पञ्चतंत्र - काकोलूकीय - न्याय

मानाद्वा यदि वा लोभात् क्रोधाद्वा यदि वा भयात् ।
यो न्यायमन्यथा ब्रूते स याति नरकं नरः ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, काकोलूकीय

If a person (judge) gives bad judgment due to prejudice, greed or fear he will go to hell.

- Panchatantra, Kakolukiya, Justice

हितोपदेश - सन्धि - आत्मवत्सर्वभूतेषु

मातृवत्परदारेषु परद्रव्येषु लोष्ठवत् ।
आत्मवत्सर्वभूतेषु यः पश्यति स पण्डितः ॥

- हितोपदेश, सन्धि

A wise man will treat other people's wives as his own mother. He treats other people's wealth as a lump of mud (stone). He will treat every being in this world with compassion as he would treat himself.

- Hitopadesha, Sandhi

हितोपदेश - विद्या

माता शत्रुः पिता वैरी बालो येन न पाठितः ।
न शोभते सभा मध्ये हंसमध्ये बको यथा ॥

- हितोपदेश

Both the mother and father are enemies of a child if they do not educate him. He will be a misfit in any gathering - like a duck among swans.

- Hitopadesha

पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रभेद - बुद्धिमतः

महतां योऽपराध्येते दूरस्थोऽस्मीति नाश्वसेत् ।
दीर्घौ बुद्धिमतो बाहू ताभ्यां हिंसति हिंसकम् ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रभेद

One must not hurt mighty people, run away and live peacefully. The arms of wise men are long (great reach) and they will hurt you back.

- Panchatantra, Mitrabheda

योगवासिष्ठ - वैराग्य - आत्मविदः

भारोऽविवेकिनः शास्त्रं भारो ज्ञानं च रागिणः ।
अशान्तस्य मनो भारः भारोऽनात्मविदो वपुः ॥

- योगवासिष्ठ, वैराग्य

An idiot would find the scriptures heavy. A person who enjoys worldly pleasures finds knowledge heavy and unbearable. A restless man finds his mind heavy. If one does not know his self, he will find his body heavy.

- Yogavasishta, Vairagya

भागवतमाहात्म - विवेक

भाग्योदयेन बहुजन्मसमार्जितेन
    सत्संगमं च लभते पुरुषो यदा वै ।
अज्ञानहेतुकृतमोहमदांधकार
    नाशं विधाय हि तदोदयते विवेकः ॥

- भागवतमाहात्म

When one accumulates a lot of good karma over lot of births, he come to a fortune of knowing virtuous people. With such association, he can learn to defeat the darkness called - attachment and pride. Once the darkness is lifted, the path to wisdom is illuminated.

- Bhagavatamahatma

सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार - न संतापमाप्नुयात्

भये वा यदि वा हर्षे संप्राप्ते यो विमर्शयेत् ।
कृत्यं न कुरुते वेगान्न स संतापमाप्नुयात् ॥

- सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार

He will always prosper who pauses to analyze when ever he feels fear as well as happiness. Such people will never hurry any of their work.

- Subhashitaratnabhandagara

मनुस्मृति - नित्यं शास्त्राण्यवेक्षेत

बुद्धिवृद्धिकरण्याशु धनानि च हितानि च ।
नित्यं शास्त्राण्यवेक्षेत निगमांश्चैव वैदिकान् ॥

- मनुस्मृति

One must read the scriptures that increase one's intelligence, wealth, well-being. Such practice is accordance with the Vedas as well as the followed rituals.

- Manu Smriti

पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रभेद - तेजसा सह जातानां

बालस्यापि रवेः पादाः पतत्युपरि भूभृतां ।
तेजसा सह जातानां वयः कुत्रोपयुज्यते ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रभेद

Even a very young Sun (early morning Sun) trots over mighty mountains. Those who are born virtous need not wait till old age to command respect.

- Panchatantra, Mitrabheda

हितोपदेश - सुहृद्भेद - ग्रहीतव्यं युक्तमुक्तं

बालादपि ग्रहीतव्यं युक्तमुक्तं मनीषिभिः ।
रवेरविषये किं न प्रदीपस्य प्रकाशनम् ॥

- हितोपदेश, सुहृद्भेद

Wise men listen to even small kids if they are talking appropriately. Even a small lamp can illuminate darkness not touched by Sun.

