All Shlokas | Sanskrit.Today

कर्तव्यमेव कर्तव्यं प्राणैः कण्ठगतैरपि।
अकर्तव्यं न कर्तव्यं प्राणैः कण्ठगतैरपि॥

Even when life is at risk, duty must be done. What is forbidden should never be done—even in danger.

duty (198) integrity (74) risk (17) ethics (803) non-compromise (1) resolve (40) life (126) principles (1) courage (146) values (171)

कर्तव्या चार्थसारेऽपि काव्ये शब्दविचित्रता।
विना घण्टाटणत्कारं गजो गच्छन्न शोभते॥

Poetry must have aesthetic wordplay even if rich in meaning—like an elephant needing a bell for grandeur.

poetry (588) aesthetics (180) meaning (26) beauty (1797) style (2) expression (146) metaphor (1632) creativity (54) elegance (171) literature (31)

कर्तव्यानि च मित्राणि दुर्बलानि बलानि च।
पश्य कूर्मपतिर्बद्धो मूषिकेण विमोचितः॥

Friends should be helped whether weak or strong. A turtle king was once freed by a mere mouse.

friendship (209) help (35) strength (359) weakness (61) equality (64) parable (17) support (114) loyalty (180) mutual aid (2) story (13)

कर्तव्यान्येव मित्राणि सबलान्यबलानि च।
हस्तियूथं वने बद्धं मूषकैर्यद् विमोचितम्॥

Reiterates the duty to support all friends. A tied-up elephant was freed by mice—emphasizing unexpected aid.

duty (198) friendship (209) mutual support (3) elephant (117) mouse (5) story (13) loyalty (180) compassion (359) help (35) wisdom (1611)

कर्तव्ये साहसं नित्यम् उत्कटं हि विगर्हितम्।
अतिसाहसदोषेण भीमः सर्पवशं गतः॥

Courage is always needed in duty, but rashness is condemned—Bhīma suffered due to reckless snake encounter.

courage (146) recklessness (9) bhima (7) danger (229) wisdom (1611) bravery (52) limits (17) caution (269) mahabharata (41) action (258)

कर्तव्यो गुणसंग्रहः परिहते देयं निजं मानसं
श्रोतव्यं वचनामृतं जिनवचः कार्यं यथास्थानवत्।
दातव्यं यतिपुङ्गवेषु निजकं न्यायप्रकल्प्यं धनं श्रद्धेयं
सततं सतां सुचरितश्रेयस्करोऽयं विधिः॥

A noble life involves collecting virtues, speaking wisdom, supporting monks, and giving wealth righteously.

virtue (726) generosity (169) wisdom (1611) dharma (540) ethics (803) speech (345) monks (2) discipline (380) charity (128) guidance (149)

कर्तव्योऽप्याश्रयः श्रेयान् फलं भाग्यानुसारतः।
नीलकण्ठस्य कण्ठेऽपि वासुकिर्वायुभक्षकः॥

Even Vasuki, the mighty serpent, resides on the neck of Shiva—seek refuge where destiny favors, not by power alone.

refuge (45) fate (402) shiva (328) vasuki (3) destiny (289) humility (596) symbolism (947) power (396) support (114) divine (346)

कर्तव्यो भ्रातृषु स्नेहो विस्मर्तव्या गुणेतराः।
संबन्धो बन्धुभिः श्रेयान् लोकयोरुभयोरपि॥

Affection among brothers should be nurtured. Forget faults and value kinship in both worldly and spiritual realms.

brotherhood (10) affection (216) family (165) forgiveness (114) virtue (726) kinship (20) dual worlds (3) relationships (94) tolerance (37) love (1567)

कर्तव्यो हृदि वर्तते यदि तरोरस्योपकारस्
तदा मा कालं गमयाम्बुवाह समये सिञ्चैनमम्भोभरैः।
शीर्णे पुष्पफले दले विगलिते मूले गते शुष्कतां कस्मै किं
हितमाचरिष्यसि परीतापस् तु ते स्थास्यति॥

If you wish to help a tree, do it before it withers. Delayed help only causes regret.

timely help (1) tree (45) regret (87) support (114) action (258) withering (2) urgency (63) benevolence (15) nature (950) consequence (118)

कर्ता कारयिता चैव प्रेषको ह्यनुमोदकः।
सकृतं दुष्कृतं चैव चत्वारः समभागिनः॥

Four share guilt equally: the doer, the instigator, the messenger, and one who approves the misdeed.

accountability (17) guilt (25) ethics (803) responsibility (133) action (258) consent (8) karma (500) justice (151) roles (19) group blame (1)