All Shlokas | Sanskrit.Today

अस्तमितविषयसङ्गा मुकुलितनयनोत्पला मृदुश्वसिता।
ध्यायति किमप्यलक्ष्यं नित्यं योगाभियुक्तेव॥

Detached from sense-objects, her eyes closed like lotus buds, breathing gently, she appears absorbed in formless meditation — as if in constant yoga.

detachment (573) meditation (82) yoga (85) lotus (346) breath (43) focus (47) inwardness (2) peace (171) asceticism (87) spiritual vision (9)

अस्तमीयुषि निशाकरे सती रागतोऽतिविधुरा कुमुद्वती।
षट्पदं गरलमग्रहीन् मुखे संमुखेऽपि खगशब्दवारिता॥

The lily, saddened by moon’s setting, unknowingly accepts a bee bearing poison, mistaking it for comfort — a metaphor for misplaced trust in love.

love (1567) deception (224) sadness (18) moon (394) lily (3) poison (101) bee (69) sorrow (325) romance (506) metaphor (1632)

अस्तव्यस्तमितस्ततः पथि पतन् मद्यं महादुद्वमन्
हस्ताभ्यां मुखमक्षिकाः परिणुदन् गालीर्गदन् गद्गदन्।
उत्तालैः शिशुभिर्भृशं वलयितो बीभत्समूर्तिर्महान्
मत्तो दक्षिणतः क्षणं क्षिप दृशं मत्तोऽयमागच्छति॥

A drunken man stumbles, vomits, swats flies, mutters abuse — an embodiment of excess and loss of control. A moral-poetic caution.

intoxication (44) disorder (11) loss (191) moral (7) excess (25) drunkenness (3) chaos (59) warning (153) downfall (265) misbehavior (3)

अस्तव्यस्तसमीरकम्पिततया दृष्टेस्तिरस्कारिणीं
हस्तेनालकवल्लरीमकुटिलामानीय कर्णान्तिकम्।
उद्वीक्ष्य प्रियमार्गमध्वगवधूरस्तं गते भास्वति
छिन्नाशा स्वनिवेशमेति शनकैः स्वप्नेक्षणाशंसिनी॥

A woman sees her beloved departing at dusk, wind trembling her curls, hope fading. She retreats home slowly, dreams her only solace.

love (1567) departure (21) sorrow (325) wind (88) dusk (22) despair (67) memory (202) yearning (59) woman (157) poetic grief (10)

अस्तव्यस्तान् क्रमततगतीन् पत्रिमालातरङ्गान्
वेणीदण्डानिव धृतवती मुक्तसंध्याङ्गरागा।
ध्वान्तम्लानांशुकपरिचयच्छन्नलावण्यशोच्या
द्यौः प्रत्यग्रद्युमणिविरहाद्वान्तमक्ष्णोर्न याति॥

The sky, veiled in chaotic twilight, hides its beauty like a woman covered by worn garments after losing her ornaments — grief of nature itself.

twilight (40) loss (191) beauty (1797) metaphor (1632) grief (129) sky (64) veils (1) sorrow (325) nature (950) lament (41)

अस्ताद्रिपार्श्वमुपजग्मुषि तिग्मभासि
जानीत शीतकिरणोऽभ्युदितो न वेति।
चारा इवाथ रजनीतिमिरप्रयुक्ताश्
चेरुश्चिरं चरणभूमिषु चञ्चरीकाः॥

As the sun descends behind the western mountain, moonlight's uncertainty leaves fireflies fluttering about like spies in a kingdom overtaken by night.

sunset (36) fireflies (2) spies (3) night (145) moonlight (152) metaphor (1632) twilight (40) curiosity (38) nature (950) symbolism (947)

अस्ताद्रिशिरोविनिहित-
रविमण्डलसरसयावघट्टाङ्कम्।
नयतीव कालकौलः
क्वापि नभःसैरिभं सिद्ध्यै॥

The sky, adorned by setting sun touching river-like clouds over mountaintops, resembles an elephant adorned for battle — fierce yet majestic.

sunset (36) cloud (56) mountain (48) symbolism (947) battle (121) sky (64) metaphor (1632) grandeur (57) nature (950) vividness (3)

अस्ताभिमुखे सूर्ये उदिते संपूर्णमण्डले चन्द्रे।
गमनं बुधस्य लग्ने उदितास्तमिते च केतौ॥

When sun sets and moon is full, Mercury rises. These astronomical signs govern astrology. Also metaphorically, light fades, but wisdom (Budha) arises.

astronomy (7) astrology (51) planets (9) moonrise (28) wisdom (1611) timing (92) mercury (2) celestial events (1) symbolism (947) light (147)

अस्तावलम्बिरविबिम्बतयोदयाद्रि-
चूडोन्मिषत्सकलचन्द्रतया च सायम्।
संध्याप्रनृत्तहरहस्तगृहीतकांस्य-
तालद्वयेव समलक्ष्यत नाकलक्ष्मीः॥

In twilight, the mountain seems to hold the setting sun and rising moon — as if the cosmos itself is performing a grand celestial drama.

twilight (40) mountain (48) sun (195) moon (394) beauty (1797) cosmic play (16) evening (14) celestial (62) harmony (120) imagery (157)

अस्ताविलरूक्षाक्ष्यो मूषकनयनाश्च न शुभदा गावः।
प्रचलच्चिपिटविषाणा करटाः खरसदृशवर्णाश्च॥

Cows with red, mouse-like eyes, drooping horns, and dull hues are inauspicious — a traditional sign, used here to depict signs of decline.

omen (58) cow (12) astrology (51) symbolism (947) decline (52) inauspicious (8) tradition (283) agriculture (22) nature (950) signs (31)