- Hitopadesha, Suhrudbheda

पञ्चतंत्र - काकोलूकीय - बहवो न विरोद्धव्या

बहवो न विरोद्धव्या दर्जया हि महाजनाः ।
स्फुरन्तमपि नागेन्द्रं भक्षयन्ति पिपीलिकाः ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, काकोलूकीय

A strong person also must not fight with the weak when they are too many in number. A colony of small ants will devour a snake even if it is ferocious.

- Panchatantra, Kakolukiya

पञ्चतंत्र - काकोलूकीय - हीनबल

बलीयसा हीनबलो विरोधं
    न भूतिकामो मनसापि वान्छेत् ।
न वध्यतेत्यन्तबलो हि यस्मा-
    द्व्यक्तं प्रणशोस्ति पतंगवृत्तेः ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, काकोलूकीय

When you are weak, you should not even think of attacking a strong opponent. The strong and mighty will never fail. Destruction is assured to a person who is on the same path as the moth being attracted to flames.

- Panchatantra, Kakolukiya

हितोपदेश - सुहृद्भेद - आपत्काल

बंधुस्त्रीभृत्यवर्गस्य बुद्धेः सत्वस्य चात्मनः ।
आपन्निकषपाषाणे नरो जानाति सारताम् ॥

- हितोपदेश, सुहृद्भेद

It is only during the times of trouble that peoples support to you is tested - like gold on touch stone. This applies to relative, wife, servants and one's own wisdom and courage.

- Hitopadesha, Suhrudbheda

हितोपदेश - विग्रह - शूर

प्रियं ब्रूयादकृपणः शूरः स्यादविकत्थनः ।
दाता नापात्रवर्षी स्यात्प्रगल्भः स्यादनिष्ठुरः ॥

- हितोपदेश, विग्रह

A rich person must also be nice. A brave courageous person must never boast. A benevolent person must not help those who do not deserve. A scholar must carefully avoid contraversies so that people do not reject his idea becuase of him.

- Hitopadesha, Vigraha

यशस्तिलक - श्रेयमार्ग

प्राणाघातान्निवृत्तिः परधनहरणे संयमः सत्यवाक्यम्
काले शक्त्या प्रदेयं युवतिजनकथामूकभावः परेषाम् ।
तृष्णास्रोतोविबंधो गुरुषु च विनतिः सर्वभूतानुकंपा
सामान्यं सर्वशास्त्रेष्वनुपहतविधिः श्रेयसामेषमार्गः ॥

- यशस्तिलक

The following are generally accepted in all scriptures as the way to lead a successful life: stay away from hurting animals, do not steal from others, be honest, keep donating now-and-then, keep mum when people talk about a young girl (do not defame her by heresay), keep a check on your desires, be humble with your teachers, compassion towards all beings.

- Yashastilaka

रसगंगाधर - सज्जन

पाण्डित्येन प्रचण्डेन येन माद्यन्ति दुर्जनाः ।
तेनैव सज्जना रूढां यान्ति शान्तिमनुत्तमाम् ॥

- रसगंगाधर

When a rogue acquires some knowledge he starts flaunting it. The same knowledge is used by wise men to seek the ultimate inner peace.

- Rasagangadhara

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - प्राज्ञ

प्राज्ञोऽपि जल्पतां पुंसां श्रुत्वा वाचः शुभाशुभाः ।
गुणवद्ववाक्यमादत्ते हंसः क्षीरमिवांभसः ॥

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

Just like a swan has the ability to separate milk from water, a wise man must pay attention to only those words that matter (truth). There will be gregarious people who will speak a lot about others - some true, but mostly baseless.

- Subhashitasudhannidhi

हितोपदेश - सुहृद्भेद - कोप

प्रस्तावसदृशं वाक्यं सद्भावसदृशं प्रियम् ।
आत्मशक्तिसमं कोपं यो जानाति स पण्डितः ॥

- हितोपदेश, सुहृद्भेद

Being able to talk according to context, liking some thing because of its good nature, to keep anger in one's limits; he is a wise man who can do the above.

