All Shlokas | Sanskrit.Today

कवलितमिह नालं कन्दलं चेह दृष्टम्
इह हि कुमुदकोशे पीतमम्भः सुशीतम्।
इति विरटति रात्रौ पर्यटन्ती तटान्ते
सहचरपरिमुक्ता चक्रवाकी वराकी॥

As night falls, the lonely chakravāka bird—separated from her mate—wanders by the riverside, muttering sorrowfully of having tasted lotuses and cool w...

loneliness (17) separation (258) chakravāka (4) nature (950) sorrow (325) riverside (5) longing (690) love (1567) symbolism (947) poetic imagery (180)

कविः करोति काव्यानि पण्डितो वेत्ति तद्रसम्।
कामिनीकुचकाठिन्यं पतिर्जानाति नो पिता॥

The poet creates poetry, the scholar savors its meaning—but only the lover knows the intimate firmness of his beloved’s bosom, not her father. A contr...

poetry (588) love (1567) knowledge (279) intimacy (234) scholar (13) poet (24) father (19) experience (37) humor (128) comparison (402)

कविः करोति काव्यानि स्वादु जानाति पण्डितः।
सुन्दर्या अपि लावण्यं पतिर्जानाति नो पिता॥

The poet composes verses, the scholar discerns their beauty, but only the husband truly knows the charm of his beloved—never the father.

poetry (588) aesthetics (180) love (1567) intimacy (234) perception (181) contrast (206) emotion (652) satire (211) understanding (28) sensuality (306)

कविः करोति पद्यानि लालयत्युत्तमो जनः।
तरुः प्रसूते पुष्पाणि मरुद् वहति सौरभम्॥

The poet creates verses, the noble person nurtures them; as the tree bears flowers and the breeze carries their fragrance.

poetry (588) nurturing (21) virtue (726) flowers (85) fragrance (199) nature (950) support (114) inspiration (83) creation (117) refinement (55)

कविः पिता पोषयति पालको रसिकः पतिः।
कवितायुवतेर्नूनं सोदरास् तु विवेकिनः॥

The poet is like a father to poetry, the patron a protector, the lover a relisher—but only the wise are like brothers to her, with pure intentions.

poetry (588) metaphor (1632) family roles (1) wisdom (1611) love (1567) rasika (6) poet (24) patronage (11) virtue (726) symbolism (947)

कविः सूयति काव्यानि हृदा दधति सज्जनाः।
सूते मुक्ताः पयोराशिर् वहन्ति तरुणीस्तनाः॥

The poet births poetry, good people internalize it; just as the ocean gives pearls and youthful breasts nourish with milk.

poetry (588) heart (148) goodness (36) metaphor (1632) ocean (160) pearls (42) nourishment (35) creativity (54) beauty (1797) comparison (402)

कविताकलनेन किं नृपाणां
यदि कवयो न लभन्ति पूर्णकामाः।
नयनेन किमेणलोचनानां यदि वक्रं न विलोकिता युवानः॥

What use is poetry if kings ignore the poet’s needs? What use are eyes if maidens don’t catch a young man’s glance?

poetry (588) appreciation (18) desire (898) utility (42) royalty (92) sensuality (306) satire (211) love (1567) beauty (1797) youth (261)

कविताकुन्दविकासन-
कृतिने विजितजनतानिदाघाय।
दलितोद्दामाघाय प्रणतिं कलयामि माघाय॥

I bow to Māgha, whose poetry opens like jasmine, conquers pride, breaks arrogance, and inspires reverence with his sublime verses.

māgha (1) poetry (588) elegance (171) reverence (112) surrender (223) metaphor (1632) beauty (1797) humility (596) inspiration (83) praise (189)

कविता वनिता कस्य न मोदाय सचेतसः।
रस एव सदा तस्या नरीनर्तीव सर्वतः॥

Poetry, like a beautiful woman, delights every mindful person. Her rasa (essence) dances around the world.

poetry (588) beauty (1797) rasa (33) delight (52) metaphor (1632) femininity (225) creativity (54) consciousness (36) joy (342) universality (29)

कवित्वं न शृणोत्येव कृपणः कीर्तिवर्जितः।
नपुंसकः किं कुरुते पुरःस्थितमृगीदृशा॥

A miser, without honor, cannot appreciate poetry—what can an impotent man do in the presence of a doe-eyed beauty?

poetry (588) appreciation (18) worthlessness (6) desire (898) incapacity (3) satire (211) ignorance (301) femininity (225) ridicule (21) metaphor (1632)