All Shlokas | Sanskrit.Today

कामदर्पादिशीलानाम् अविचारितकारिणाम्।
आयुषा सह नश्यन्ति सम्पदो मूढचेतसाम्॥

The arrogant, desire-driven, and impulsive lose not only their riches but also their lives. Wisdom is absent in the reckless.

recklessness (9) arrogance (135) downfall (265) foolishness (88) desire (898) impulsiveness (5) destruction (292) wealth loss (3) short-sightedness (3) wisdom (1611)

कामधेनुगुणा विद्या ह्यकाले फलदायिनी।
प्रवासे मातृसदृशी विद्या गुप्तं धनं स्मृतम्॥

Knowledge is like a wish-yielding cow—fruitful in unexpected times. In exile, it is a mother, and secretly held, it is a treasure.

knowledge (279) vidya (6) wisdom (1611) motherly support (1) exile (20) secret wealth (2) unexpected aid (1) learning (126) metaphor (1632) value (170)

कामधेनुधरादीनां दातारः सुलभा भुवि।
दुर्लभः पुरुषो लोके सर्वभूतदयापरः॥

Givers of worldly gifts are common, but rare is one whose heart overflows with compassion for all beings.

compassion (359) charity (128) generosity (169) rare virtue (2) humanity (30) selflessness (65) kindness (75) spiritual greatness (5) ethical living (4) empathy (61)

कामनाम्ना किरातेन वितता मूढचेतसाम्।
नार्यो नरविहंगानाम् अङ्गबन्धनवागुराः॥

Desire, under the name of attraction, becomes a snare. Foolish men and even birds are trapped by the bodily nets of women.

desire (898) entrapment (11) metaphor (1632) women (268) delusion (175) nets (3) birds (57) attraction (147) snare (2) warning (153)

कामपि धत्ते सूकररूपी कामपि रहितामिच्छति भूपः।
केनाकारि च मन्मथजननं केन विराजति तरुणीवदनम्॥

One desires a boar-like form, another seeks a lifeless state; who made Cupid? Who adorned the maiden’s face with such power?

desire (898) contrast (206) beauty (1797) form (41) questioning (27) divine creation (16) cupid (106) philosophy (290) appearance (60) strangeness (3)

कामपि श्रियमासाद्य यस् तद्वृद्धौ न चेष्टते।
तस्यायतिषु न श्रेयो बीजभोजिकुटुम्बवत्॥

One who attains wealth yet doesn't strive to grow it, is like one who eats seeds instead of sowing them—there’s no future benefit.

wealth (447) effort (289) seed metaphor (1) growth (95) prosperity (136) laziness (49) misuse (21) economics (18) planning (72) sustainability (11)

कामप्रसक्तमात्मानं स्मृत्वा पाण्डुं निपातितम्।
निवर्तयेत् तथा क्रोधाद् अनुहादं हतात्मजम्॥

Recall how Pandu was destroyed by desire and Anuha by anger—one must withdraw from these impulses remembering their downfall.

historical lesson (1) pandu (2) desire (898) anuha (1) anger (185) destruction (292) restraint (226) guidance (149) reflection (267) renunciation (267)

कामबन्धनमेवैकं नान्यदस्तीह बन्धनम्।
कामबन्धनमुक्तो हि ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते॥

The only real bondage in this world is desire. One who is free from its grip becomes eligible for Brahmanhood—liberation.

desire (898) bondage (64) freedom (56) brahman (19) liberation (230) moksha (63) non-attachment (11) enlightenment (40) spiritual truth (7) realization (67)

कामबाणप्रहारेण मूर्च्छितानि पदे पदे।
जीवन्ति युवचेतांसि युवतीनां स्मितामृतैः॥

Youthful minds, repeatedly struck by Cupid’s arrows, survive and revive only through the nectar of young women’s smiles.

love (1567) youth (261) desire (898) smile (132) beauty (1797) recovery (9) attraction (147) emotions (40) vitality (17) romantic imagery (28)

काममस्तु जगत् सर्वं कालस्यास्य वशंवदम्।
कालकालप्रपन्नानां कालः किं नः करिष्यति॥

Let the world be full of desire—everything is under Time’s sway. For those surrendered to Time, what harm can Time inflict again?

time (242) fate (402) surrender (223) desire (898) destiny (289) acceptance (68) impermanence (242) philosophy (290) karma (500) cosmic force (3)