- Hitopadesha, Suhrudbheda

महाभारत - स्त्री पर्व - प्रज्ञा

प्रज्ञया मानसं दुःखं हन्याच्छारीरमौषधैः ।
एतद्विज्ञानसामर्थ्यं न बालैः समतामियात् ॥

- महाभारत, स्त्री पर्व

Just like taking medicine eases pain in the body, knowledge eases the pain in the mind. Such is the power of knowledge. Without that, we are all like kids who can not tell what is troubling them.

- Mahabharata, Stree Parva

वाक्यपदीय - अगम दर्शन

प्रज्ञाविवेकं लभते विभिन्नागमदर्शनैः ।
कियद्वा शक्यमुन्नेतुं स्वयत्नमनुधावता ॥

- वाक्यपदीय

Presence of mind and wisdom can be attained by studying various scriptures on rituals and contemplation. How much can one learn solely on his experiences?

- Vakyapadiya

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - प्रज्ञा

प्रज्ञागुप्तशरीरस्य किं करिष्यन्ति संगताः ।
गृहीतच्छत्रहस्तस्य वारिधारा इवारयः ॥

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

Presence of mind is a great asset. With that one can defend himself from all his enemies, just as a person would use an umbrella to shield from pouring rain.

- Subhashitasudhanidhi

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - आत्मानां रक्षेत् प्रमादतः

नित्यं कोपात्तपो रक्षेच्छ्रियं रक्षेच्च मत्सरात् ।
विद्यां मानावमानाभ्यामात्मानां च प्रमादतः ॥

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

One must protect his penance from being disturbed by anger. Protect wealth from jealousy (about wealthier people). Protect education from ego. Protect self from being irresponsible.

- Subhashitasudhanidhi

महाभारत - शान्ति - त्याग

नास्ति विद्यासमं चक्षुर्नास्ति सत्यसमं तपः ।
नास्ति रागसमं दुःखं नास्ति त्यागसमं सुखम् ॥

- महाभारत, शान्ति

There is no better eye than education. No better penance than be honest. No worse grief than greed. No greater happiness than in sacrifice (giving).

- Mahabharata, Shanti

महाभारत - उद्योग - पण्डिताः

नाप्राप्यमभिवांछन्ति नष्टं नेच्छन्ति शोचितुम् ।
आपत्सु च न मुह्यन्ति नराः पण्डितबुद्धयः ॥

- महाभारत, उद्योग

Wise men will not long for the things that can not be attained. They do not grieve for what is lost. They are not distracted when they are in trouble.

- Mahabharata, Udyoga

पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रभेद - बुद्धि

न स्वल्पस्य कृते भूरि नाशयेन्मतिमान् नरः ।
एतदेवात्रपाण्दित्यं यत्स्वल्पाद्भूरिरक्षणम् ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रभेद

A wise man will never lose a fortune while running behind petty goals. He is never "Penny wise, Pound foolish". Not losing sight of long term goals is a hall mark of wise men.

- Panchatantra, Mitrabheda

पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रभेद - नानुशोचन्ति पण्डिताः

नष्टं मृतमतिक्रांतं नानुशोचन्ति पण्डिताः ।
पण्डितानां च मूर्खाणां विशेषोऽयं यतः स्मृतः ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रभेद

Wise men do not spend time grieving over a loss or death. This is the distinction between wise men and fools.

- Panchatantra, Mitrabheda

</A

पञ्चतंत्र - अपरीक्षतकारक - बुद्धि

न यत्रास्ति गतिर्वायो रश्मीनां च विवस्वतः।
तत्रापि प्रविशत्याशु बुद्धिर्बुद्धिमतां सदा ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, अपरीक्षतकारक

A wise man's wisdom can penetrate to such depths where even wind can not flow or can light reach.

- Panchatantra, Aparikshitakaraka

देवा बुद्ध्या संयोजयन्ति

न देवा दण्डमादाय रक्षन्ति पशुपालवत् ।
यं हि रक्षितुमिच्छन्ति बुद्ध्या संयोजयन्ति ॥

The Gods do not hold sticks in their hands like shepherds and protect us. They just give enough wisdom in each of our minds to protect ourselves.

