All Shlokas | Sanskrit.Today

कान्तारः समराख्यश्च वैकुण्ठो वाञ्छितस् तथा।
विशालश्च तथा नन्दः षोढाः निःसारुको भवेत्॥

Whether it's war, heaven, joy, or fame — the one who is not tested in adversity is unworthy of their name.

trial (7) adversity (67) false claim (2) war (144) heaven (59) name (9) character (259) authenticity (16) endurance (85) worthiness (29)

कान्तारपादपानां यथा फलं मानुषैरननुभोग्यम्।
एवमनार्येष्वर्थाः मनसाऽप्यार्यैरननुभोग्याः॥

Just as fruits deep in the forest remain untouched, so do noble thoughts — they are inaccessible to the unworthy.

forest (145) fruit (43) nobility (253) worthiness (29) thought (27) inaccessibility (4) wisdom (1611) analogy (98) depth (43) inner value (6)

कान्तारभूमिरुहमौलिनिवासशीलाः
प्रायः पलायनपरा जनवीक्षणेन।
कूजन्ति तेऽपि हि शुकाः खलु रामनाम सङ्गः
स्वभावपरिवर्तविधौ निदानम्॥

Even parrots change by chanting Rama’s name — the power of association transforms nature. A hopeful note on change through devotion.

transformation (252) parrots (4) devotion (933) name (9) chanting (14) nature (950) behavior (249) hope (116) change (49) spirituality (106)

कान्तारवनदुर्गेषु कृच्छ्रास्वापत्सु संभ्रमे।
उद्यतेषु च शस्त्रेषु नास्ति सत्त्ववतां भयम्॥

In forests, battles, or peril, the brave do not fear — valor protects them where danger reigns.

courage (146) danger (229) forest (145) bravery (52) strength (359) fearlessness (52) warrior spirit (1) resilience (105) nobility (253) honor (131)

कान्ता रुचिं मुनिजनस्तरुणोऽवियोगी
कामश्च रत्नमणिरुज्ज्वलकङ्कणेन।
धत्ते पयोधरयुगे कुचभूषणेन हारे
हरे हिमकरे मकरे करे च॥

A single pair of breasts adorned with a gem-studded bracelet holds desire, renunciation, youth, and moonlight — all contradictions of life meet in bea...

desire (898) renunciation (267) youth (261) moonlight (152) beauty (1797) contradiction (28) breasts (50) symbolism (947) mystery (83) irony (348)

कान्तारे घनतिमिरे भुजंगमेभ्यो
नो भीता न च गणिता महापगापि।
किं बाले वहसि भयं मदङ्गसंगात् विक्रीते
करिणि किमङ्कुशे विवादः॥

In a dark forest filled with snakes and rivers, a young girl is unafraid beside her lover. Then why fear a small hook on a tamed elephant?

love (1567) courage (146) fearlessness (52) metaphor (1632) lover (13) elephant (117) contrast (206) intimacy (234) security (13) irony (348)

कान्तारे जलवृक्षवैरिणि मुहुस्त्वद्वैरिवामभ्रुवो
बालैराकुललोचनैः प्रतिपदं रुद्धक्रमाश्चङ्क्रमे।
पृथ्वीचण्डरुचे पटच्चरदशासंघट्टदीप्तप्रभं
सिञ्चन्त्यञ्जलिसञ्चिताश्रुभिरलं युष्मत्प्रतापानलम्॥

Even young boys with tear-filled eyes fight the cruel elements, showing loyalty to the king — their dedication is like water attempting to quench fire...

loyalty (180) courage (146) elements (32) tears (84) forest (145) boys (1) fire (219) devotion (933) symbolism (947) sacrifice (146)

कान्तारे दैवगत्या कथमपि गलितान्यन्तरालोक्य
भक्ष्याण्य् उड्डीयोड्डीय भूयस् तरुशिखरशिखामेव तेभ्यः श्रयन्ते।
इत्थं त्वद्वैरिनारी गिरिषु नरपते जम्बुलम्बीकदम्ब-
भ्रान्त्या भर्तुर्बुभुक्षोः कथयति
पुरतश्चेष्टितं षट्पदानाम्॥

Hungry in the mountains, a queen watches bees hover near fruit — the poet describes her longing and helplessness with delicate irony.

hunger (39) bees (131) mountains (32) longing (690) irony (348) fruit (43) queen (7) helplessness (100) nature (950) satire (211)

कान्तारेषु करावलम्बिशिशवः पादैः स्रवल्लोहितैर्
अर्चन्त्यः पदवीं विलोचनजलैरावेदयन्त्यः शुचम्।
दृष्टाः पान्थजनैर्विवृत्य सकृपं हाशब्दगर्भैर्मुखैर्
यन्त्यह्ना सकलेन योजनतुरीयांशं तवारिस्त्रियः॥

In remote forests, enemy women, holding their children’s hands, walk with bleeding feet, shedding silent tears — a powerful image of war’s sorrow.

war (144) sorrow (325) women (268) forest (145) tears (84) blood (19) motherhood (36) defeat (25) silence (94) pain (225)

कान्तारेषु च काननेषु च सरित्तीरेषु च क्ष्माभृताम्
उत्सङ्गेषु च पत्तनेषु च सरिद्भर्तुस्तटान्तेषु च।
भ्रान्ताः केतकगर्भपल्लवरुचः श्रान्ता इव क्ष्मापते कान्ते
नन्दनकन्दलीपरिसरे रोहन्ति ते कीर्तयः॥

Wandering through forests, rivers, cities, and peaks — the king’s glory, like blooming sandal groves, spreads everywhere. His fame transcends geograph...

fame (166) glory (92) travel (44) sandal trees (1) king (200) nature (950) conquest (55) prosperity (136) beauty (1797) poetic imagery (180)