All Shlokas | Sanskrit.Today

आत्मनः प्रीयते नात्मा परतः स्वत एव वा।
लक्षयेऽलब्धकामं त्वां चिन्तया शबलं मुखम्॥

The self is not pleased either by oneself or others; I see your face pale with worry—clearly, your desires remain unfulfilled.

desire (898) dissatisfaction (14) worry (13) self (30) unfulfilled (7) pale face (1) poetic imagery (180) introspection (83) longing (690) reflection (267)

आत्मनः शक्तिमुद्वीक्ष्य मानोत्साहौ तु यो व्रजेत्।
शत्रूनेकोऽपि हन्याच्च क्षत्रियान् भार्गवो यथा॥

One who examines his own strength and proceeds with courage and pride can vanquish even many enemies—like Bhargava (Parashurama) did.

strength (359) confidence (11) strategy (222) victory (118) courage (146) parashurama (8) valor (156) power (396) self-assessment (2) warriors (20)

आत्मनश्च परित्राणे दक्षिणानां च संगरे।
स्त्रीविप्राभ्युपपत्तौ च घ्नन् धर्मेण न दुष्यति॥

In self-defense, protecting the weak, or in righteous war, one who kills does not incur sin—especially for warriors.

dharma (540) self-defense (5) war (144) ethics (803) justification (7) sin (135) protection (293) valor (156) righteousness (134) women (268) brahmins (21)

आत्मनश्च परेषां च प्रतापस्तव कीर्तिनुत्।
भयकृद् भूपतेर्बाहुर् द्विषां च सुहृदां च ते॥

Your valor brings fame, evokes fear among enemies and admiration among friends—such is the strength of a king’s arm.

valor (156) glory (92) king (200) strength (359) fear (252) fame (166) leadership (279) friends (23) enemies (78) royalty (92) arms (17)

आत्मनश्च परेषां च यः समीक्ष्य बलाबलम्।
अन्तरं नैव जानाति स तिरस्क्रियतेऽरिभिः॥

One who fails to judge the strength and weakness of self and others is bound to be scorned by enemies.

analysis (5) judgment (94) strength (359) weakness (61) failure (101) strategy (222) enemies (78) respect (164) intelligence (52) foresight (47)

आत्मनश्चपलो नास्ति कुतोऽन्येषां भविष्यति।
तस्मात् सर्वाणि कार्याणि चपलो हन्त्यसंशयम्॥

If one is not fickle even toward oneself, how can he be towards others? Fickleness ruins all endeavors without doubt.

steadiness (33) fickleness (12) consistency (14) failure (101) effort (289) conduct (143) integrity (74) actions (9) discipline (380) resolve (40)

आत्मनश्च प्रजायाश्च दोषदर्श्युत्तमो नृपः।
विनियच्छति चात्मानम् आदौ भृत्यांस्ततः प्रजाः॥

The ideal king first sees his own and his subjects’ faults. He restrains himself first, then his servants, and finally the people.

leadership (279) self-restraint (24) ruler (55) discipline (380) ethics (803) governance (214) hierarchy (46) self-control (91) justice (151) example (24)

आत्मनात्मानमन्विच्छेन् मनोबुद्धीन्द्रियैर्यतैः।
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुर् आत्मैव रिपुरात्मनः॥

Let one seek their true self through controlled mind, intellect, and senses. For the self is both friend and enemy of the self.

self (30) introspection (83) mind (176) control (139) senses (65) friendship (209) enmity (29) spirituality (106) self-realization (37) discipline (380)

आत्मनानर्थयुक्तेन पापे निविशते मनः।
स कर्म कलुषं कृत्वा क्लेशे महति धीयते॥

With a mind engrossed in evil, one commits sin and later suffers great distress due to those very actions.

evil mind (1) karma (500) suffering (358) sin (135) consequences (70) distress (9) regret (87) moral fall (5) mental state (3) remorse (11)

आत्मनाम गुरोर्नाम नामातिकृपणस्य च।
आयुष्कामो न गृह्णीयात् ज्येष्ठापत्यकलत्रयोः॥

One who desires a long life should not accept names of self, guru, or extremely unfortunate ones as names for their children or belongings.

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