मनुस्मृति - वृद्ध युवा

न तेन वृद्धो भवति येनास्य पलितं शिरः ।
यो वै युवाप्यधीयानस्तं देवाः स्थविरं विदुः ॥

- मनुस्मृति

He is not considered old (and wise) just because he has gray hair. One must be well educated to be considered so. The Gods consider even a young man as matured if he is well read and educated.

- Manu Smriti

पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रभेद - बुद्धि

न तच्छस्त्रैः न नागेंद्रैर्न हयैः न पदातिभिः ।
कार्यं संसिद्धिमभ्येति यथा बुद्ध्या प्रसाधितम् ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रभेद

One can be achieve a lot by using wisdom. The same is not true about weapons, elephants, horses and cavalry (army in total).

- Panchatantra, Mitrabheda

मनुस्मृति - विद्या

धर्माथौ यत्र न स्यातां शुश्रूषावाऽपि तद्विधा ।
तत्र विद्या न वक्तव्या शुभं बीजमिवोषरे ॥

- मनुस्मृति

One must not teach a person anything if he does not have any one of the following qualities: follows dharma, is wealthy, has a mindset for service. Without any of these qualities, teaching him is equivalent to sowing seeds in a barren land.

- Manu Smriti

हितोपदेश - मित्रलाभ - प्राण

धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां प्राणाः संस्थितिहेतवः ।
तन्निघ्नता किं न हतं रक्षता किं न रक्षितम् ॥

- हितोपदेश,मित्रलाभ

The four goals of life being Dharma, Wealth, Attachment (Kama) and liberation (via knowledge) are possible only because of the body we are in. Hence it is very important that we protect this body. If you let it waste away, then you have let everything down. If you protect the body, you would have protected the path to get everything else.

- Hitopadesha, Mitralabha

विवेकचूडामणी - महापुरुषसंश्रयः

दुर्लभं त्रयमेवैतद्दैवानुग्रहहेतुकं ।
मनुष्यत्वं मुमुक्षुत्वं महापुरुषसंश्रयः ॥

- विवेकचूडामणी

A human birth, liberation from the cycle of re-birth and kinship of virtuous men - these three things are very hard to obtain. Only God can help you get them.

- Vivekachudamani

नैषधव्याख्या - कीर्ति

दाने तपसि शौर्ये वा यस्य न प्रथितं यशः ।
विद्यायामर्थलाभे वा मातुरुच्चार एव सः ॥

- नैषधव्याख्या

One must attain fame in any one of the following - charity, penance, bravery, education, wealth. If not, he is nothing but a discharge from his mother's uterus.

- Naishadhavyakhya

नैषधव्याख्या - कीर्ति

दाने तपसि शौर्ये वा यस्य न प्रथितं यशः ।
विद्यायामर्थलाभे वा मातुरुच्चार एव सः ॥

- नैषधव्याख्या

One must attain fame in any one of the following - charity, penance, bravery, education, wealth. If not, he is nothing but a discharge from his mother's uterus.

- Naishadhavyakhya

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - आत्मविद्या

तमःपरिवृतं वेश्म यथा दीपेन दीप्यते ।
तथा बुद्धिप्रदीपेन शक्य आत्मा निरीक्षितुम् ॥

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

Darkness in our homes is killed by lamps lighting other lamps. Just like that, knowledge will let us search our souls in the darkness of ignorance.

- Subhashitasudhanidhi

वाक्यपदीय - विद्या

तत्तदुत्प्रेक्षमाणानां पुराणैरागमैर्विना ।
अनुपासितवृद्धानां विद्या नातिप्रसीदति ॥

- वाक्यपदीय

Knowledge can not be attained by a person who does not put in the hard work to understand the vedas, the puranas, the reasons behind our rituals, serve our elders. Such a person will only spend time in exaggerating facts and pretending to be well-educated.

- Vakyapadiya

विष्णुपुराण - सा विद्या या विमुक्तये

तत्कर्म यन्न बंधाय सा विद्या या विमुक्तये ।
आयासायापरं कर्म विद्यान्न शिल्पनैपुणम् ॥

- विष्णुपुराण

That which does not create attachments is a good action. All other actions only drain your energy. Only the education that liberates is the right kind. All other education is like sculpturing.

