All Shlokas | Sanskrit.Today

उपकारपरः प्रवरः प्रत्युपकारं करोति मध्यस्थः।
नीचस्तदपि न कुरुते उपकार्वशाद् भवति शत्रुः सः॥

A noble helps and returns favors. The average may do one. The base man does neither. But one who becomes your enemy despite your help—is the worst.

gratitude (60) character (259) ethics (803) hierarchy (46) help (35) betrayal (168) classification (15) virtue (726) nobility (253) return (22)

उपकारपरः स्वभावत सततं सर्वजनस्य सज्जनः।
असतामनिशं तथाप्यहो गुरुहृद्रोगकरी तदुन्नतिः॥

The noble always help others, even the wicked. But the rise of the wicked due to such help becomes a great affliction to the noble, like a heart disea...

charity (128) affliction (9) regret (87) wicked (15) helping (2) consequences (70) virtue (726) misuse (21) pain (225) morality (248)

उपकारप्रधानः स्याद् अपकारपरेऽप्यरौ।
संपद्विपत्स्वेकमना हेतावीर्ष्येत् फले न तु॥

One may help even the ungrateful or rival without attachment to outcomes. The wise focus on the cause, not on who benefits or whether it yields fruit.

selfless action (1) detachment (573) cause (24) rival (2) wisdom (1611) karma (500) virtue (726) help (35) fruitlessness (6) philosophy (290)

उपकारमेव तनुते विपद्गतः सद्गुणो नितराम्।
मूर्च्छां गतो मृतो वा निदर्शनं पारदोऽत्र रसः॥

In distress, the virtuous show their strength in helping others, even as they fade. Like mercury that shines even when crushed, their true essence glo...

virtue (726) crisis (16) helping (2) essence (70) mercury (2) resilience (105) grace (359) character (259) comparison (402) nobility (253)

उपकारशतेनापि गृह्यते केन दुर्जनः।
साधुः संमानमात्रेण भवत्येवात्मविक्रयी॥

A wicked person isn’t moved even by a hundred favors. A noble soul, however, surrenders himself at the slightest honor or respect.

gratitude (60) virtue (726) wickedness (75) honor (131) dignity (146) perception (181) character (259) humility (596) transformation (252) nobility (253)

उपकारशतेनापि दानैश्चापि सुविस्तरैः।
लालनात् प्रीतिपूर्वाच्च न ग्राह्यो भगिनीसुतः॥

Even endless help and generosity cannot make one’s sister’s son an heir. Blood relations and affection hold firm boundaries despite help or closeness.

inheritance (19) relation (4) propriety (25) gratitude (60) boundaries (11) nephew (1) gift (11) limits (17) kinship (20) duty (198)

उपकारश्चापकारो यस्य व्रजति विस्मृतिम्।
पाषाणहृदयस्यास्य जीवतीत्यभिधा मुधा॥

One who forgets both favor and offense easily has a stone-heart. Such a man is barely alive though breathing. Forgetfulness of emotion is emotional de...

forgetfulness (8) gratitude (60) ingratitude (16) offense (5) stone heart (2) lifelessness (2) apathy (1) memory (202) emotion (652) ethics (803)

उपकाराच्च लोकानां निमित्तान्मृगपक्षिणाम्।
भयाल्लोभाच्च मूर्खाणां मैत्री
स्याद् दर्शनात् सताम्॥

People may befriend the noble out of fear, greed, or obligation—like animals do—but only the noble recognize virtue through true sight.

motivation (38) nobility (253) friendship (209) fear (252) greed (141) sight (7) ethics (803) true virtue (2) perception (181) society (152)

उपकारादृतेऽप्याशु मित्रं श्रेयसि तिष्ठति।
मित्रवान् साधयत्यर्थान् दुःसाध्यानप्यनादरात्॥

Even without help, a real friend supports your betterment. Such a friend achieves the impossible out of sheer regard, not obligation.

friendship (209) value (170) sincerity (46) support (114) guidance (149) nobility (253) honor (131) respect (164) miracle (19) selflessness (65)

उपकाराय न जातः सपदि सुजातः क्व जातवैरेऽपि।
ग्रासयति ग्रस्तोऽपि द्रोहिणममृतानि रोहिणीरमणः॥

Even the moon, who sweetens poison and heals enemies, was not born to help—but still nourishes. A true great soul helps naturally, even the harmful.

benevolence (15) nature (950) poison (101) moon (394) grace (359) redemption (20) help (35) greatness (146) transformation (252) enemies (78)