All Shlokas | Sanskrit.Today

कचमूलबद्धपन्नग-
निश्वासविषाग्निधूमहतमध्यम्।
ऐशानमिव कपालं स्फुटलक्ष्मा स्फुरति शशिबिम्बम्॥

The full moon rises in the sky, yet it appears tainted—like a skull blackened by the smoke of venomous serpents bound at its root. The poetic imagery ...

moon (394) metaphor (1632) skull (4) serpent (37) smoke (10) poison (101) fire (219) curse (24) beauty (1797) taint (1) symbolism (947) night (145)

कचा यूकावासा मुखमजिनबद्धास्थिनिचयम्
कुचौ मांसग्रन्थी जठरमपि विष्ठादिधटिका।
मलोत्सर्गे यन्त्रं जघनमबलायाः क्रमयुगं
तदाधारस्थूणे तदिह किमु रागाय महताम्॥

The poet dismantles the illusion of beauty in a woman's body: hair infested, face made of bones, breasts of flesh, belly of filth, hips a support syst...

detachment (573) body (170) illusion (355) anatomy (16) renunciation (267) beauty (1797) reality (54) wisdom (1611) spiritual view (2) disgust (7)

कचैरर्धच्छिन्नैः करनिहितरक्तैः कुचतटैर्
नखोत्कृत्तैर्गण्डैरुपलहतिशीर्णैश्च निटिलैः।
विदीर्णैराक्रन्दाद् विकलगदितैः कण्ठविवरैर्
मनस्तक्ष्णोत्यन्तःपुरपरिजनानां स्थितिरियम्॥

The condition of palace women after violent encounters is described in graphic detail: torn hair, bleeding hands, scratched cheeks, fractured voices. ...

violence (51) palace (26) trauma (2) women (268) suffering (358) concealment (30) wounds (7) critique (50) social commentary (43) silence (94)

कच्चित् कान्तारभाजां भवति परिभवः कोऽपि शौवापदो
वा प्रत्यूहेन क्रतूनां न खलु मखभुजो भुञ्जते वा हवींषि।
कर्तुं वा कच्चिदन्तर्वसति वसुमतीदक्षिणः सप्ततन्तुर्
यत्संप्राप्तोऽसि किं वा रघुकुलतपसामीदृशोऽयं विवर्तः॥

Does a wild forest ever feel dishonored? Do obstacles prevent sacrifices? Do noble lineages collapse by chance? This verse reflects on the mystery of ...

fate (402) reversal (19) forest (145) sacrifice (146) nobility (253) obstacles (34) destiny (289) questioning (27) epic lineage (1) reflection (267)

कच्चित् पशव्यं निरुजं भूर्यम्बुतृणवीरुधम्।
वृहद्वनं तदधुना यत्रास्से त्वं सुहृद्वृतः॥

Is the forest, rich with cattle, water, grass, and herbs, still flourishing? And are you still residing there surrounded by loving friends? This shlok...

forest (145) inquiry (13) wellbeing (5) friendship (209) nature (950) rural (8) cattle (5) harmony (120) peace (171) environment (29) affection (216)

कच्चित् सहस्रान् मूर्खाणाम् एकमिच्छसि पण्डितम्।
पण्डितो ह्यर्थकृच्छ्रेषु
कुर्यान् निःश्रेयसं महत्॥

Do you desire a thousand fools or a single wise man? For in times of crisis, only a wise man can bring lasting benefit. The verse extols the practical...

wisdom (1611) foolishness (88) practicality (16) crisis (16) choice (37) value (170) benefit (12) intellect (106) virtue (726) leadership (279)

कच्चित् सौम्य प्रियसहचरी विद्युदालिङ्गति
त्वाम् आविर्भूतप्रणयसुमुखाश्चातका वा भजन्ते।
पौरस्त्यो वा सुखयति मरुत्साधुसंवाहनाभिर्
विष्वग्बिभ्रत्सुरपतिधनुर्लक्ष्म लक्ष्मीं तनोति॥

Gentle one, does your beloved still embrace you like lightning flashing from the sky? Do the gentle winds and celestial blessings continue to grace yo...

romance (506) blessing (166) lightning (40) wind (88) grace (359) divine favor (8) reunion (36) tenderness (83) longing (690) celestial (62)

कच्चित् सौम्य व्यवसितमिदं बन्धुकृत्यं
त्वया मे प्रत्यादेशान्न खलु भवतो धीरतां तर्कयामि।
निःशब्दोऽपि प्रदिशसि जलं याचितश् चातकेभ्यः प्रत्युक्तं
हि प्रणयिषु सतामीप्सितार्थक्रियैव॥

O noble one, I trust you've fulfilled your family duties. You remain silent yet provide water to thirsty birds—your actions speak louder than words. L...

duty (198) silence (94) noble action (2) fulfillment (89) family (165) subtlety (175) humility (596) service (114) metaphor (1632) compassion (359)

कच्चिदर्थेन वा धर्मम् अर्थं धर्मेण वा पुनः।
उभौ वा प्रीतिलोभेन कामेन न विबाधसे॥

Do you seek wealth through righteousness, or righteousness through wealth—or are you disturbed by the pull of desire? This verse examines the interpla...

dharma (540) artha (11) kama (47) balance (185) ethics (803) wealth (447) desire (898) self-control (91) harmony (120) introspection (83)

कच्चिदर्थं च धर्मं च कामं च जायतां वर।
विभज्य काले कालज्ञ सर्वान् भरत सेवसे॥

Do you, O noble one, serve the people like Bharata, balancing duty, desire, and wealth in the right time and measure? The verse celebrates ideal kings...

duty (198) balance (185) time (242) bharata (5) ideal rule (1) leadership (279) ethics (803) triad of life (1) responsibility (133) service (114)