- Vishnupurana

विष्णुपुराण - ज्ञान

ज्ञानमेव परंब्रह्म ज्ञानं बंधाय कल्पते ।
ज्ञानात्मकमिदं विश्वं न ज्ञानाद्विद्यते परम् ॥

- विष्णुपुराण

Knowledge is the ultimate truth. Knowledge enables us to relate to all other things. The whole world is realized only through knowledge. There is no parallel to knowledge.

- Vishnupurana

अन्योक्तिस्तबक - विज्ञा

जडसंगेऽपिन लिप्ताः श्रीसद्भावेऽपि नोत्तरलाः ।
अंभोजकोरका इव विज्ञा विकसन्ति विश्वस्मै ॥

- अन्योक्तिस्तबक

Even when wise men stay with idiots, they will stay sane. Even when they have wealth, they will not lose their mind. Just like a lotus bud will maintain its cleanliness even amidst mire. It will stay steady even when it has so much beauty. It will bloom beautifully when sun shines on it.

- Anyoktistabaka

विवेकचूडामणि - कर्म

चित्तस्य शुद्धये कर्म न तु वस्तूपलब्धये ।
वस्तुसिद्धिविचारेण न किंचित् कर्मकोटिभिः ॥

- विवेकचूडामणि

One must do actions with self satisfaction in mind - not with a spiritual goal. Spiritual goals are attained by contemplation and not by successful completion of crores of tasks.

- Viveka Chudamani

हितोपदेश - मित्रलाभ - सज्जनभाष

घर्मार्तं न तथा सुशीतलजलैः स्नानं मुक्तावली
    न श्रीखण्डविलेपनं सुखयति प्रत्यंगमप्यर्पितम् ।
प्रीत्यै सज्जनभाषितं प्रभवति प्रायो यथा देहिनां
    सद्युक्त्या च पुरस्कृष्टिमंत्रोपमम् ॥

- हितोपदेश, मित्रलाभ

A tired traveler will appreciate warm talk by a virtuous man which is as attractive and knowledgeable as the hymns. Other pleasantries like fresh cold water, a pearl neck-lace, or sandalwood paste applied to the whole body will not bring as much joy as the good words of a noble man.

- Hitopadesha, Mitralabha

सुभाषितरत्नसमुच्चय - प्राज्ञः

गुणानामन्तरं प्रायस्तज्ञो वेत्ति न चापरः ।
मालतीमल्लिकामोदं घ्राणं वेत्ति न लोचनम् ॥

- सुभाषितरत्नसमुच्चय

Only a wise man can appreciate good qualities - not every one. Only the nose can know the difference between jasmine and imitations (jaji flower) and not the eyes.

- Subhashita Ratnasamucchaya

हितोपदेश - सुहृद्भेद - प्रियवादिनः

कोऽतिभारः समर्थानां किं दूरं व्यवसायिनम् ।
को विदेशः सविद्यानां कः परः प्रियवादिनाम् ॥

- हितोपदेश - सुहृद्भेद

There is no weight that a able guy can not handle. There is no distance too long for a businessman. For a well educated man, no country will seem foreign. A person who talks sweetly will feel every one as close friend.

- Hitopadesha, Suhrudbheda

हरिहर सुभाषित - विद्या

कुरु गुरुवचो निपीतं
    भूयो भूयो विचिन्तयाधीतं ।
विद्या गुरूपदिष्टा चिर
    परिवृष्टा विभूषणं वपुषः ॥

- हरिहर सुभाषित

Whatever teacher teaches a student must imbibe. What is understood must be contemplated again and again. A well thought out education is a decoration to the body.

- Harihara Subhashita

हरिहर सुभाषित - श्रेयः

कष्टं कर्मेति दुर्मेधाः कर्तव्याद्विनिवर्तते ।
न साहसमनारभ्य श्रेयः समुपलभ्यते ॥

- हरिहर सुभाषित

Idiots give up on a task assuming it would be tough to complete it. They do not understand that fame/success can come only when you start tasks (and complete it).

