All Shlokas | Sanskrit.Today

आनृशंस्यं परो धर्मः सर्वप्राणभृतां मतः।
तस्माद् राजानृशंस्येन पालयेत् कृपणं जनम्॥

The highest dharma for all beings is compassion. Therefore, a king should protect even the weakest of his people with kindness.

kingship (164) compassion (359) justice (151) ethics (803) dharma (540) protector (13) ruler’s duty (3) care (37) responsibility (133) governance (214)

आनृशंस्यमनुक्रोशः श्रुतं शीलं दमः शमः।
राघवं शोभयन्त्येते षड्गुणाः पुरुषोत्तमम्॥

These six qualities—compassion, kindness, learning, virtue, self-control, peace—beautify Lord Rāma, the ideal among men.

lord rama (5) virtues (49) ethics (803) role model (6) character traits (2) compassion (359) kindness (75) peace (171) humility (596) strength (359)

आनेतुं न गता किमु प्रियसखी भीतो भुजङ्गात् किमु
क्रुद्धो वा प्रतिषेधवाचि किमसौ प्राणेश्वरो वर्तते।
इत्थं कर्णसुवर्णकेतकरजःपातोपघातच्छलाद्
अक्ष्णोः कापि नवोढनीरजमुखी बाष्पोदकं मुञ्चति॥

The woman tearfully wonders why her friend hasn’t returned with her beloved—is it fear, anger, or fate? Her tears reveal deeper sorrow masked by socia...

love (1567) sorrow (325) longing (690) friend (28) hidden emotion (6) dramatic irony (1) femininity (225) romantic confusion (1) emotion (652) loss (191)

आन्तरमपि बहिरिव हि व्यञ्जयितुं रसमशेषतः सततम्।
असती सत्कविसूक्तिः काचघटीति त्रयं वेद॥

A base poem by a false poet appears outwardly grand but lacks true rasa. Like fake jewels or deceitful emotions, it fails upon close view.

poetry (588) aesthetics (180) fake art (1) rasa (33) outer vs inner (3) truth (300) deceptive beauty (1) critical view (1) satire (211) wisdom (1611)

आन्तरे चैव बाह्ये च राजा यश्चैव सर्वदा।
आदिष्टो नैव कम्पेत स राजवसतिं वसेत्॥

A king must not falter—internally or externally—when commanded. He must maintain presence of mind and duty even in the face of fear.

ruler (55) steadiness (33) leadership (279) fearlessness (52) command (16) duty (198) inner strength (40) outer discipline (1) king (200) resolve (40)

आन्तरेभ्यः परान् रक्षेत् परेभ्यः पुनरान्तरान्।
परान् परेभ्यः स्वान् स्वेभ्यः सर्वान् रक्षेत सर्वदा॥

A wise ruler protects subjects from external threats and external threats from internal sabotage—thus maintaining full-circle vigilance.

governance (214) vigilance (45) balance (185) security (13) protection (293) ruler’s duty (3) strategy (222) internal vs external (1) wisdom (1611) leadership (279)

आन्दोलनैर्मद्वपुषा लगन्तीं
स्मरामि वेणीं पुरुषायितायाः।
समाचरन्त्याः सुरतोपदेशं
तस्याः कशावल्लिमिव प्रियायाः॥

I recall her gently clinging form, her moving braid like a swinging whip—during the secret lessons of love. Poetic and sensual recollection.

love (1567) memory (202) sensuality (306) poetry (588) intimacy (234) feminine form (16) movement (82) romantic past (2) braid (12) playfulness (86)

आन्दोलयन् गिरिनिकुञ्जकरञ्जराजीर्
नाजीगणः कलभ कंचन पौरुषेण।
ईषत्समुन्मिषितलोचनकोण एव
कण्ठीरवे किमिति जीवितमुज्जहासि॥

The elephant, through strength, shakes entire hillsides—yet his eye trembles slightly. A paradox of power and tenderness.

power (396) paradox (167) elephant (117) trembling (36) strength (359) nature (950) humility (596) symbolism (947) jungle (5) poetry (588)

आन्दोलयन्ती वपुरायताक्षी
हिन्दोलिकायां कनकाङ्गयष्टिः।
अतर्कि लोकैर्गगनान्तरस्था
स्वर्देवतेवाखिलरूपरम्या॥

Her swinging form, eyes wide, in a golden swing—like a goddess between worlds—enchants all with heavenly grace and inaccessible beauty.

beauty (1797) divine (346) swing (4) goddess (297) golden imagery (2) enchantment (37) poetry (588) femininity (225) vision (81) sway (2)

आन्दोलयस्यविरतं गगनार्कमङ्के
तारागणं च शशिनं च तथेतराणि।
तेजांसि भासुरतडित्प्रभृतीनि साधो
चित्रं तथापि न जहासि यदान्ध्यमन्तः॥

Even as you embrace sun, stars, and moon—O seer—you remain blind to your own inner darkness. A reflection on inner blindness despite outer brilliance.

blindness (54) wisdom (1611) irony (348) celestial (62) stars (39) moon (394) metaphor (1632) seer (5) ignorance (301) poetic contrast (26)