All Shlokas | Sanskrit.Today

उत्तमानामपि स्त्रीणां विश्वासो नैव विद्यते।
राजप्रियाः कैरविण्यो रमन्ते मधुपैः सह॥

Even the best of women are not entirely trustworthy—like royal lotuses that still attract bees (lovers).

women (268) trust (112) metaphor (1632) bees (131) beauty (1797) attraction (147) skepticism (4) femininity (225) perception (181) caution (269)

उत्तमानुत्तमानेव गच्छन् हीनांश्च वर्जयन्।
ब्राह्मणः श्रेष्ठतामेति प्रत्यवायेन शूद्रताम्॥

A Brahmin attains greatness by associating with the noble; mixing with the low brings downfall—even to the lowest caste.

association (65) conduct (143) downfall (265) brahmin (50) virtue (726) influence (94) integrity (74) caution (269) elevation (28) social status (7)

उत्तमानेव सेवेत प्राप्ते काले तु मध्यमान्।
अधमांस्तु न सेवेत य इच्छेच् श्रेय आत्मनः॥

One should serve the best, and if unavailable, the average—never the worst—if one desires self-upliftment.

service (114) company (17) self-betterment (1) discernment (142) guidance (149) choice (37) association (65) growth (95) dharma (540) wisdom (1611)

उत्तमाभिजनोपेतान् न नीचैः सह वर्धयेत्।
कृशोऽपि हि विवेकज्ञो याति संश्रयणीयताम्॥

Even a weak but intelligent person from a good family is worthy of respect; one should not raise noble with the base.

lineage (79) wisdom (1611) respect (164) character (259) upbringing (2) intellect (106) worthiness (29) caution (269) tradition (283) social divide (1)

उत्तमाश्चात्मना ख्याताः पित्रा ख्याताश्च मध्यमाः।
अधमा मातुलैः ख्याताः श्वशुरैश्चाधमाधमाः॥

The best are known through themselves, the average through fathers, and the lowest through maternal or marital ties.

identity (65) self-worth (35) lineage (79) fame (166) hierarchy (46) societal values (3) judgment (94) independence (29) status (41) tradition (283)

उत्तमास् ताजिकाः प्रोक्ताः पारसीकाः समुद्रजाः।
कोक्काणाखतलाणाश्च तथा सौराष्ट्रजा हयाः॥

Among horses, those from Tajikistan, Persia, the sea, and regions like Saurashtra are regarded as the best breeds.

horses (28) breeds (2) geography (6) excellence (39) persia (1) tajik (1) sea-horses (1) quality (23) animals (45) tradition (283)

उत्तमे तु क्षणं कोपो मध्यमे घटिकाद्वयम्।
अधमे स्यादहोरात्रं चाण्डाले मरणान्तिकः॥

A noble's anger is momentary, the average’s lasts for 48 minutes, the base's for a day, and the wicked’s until death.

anger (185) temperament (7) forgiveness (114) comparison (402) nobility (253) emotional control (3) character (259) duration (2) reaction (24) restraint (226)

उत्तमेनोत्तमं सर्वं मनुष्याणां प्रयत्नतः।
अदृष्टमीक्ष्य सर्वेषां वक्तव्यं सुविचक्षणैः॥

All efforts by noble men aim at excellence. Even in fate, the wise must speak only after deep discernment.

excellence (39) speech (345) discernment (142) effort (289) nobility (253) fate (402) wisdom (1611) intention (29) action (258) righteousness (134)

उत्तमे विघ्नवत्तास्ति अधमो दुःखभाजनम्।
तस्मात् सर्वत्र योग्यत्वाच्
श्रेष्ठो वै मध्यमः स्मृतः॥

The best face obstacles, the worst bear misery—hence the average, being balanced, is often considered superior.

obstacles (34) struggle (49) suffering (358) balance (185) comparison (402) judgment (94) realism (46) moderation (48) resilience (105) destiny (289)

उत्तमैः सह स गेन को न याति समुन्नतिम्।
मूर्ध्ना तृणानि धार्यन्ते ग्रथितैः कुसुमैः सह॥

One who associates with the noble rises high—just as blades of grass gain honor when woven with flowers.

association (65) nobility (253) rise (19) honor (131) humility (596) flowers (85) metaphor (1632) growth (95) support (114) community (14)