- Harihara Subhashita

रामायण - अयोध्य - पण्डीतः

कच्चित् सहस्रान्मूर्खाणामेकमिच्छसि पण्डीतम् ।
पण्डीतो ह्यर्थकृच्छेषु कुर्यान्निःश्रेयसं महत् ॥

- रामायण, अयोध्य

It is better to hire one wise man than thousands of fools. It is the wise man who will help you when you are in trouble.

- Ramayana, Ayodhya

पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रभेद - बुद्धिमतः

एकं हन्यान्न वा हन्यात् इषुर्मुक्तो धनुष्मता ।
बुद्धिर्बुद्धिमतः सृष्टा हन्ति राष्ट्रं सनायकम् ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रभेद

An arrow may or may not kill the target. But an intelligent plot can destroy an entire nation along with its leaders.

- Panchatantra, Mitrabheda

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - एकः

एकः स्वादु न भुंजीत नैकः कार्यं विचिन्तयेत् ।
एको न गच्छेदध्वानं नैकः सुप्तेषु जागृयात् ॥

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

One must not eat a savory alone. One must not deliberate on important matters alone. One must not go alone on a (dangerous)path. One must not be awake when every one else is sleeping.

- Subhashitasudhanidhi

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - मंत्रविस्रवः

एकं विषरसो हन्ति शस्त्रेणैकश्च बाध्यते ।
सराष्ट्रं सप्रजं हन्ति राजानं मन्त्रविस्रवः ॥

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

Poison could kill one person. You could kill only one person using a weapon. But using a weapon of thought, one can destroy not just the king, but an entire kingdom including the state and its subjects.

- Subhashitasudhanidhi

अत्रिसंहिता - गुरु ऋण

एकमप्यक्षरं यस्तु गुरुः शिष्ये निवेदयेत् ।
पृथिव्यां नास्ति तद्द्रव्यं यद्दत्वा ह्यनृणीभवेत् ॥

- अत्रिसंहिता

Even if the teacher has taught you just one letter he has helped you a lot. This help can not be repaid by giving any gift in this world.

- Atri Samhita

हरिहर सुभाषित - विद्या

उपदिशति लोकवृत्तं वितरति वित्तं विनोदयति चित्तं ।
उत्तंभयति महत्वं विद्या हृद्या सुराजसेवेव ॥

- हरिहर सुभाषित

Education gives you experience to face the world. It gives you money. It will give you happiness. It will bring you honor. Good education will bring you all the wealth just like serving a good king.

- Harihara Subhashita

हितोपदेश - सुहृद्भेद - अनुक्तमप्यूहति पण्डीतो

उदीरितोऽर्थः पशूनापि गृह्यते
    हयश्च नागाश्च वहन्ति देशिताः ।
अनुक्तमप्यूहति पण्डीतो जनः
    परेंगितज्ञानफला हि बुद्धयः ॥

- हितोपदेश, सुहृद्भेद

Any animal can understand instructions if they are explained elaborately. Elephants and horses can follow instructions very well. But only a wise man can understand what is not said. Perhaps, understanding other's mind is what is called as 'wisdom'

- Hitopadesha, Suhrudbheda

सभारंजन शतक - विवेक

उद्यन्तु शतमादित्या उद्यन्तु शतमिन्दवः ।
न विना विदुषां वाक्यैर्नश्यत्याभ्यंतरं तमः ॥

- सभारंजन शतक

Let hundreds of Suns rise or hundreds of moon. They still not be able to illuminate the inner darkness. Such darkness is eliminated only by preachings of a wise man.

- Sabharanjana Shataka

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - मूर्खा बहु मन्यन्ते

उच्चैरुच्चरितव्यं यत्किंचिदजानतापि पुरुषेण ।
मूर्खा बहु मन्यन्ते विदुषामपि संशयो भवति ॥

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

One must talk loudly even when talking about whatever little you know. Fools will think you are right and the wise may also be put in doubt.

