish to hear them.

unpleasant truth (2) restraint (226) reaction (24) communication (65) tact (2) judgment (94) emotional intelligence (4) listening (10) bitterness (22) etiquette (38)

अप्रियवचनदरिद्रैः प्रियवचनाढ्यैः स्वदारपरितुष्टैः।
परपरिवादनिवृत्तैः क्वचित् क्वचिन् मण्डिता वसुधा॥

The world is occasionally decorated by people who are rich in sweet words, loyal to their spouses, and free from slander.

virtue (726) loyalty (180) speech (345) relationships (94) integrity (74) nobility (253) discipline (380) marriage (104) contentment (86) character (259)

अप्रियवचनाङ्गारैर् दग्धोऽपि न विप्रियं वदत्यार्यः।
किं दह्यमानमगरु स्वभावसुरभिं परित्यजति॥

Like sandalwood burning but never losing its scent, noble people speak kindly even when hurt—true nature endures.

nature (950) nobility (253) restraint (226) pain (225) character (259) metaphor (1632) dignity (146) essence (70) virtue (726) moral strength (10)

अप्रियस्यापि वचसः परिणामाविरोधिनः।
वक्ता श्रोता च यत्रास्ति रमन्ते तत्र संपदः॥

Even unpleasant speech, if truthful and beneficial, is welcomed in the presence of a receptive listener—wisdom values truth over flattery.

truth (300) speech (345) benefit (12) wisdom (1611) listening (10) unpleasantness (5) acceptance (68) virtue (726) communication (65) integrity (74)

अप्रियाण्यपि कुर्वन्तः स्वार्थायोद्यत चेष्टिताः।
पण्डिता नोपलभ्यन्ते वायसैरिव कोकिलाः॥

Those who do unpleasant things for the sake of right action are like rare, melodious birds amidst crows—true wise ones.

unpleasant duty (1) action (258) ethics (803) rarity (48) metaphor (1632) wisdom (1611) courage (146) sacrifice (146) symbolism (947) justice (151)

अप्रियाण्यपि कुर्वाणो निष्ठुराण्यपि च ब्रुवन्।
चेतः प्रह्लादयत्येव सर्वावस्थासु वल्लभः॥

Even when performing hard actions or speaking harshly, a beloved remains dear when their intent is love and truth.

harshness (22) love (1567) trust (112) action (258) speech (345) acceptance (68) loyalty (180) devotion (933) emotional intelligence (4) duality (134)

अप्रियाण्यपि कुर्वाणो यः प्रियः प्रिय एव सः।
दग्धमन्दिरसारेऽपि कस्य वह्नावनादरः॥

A person doing harsh acts with love is still dear—just like fire in a fragrant home is still respected.

fire (219) metaphor (1632) affection (216) conflict (90) love (1567) respect (164) warmth (36) character (259) depth (43) relationships (94)

अप्रियाण्यपि पथ्यानि ये वदन्ति नृणामिह।
त एव सुहृदः प्रोक्ता अन्ये स्युर्नामधारकाः॥

Those who say unpleasant but beneficial things are true friends; others are merely companions in name.

friendship (209) truth (300) unpleasantness (5) wisdom (1611) advice (48) reality (54) care (37) distinction (11) support (114) authenticity (16)

अप्रिया न भविष्यन्ति प्रियो मे न भविष्यति।
अहं च न भविष्यामि सर्वं च न भविष्यति॥

A melancholic reflection that nothing and no one—beloveds, joys, or even the self—will remain; everything is impermanent.

impermanence (242) loss (191) detachment (573) emotion (652) sadness (18) time (242) reflection (267) mortality (89) emptiness (35) philosophy (290)