All Shlokas | Sanskrit.Today

अस्त्यप्रतिसमाधेयं स्तनद्वन्द्वस्य दूषणम्।
स्फुटतां कञ्चुकानां यन् नायात्यावरणीयताम्॥

The breasts are so perfect that even their coverings fail to hide them properly—the verse teases divine or feminine beauty that defies modesty.

eroticism (60) beauty (1797) exaggeration (34) modesty (103) attraction (147) femininity (225) satire (211) poetic sensuality (5) bold (1) divine feminine (40)

अस्त्युत्तरस्यां दिशि देवतात्मा हिमालयो नाम नगाधिराजः।
पूर्वापरौ तोयनिधी वगाह्य स्थितः पृथिव्या इव मानदण्डः॥

To the north lies the divine Himalayas, the king of mountains, standing between two oceans like the very measuring rod of earth.

himalayas (15) divine (346) geography (6) grandeur (57) symbolism (947) vedic (19) sacred (66) india (5) nature (950) poetic description (10)

अस्त्येकं भुवनं सूक्ष्मं क्षमध्वे यत्र वीक्षितुम्।
विषयांश्चित्रविद्यायाश् चित्राणां चलतां तथा॥

There exists a subtle world, visible only through art. In miniature or grand expression, all elements come to life—art mirrors the world.

art (73) subtlety (175) vision (81) aesthetics (180) creativity (54) universe (43) imagination (48) perception (181) painting (4) poetic philosophy (3)

नाटकाख्यायिकानां च शक्यान् सर्वविधानपि।
स्फुरणा जायते प्रायस् तत एव कलाकृताम्॥

Through art, one can portray every drama, story, and human emotion—art becomes the womb of all possibility.

drama (36) art (73) creativity (54) narrative (3) emotion (652) aesthetics (180) theater (2) expression (146) universality (29) potential (22)

अस्त्येव भूभृतां मूर्ध्नि दिवि वा द्योततेऽम्बुदः।
मरुद्भिर्भज्यमानोऽपि स किमेति रसातलम्॥

Even though the cloud shines on mountaintops or in the sky, once struck by winds it never reaches the depths—likening fame to instability.

fame (166) impermanence (242) nature (950) symbolism (947) clouds (59) mountaintop (1) instability (44) wind (88) poetic wisdom (16) fleeting (14)

अस्त्येवोद्दामदावानलविकलतरं काननं यत्र तत्र
प्रौढोत्तापाभिभूतं जगदपि सकलं निर्जला एव नद्यः।
किं रे निर्लज्ज गर्जं कलयसि बहुशस्तर्जयन् पान्थबालाः
पर्जन्य त्वाममी किं क्वचिदपि गणयन्त्यम्बुदत्वेन लोकाः॥

Even as the forests burn and rivers run dry, and the entire world is scorched, you thunder arrogantly, O cloud, without yielding rain. You terrify chi...

drought (8) arrogance (135) inefficacy (1) thundercloud (1) natural disappointment (1) cosmic irony (5) child’s fear (1) lost power (1) vanity (38) environmental metaphor (1)

अस्त्रं विमुच्य सकलं प्रथमप्रयोगे
भूयोऽपि हन्तुमबलां विहितोद्यमस्य।
पुष्पायुधस्य वपुरेव तदीयमेकं लक्ष्यं
च हन्त शरधिश्च तदा बभूव॥

The god of love (Kamadeva) used up all his arsenal in the first strike, yet again aimed at the fragile beloved. His form remained beautiful like a blo...

kamadeva (27) love (1567) destruction (292) beauty (1797) repetition (30) divine weapons (2) irony (348) vulnerability (51) passion (501) mythological symbolism (1)

अस्त्रं स्त्री वामनो मर्त्यः पशुरेभ्योऽथवेतरः।
विधियोगाद् भवेत् कामं पौरुषं न परित्यजेत्॥

Whether woman, dwarf, human or even animal — anyone can possess weapons due to fate — but one must never abandon manliness (strength of spirit).

gender roles (13) power (396) destiny (289) inner strength (40) valor (156) social commentary (43) weaponry (12) determination (49) dharma (540) human agency (1)

अस्त्रज्वालावलीढप्रतिबलजलधेरन्तरौर्वायमाणे सेनानाथे
स्थितेऽस्मिन् मम पितरि गुरौ सर्वधन्वीश्वराणाम्।
कर्णालं संभ्रमेण व्रज कृप समरं मुञ्च हार्दिक्यशङ्कां
ताते चापद्वितीये वहति रणधुरं को भयस्यावकाशः॥

When my father, teacher of all warriors, stood amidst the battlefield consumed by flaming missiles, O Karna, go without fear! As he shoulders the burd...

war (144) courage (146) father (19) guru (43) battlefield (41) flames (3) dharma (540) valor (156) fearlessness (52) heroic lineage (1)

अस्त्रप्रयोगखुरलीकलहे गणानां
सैन्यैर्वृतोऽपि जित एव मया कुमारः।
एतावतापि परिरभ्य कृतप्रसादः
प्रादादिमं प्रियगुणो भगवान् गुरुर्मे॥

Though surrounded by clashing armies and weapons, I won the prince. My teacher, moved by affection, embraced me and blessed me, revealing his grace.

battle (121) grace (359) affection (216) warrior (55) teacher (35) blessing (166) victory (118) inner worth (15) gratitude (60) divine favor (8)