- Subhashitasudhanidhi

पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रभेद - प्रतिज्ञाभंग

उक्तो भवति यः पूर्वं गुणवानिति संसदि ।
तस्य दोषो न वक्तव्यः प्रतिज्ञाभंगभीरुणा ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रभेद

Once a person is declared as virtuous in an assembly, we must not openly talk about his faults lest we would be breaking the vow taken in front of the assembly. Such matters must be dealt in person and private.

- Panchatantra, Mitrabheda

विवेकचूडामणि - मोक्ष

इतः कोन्वस्ति मूढात्मा यस्तु स्वार्थे प्रमाद्यति ।
दुर्लभं मानुषं देहं प्राप्य तत्रापि पौरुषम् ॥

- विवेकचूडामणि

He is indeed a fool who does not contemplate on salvation in spite of obtaining a human birth (especially being a man).

- Viveka Chudamani

महाभारत - उद्योग - विद्या

आचार्यात् पादमादत्ते पादं शिष्यः स्वमेधया ।
कालेन पादमादत्ते पादं सब्रह्मचारिभिः ॥

- महाभारत, उद्योग

A student gets one quarter of his education from his teacher. Another quarter by contemplation. Another quarter is learned over time by experience. The last quarter is learned from the fellow students.

-Mahabharata, Udyoga

मनुस्मृति - अध्यापकः

आचार्यपुत्रः शुश्रूषुः ज्ञानदो धार्मिकः शुचिः ।
आप्तः शक्तोऽर्थदः साधुः स्वोऽध्याप्या दश धर्मितः ॥

- मनुस्मृति

A teacher must always teach the following students: his teacher's son, his servants, other teachers who will teach him other skills, people who know and live by Dharma, who live clean, relatives, anyone who can analyze by thinking, who can give money in return to knowledge, a well-wisher and other knowledgeable people.

- Manu Smriti

भागवत - संसार

असंसक्तः शरीरेऽस्मिन्नमुनोत्पादितो गृहे ।
अपत्ये द्रविणे वापि कः कुर्यान्ममतां बुधः ॥

- भागवत

Wise men do not have any attachment towards their own body. How can we expect them to have any attachment towards household, children, wealth which come into existence only through the body.

- Bhagavata

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - प्रियं वचः

अलं दानेन विप्रेन्द यजनाध्ययनेन वा ।
इदं तत्स्वर्गसोपानममलं यत्प्रियं वचः ॥

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

Oh great brahmin! stop all this charity, rituals, studying and all other attempts to go to heaven. Developing a habit of talking sweetly towards all under all circumstances is the key to going to heaven.

- Subhashitasudhanidhi

हितोपदेश - सुहृद्भेद - पथ्य वचः

अप्रियस्यापि पथ्यस्य परिणामः सुखावहः ।
वक्ता श्रोता च यत्रास्ति रमन्ते तत्र संपदः ॥

- हितोपदेश, सुहृद्भेद

A matured (well thought out) speech will bring out good results even when it is harsh (or unpleasant). Any place where there are people with clear mind to talk and open mind to listen will always prosper.

- Hitopadesha, Suhrudbheda

सभारंजनशतक - अविद्या

अपि मानुष्यकं लब्ध्वा भवन्ति ज्ञानिनो नये ।
पशुतैव वरा तेषां प्रत्यवायाप्रवर्तनात् ॥

- सभारंजनशतक

Those who are fortunate enough to get a human birth and stupid enough not to get some knowledge (about self, God, etc...) are better of as animals. At least, animals are free from the sins that arise out of their actions.

- Sabharanjanashataka

पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रबेध - अप्राप्तवचनं

अप्राप्तकालं वचनं बृहस्पतिरपि ब्रुवन् ।
लभते बह्ववज्ञानमपमानं च पुष्कलम् ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रबेध

When one utter wrong words at an inappropriate time, he is bound to attract wrath and humiliation - even when he is Bruhaspati (teacher of the Gods) himself.

- Panchatantra, Mitrabedha

हितोपदेश - शास्त्र

अनेकसंशयोच्छेदि परोक्षार्थस्य दर्शकम् ।
सर्वस्य लोचनं शास्त्रं यस्य नास्त्यंध एव सः ॥

- हितोपदेश

Scriptures will solve many doubts. It will show truths that do not usually meet the eye. Scriptures are the eyes for all people. Any person who can not read the scriptures, is blind indeed.

