All Shlokas | Sanskrit.Today

का द्यौः, किं बलसद्म, का वसुमती, स्यात् सर्वमेतद्
यदि प्रत्यक्षं न भवेत् कदाचिदपि किं ते सर्वसन्दर्शिनः।
भ्राम्यन्तः प्रलपन्तु नाम विदितं मण्डूक सम्यक् त्वया
मुक्त्वेमं परमं कुकूपमितरत् किं नाम संभाव्यते॥

The frog-in-the-well is mocked for rejecting the infinite universe and clinging to his small world. A sharp allegory on ignorance and narrow-mindednes...

ignorance (301) frog (7) narrowness (2) illusion (355) allegory (15) wisdom (1611) pride (317) perception (181) limitation (28) satire (211)

कानने सरिदुद्देशे गिरीणामपि कन्दरे।
पश्यन्त्यन्तकसंकाशं त्वामेकं रिपवः पुरः॥

Even in forests and caves, enemies fear you as if you were death itself. A vivid portrayal of a warrior’s awe-inspiring might and inescapable power.

fear (252) enemy (92) power (396) omnipresence (17) forest (145) caves (2) dread (2) valor (156) warrior (55) symbolism (947)

का नाम बुद्धिहीनस्य विधेरविदग्धता।
कूष्माण्डानां न यश्चक्रे तैलमूर्णां च दन्तिनाम्

Satirizing the foolishness of expecting oil from gourds or wool from elephants — mocking futile expectations and lack of discernment.

foolishness (88) satire (211) futility (143) expectation (16) irony (348) wisdom (1611) gourd (2) elephant (117) mockery (46) logic (35)

कानि स्थानानि दग्धान्यतिशयगहनाः सन्ति के वा
प्रदेशाः किं वा शेषं वनस्य स्थितमिति पवनासङ्गविस्पष्टतेजाः।
चण्डज्वालावलीढस्फुटिततरुलताग्रन्थिमुक्ताट्टहासो दावाग्निः
शुष्कवृक्षे शिखरिणि गहनेऽधिष्ठितः पश्यतीव॥

A wild forest fire is described as a devourer laughing through trees, examining untouched spaces to consume. A poetic personification of destruction.

forest fire (3) destruction (292) personification (29) nature (950) imagery (157) intensity (49) devouring (1) fire (219) poetic metaphor (101) danger (229)

कानीनस् तु पितामहः समभवत् पित्रादयो गोलकास्
तत्पुत्राश्च युधिष्ठिरप्रभृतयः कुण्डा ह्यमी पाण्डवाः।
पञ्चानां द्रुपदात्मजा सहचरी युद्धे हता बान्धवा श्रीकृष्णेन
कुलं कलङ्कनिचितं नीतं जगद्वन्दितम्॥

Despite their questionable lineage, the Pandavas became world-honored heroes through Krishna’s grace, transforming family disgrace into glory.

lineage (79) grace (359) krishna (233) pandavas (9) transformation (252) karma (500) glory (92) honor (131) dharma (540) redemption (20)

कानीनस्य मुनेः स्वबान्धववधूवैधव्यविध्वंसिनो
नप्तारः खलु गोलकस्य तनयाः कुण्डाः स्वयं पाण्डवाः।
तेऽमी पञ्च समानयोनिरतयस् तेषां गुणोत्कीर्तनाद् अक्षय्यं
सुकृतं भवेदविकलं, धर्मस्य सूक्ष्मा गतिः॥

Though the origins of the Pandavas are tangled in controversy, their merit and Krishna’s blessing ensured eternal praise. A reflection on dharma’s sub...

dharma (540) subtlety (175) lineage (79) krishna (233) merit (120) pandavas (9) justice (151) morality (248) fate (402) redemption (20)

कान्तं कन्दर्पपुष्पं स्तनतटशशिनं रागवृक्षप्रवालं
शय्यायुद्धाभिघातं सुरतरथरणश्रान्तधुर्यप्रतोमद्।
उन्मेषं विम्रमाणां करजपदमयं गुह्यसम्भोगचिह्नं रागाक्रान्ता
वहन्तां जघननिपतितं कर्कशाः स्त्रीकिशोर्यः॥

Young women bear the hidden signs of secret romantic union — bruises, tousled hair, fatigue — poetic expressions of passionate encounters.

passion (501) youth (261) secrecy (61) desire (898) physicality (30) romance (506) sensuality (306) expression (146) poetic imagery (180) feminine beauty (26)

कान्तं खलगिरा काव्यं लभते भूयसीं रुचम्।
स्पृष्टं च दंष्ट्त्रया हृद्यं यथा हेमविभूषणम्॥

Just as gold shines even when touched by a fang, so does poetry become more radiant when ironically praised by a villain.

irony (348) poetry (588) beauty (1797) gold (62) satire (211) villain (4) appreciation (18) value (170) metaphor (1632) authenticity (16)

कान्तं निरीक्ष्य वलयाङ्कितकण्ठदेशं
मुक्तास्तया परभिया परुषा न वाचः।
दूतीमुखे मृगदृशा स्खलदम्बुपूरा दूरात्परं
निदधिरे नयनान्तपाताः॥

She sees bangle marks on his neck and says nothing aloud. Her tears and sidelong glances reveal all. A poignant portrayal of jealousy and silent sorro...

jealousy (88) silence (94) love (1567) betrayal (168) expression (146) gaze (69) pain (225) feminine grace (48) heartbreak (65) restraint (226)

कान्तं रूपं यौवनं चारुलीलं
दानं दाक्षिप्यं वाक् च सामोपपन्ना।
यं प्राप्यैते सद्गुणाः भान्ति सर्वे लोके
कामिन्यः का न तस्य प्रसाद्याः॥

A man of beauty, generosity, youth, and eloquence is irresistible. All virtues shine brighter in his presence, making him desirable to all women.

attraction (147) beauty (1797) eloquence (61) generosity (169) youth (261) women (268) desirability (2) ideal man (5) virtues (49) admiration (97)