All Shlokas | Sanskrit.Today

अस्मिन् वर्षमहे न वर्तत इदं यत्कामदेवोत्सवे
स्थेयं पुत्रि निरन्नया तदधुना किंचिन् मुखे दीयताम्।
इत्युक्ते जरतीजनेन कथमप्यध्वन्यवध्वा ततः
पर्यस्तेऽहनि कल्पितश्च कवलो धौतश्च धाराश्रुभिः॥

In the year of famine, even the spring festival (Kāmadeva’s) lacks charm. A mother, starving, gives the last morsel to her daughter, weeping.

famine (6) love (1567) sacrifice (146) hunger (39) motherhood (36) pain (225) tears (84) compassion (359) realism (46) suffering (358)

अस्मिन् वसन्ते न नराः सहन्ते
वधूवियोगं च बलासरोगम्।
कुरङ्गनाभिद्रवलेपभाभिर् भजन्तु
दृप्ताः प्रमदाः प्रलिप्ताः॥

In this spring, men can't bear separation from their beloveds, while proud women, smeared in perfumes, flaunt their joys. A contrast of moods.

spring (134) love (1567) separation (258) women (268) pride (317) perfume (17) joy (342) contrast (206) season (20) emotions (40)

अस्मिन् सखे ननु मणित्वमहासुभिक्षे
चिन्तामणे त्वमुपलो भव मा मणिर्भूः।
अद्येदृशा हि मणयः प्रभवन्ति लोके
येषां तृणग्रहणकौशलमेव भूषा॥

In a world where mere stones are praised as gems, friend, be a real jewel – not for show but for substance. A critique of false appearances.

gem (20) value (170) stone (3) pretense (35) wisdom (1611) friendship (209) integrity (74) metaphor (1632) truth (300) appearance (60)

अस्मिन् स्थिते विपदभूद् इति संचिन्त्य वर्ज्यते।
मूढैः परिवृढैरापत्सेवको मङ्गलेच्छुभिः॥

When one serves during misfortune, fools later avoid him in good times. A sharp remark on ungratefulness.

misfortune (65) service (114) betrayal (168) gratitude (60) wisdom (1611) human nature (88) loyalty (180) neglect (55) truth (300) realism (46)

अस्मि वीरजननीति जनन्याम् अस्मि वीररमणीति रमण्याम्।
संमदं व्यदधदुत्सुकचेतास् तारतूर्यतरलश्चलितोऽन्यः॥

“I am mother of a hero,” says the mother; “I am lover of a hero,” says the beloved. A different man, stirred by passion, rushes to war in confusion.

valor (156) love (1567) motherhood (36) heroism (93) passion (501) confusion (52) war (144) pride (317) roles (19) poetic irony (23)

अस्मि वीरतनया वरवीर- प्रेयसी च कुरु वीरसवित्रीम्।
अद्य हृद्यसमरैरिति माता काचिदाह तिलकाक्षतपूर्वम्॥

A mother, adorning her daughter for war, declares: “You are daughter of a hero, beloved of one – now become a savior.” A scene of fierce grace.

heroism (93) daughter (7) mother (35) war (144) love (1567) strength (359) blessing (166) womanhood (59) pride (317) tradition (283)

अस्मै करं प्रवितरन्तु नृपा न कस्माद्
अस्यैव तत्र यदभूत् प्रतिभूः कृपाणः।
दैवाद् यदा प्रवितरन्ति न ते तदैव
नेदंकृपा निजकृपाणकरग्रहाय॥

Let kings extend their hands not just for favors but to hold the sword of justice when fortune grants them power.

justice (151) kingship (164) sword (39) fortune (115) power (396) nobility (253) responsibility (133) ethics (803) strength (359) royalty (92)

अस्य क्षोणिपतेः परार्धपरया लक्षीकृताः संख्यया
प्रज्ञाचक्षुरवेक्ष्यमाणतिमिरप्रख्याः किलाकीर्त्तयः।
गीयन्ते स्वरमष्टमं कलयता जातेन वन्ध्योदरान्
मूकानां प्रकरेण कूर्मरमणीदुग्धोदधेः रोधसि॥

The king’s glories are sung even in depths unreachable by dull minds, as if his fame is milk churned from the cosmic ocean.

glory (92) king (200) fame (166) cosmic ocean (2) depth (43) wisdom (1611) poetry (588) majesty (29) grandeur (57) metaphor (1632)

अस्यत्युच्चैः शकलितवपुश्चन्दनो नात्मगन्धं
नेक्षुर्यन्त्रैरपि मधुरतां पीड्यमानो जहाति।
यद्वत् स्वर्णं न चलति हितं छिन्नघृष्टोपतप्तं
तद्वत् साधुः कुजननिहतोऽप्यन्यथात्वं न याति॥

Sandalwood retains its scent even when crushed, just as gold doesn’t lose purity when burned. Likewise, the noble remain virtuous even when harmed by ...

virtue (726) sandalwood (48) resilience (105) gold (62) metaphor (1632) nobility (253) character (259) adversity (67) strength (359) values (171)

अस्य दग्धोदरस्यार्थे किं न कुर्वन्ति पण्डिताः।
वानरीमिव वाग्देवीं नर्तयन्ति गृहे गृहे॥

For the sake of satisfying their stomachs, scholars sometimes go to any extent—they even make the goddess of speech (Sarasvati) dance like a monkey in...

satire (211) poverty (128) scholarship (20) speech (345) sarasvati (9) livelihood (17) criticism (79) eloquence (61) survival (91) humor (128) household performance (1)