- Hitopadesha

यज्ञफल - अनुभव

अनुभवेन विनाधिगतं श्रुतं
    भवति नैव नॄणामुपकारकं ।
दधिनि वतर्त एव हविः पुनः
    न मथनेन विना विना तदवाप्यते ॥

- यज्ञफल

All the knowledge that one may learn from others, or read in scriptures is of no use unless one ratifies them by experience. Curd does have ingredients of ghee - but it still requires a lot of processing.

- Yajnaphala

पञ्चतंत्र - काकोलूकीय - बुद्धिलक्षणं

अनारंभो हि कार्याणां प्रथमं बुद्धिलक्षणम् ।
प्रारब्धस्यांतगमनं द्वितीयं बुद्धिलक्षणम् ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, काकोलूकीय

It is wise to deliberate a lot before taking up a task. Not doing it (for right reasons) is the first sign of wisdom. But finishing what has been started is the second sign of wisdom.

- Panchatantra, Kakolukiya

पञ्चतंत्र - कथामुख - क्षीरमिवांबुमध्यात्

अनंतपारं किल शब्दशास्त्रं
    स्वल्पं तथायुर्बहवश्च विघ्नाः ।
सारं ततो ग्राह्यमपास्य फल्गु
    हंसैर्यथा क्षीरमिवांबुमध्यात् ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, कथामुख

The vastness of knowledge (written in scriptures) is huge. This life is short and filled with obstacles. Hence it is not possible to read them all. One must attempt to understand the scriptures with most value first and abandon the rest much like how a swan filters milk from water.

- Panchatantra, Kathamukha

आत्म ज्ञान

अधीत्य चतुरो वेदान् व्याकृत्याष्टादश स्मृतीः ।
अहो श्रमस्य वैफल्यं आत्मापि कलितो न चीत् ॥

All effort of understanding the four vedas and studying eighteen puranas are all in vain if one does not understand the self (Atma).

पञ्चतंत्र - काकोलूकीय - वचः

अदेशकालज्ञमनायतिक्षमं
    यदप्रियं लाघवकारि चात्मनः ।
योऽत्राब्रवीत्कारणवर्जितं वचो
    न तद्वचः स्याद्विषमेव तद्वचः ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, काकोलूकीय

If one speaks without knowledge of space (where he is), or time, or without fore thought, or discomforting others, or diminishing one's own weight, or without any reason - such speech will be as dangerous as poison.

- Panchatantra, Kakolukiya

विवेकचूडामणि - विचारेण

अर्थस्य निश्चयो दृष्टो विचारेण हितोक्तितः ।
न स्नानेन न दानेन प्राणायामशतेन वा ॥

- विवेकचूडामणि

It only when one deliberates on wise sayings that his belief consolidates into a conviction. Not by reciting the same thing over and over again after taking bath, or by resorting to charity or doing rhythmic breathing hundred times. Practice is much better than recital.

- Viveka Chudamani

पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रभेद - मंत्रि

अंतस्सारैरकुटिलैरच्छिदैः सुपरीक्षितैः ।
मंत्रिभिर्धार्यते राज्यं सुस्तंभैरिव मंदिरम् ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रभेद

When constructing a building one must choose wood that is intrinsically strong, straight, without any cracks and well inspected so that they can be used as pillars that bear all the load. Similar qualities are to be expected out of minister to shoulder the weight of governance.

- Panchatantra, Mitrabhedha

अप्पय्य दीक्षित - विद्या

अक्षराणि परीक्ष्यंतामंबराडंबरेण किं ।
शंभुरंबरहीनोपि सर्वज्ञः किं न कथ्यते ॥

- अप्पय्य दीक्षित

Let us examine the education (wisdom) of a person. What good are the clothes and ornaments? Isn't Lord Shiva known to be Sarvajna (Omniscient or know-all) in spite of not wearing any clothes?

- Appayya Dikshita

भागवत - अनृतं जुगुप्स्तितम्

स्त्रीषु नर्मविवाहे च वृत्त्यर्थे प्राणसंकटे ।
गोब्राह्मणार्थे हिंसयां नानृतं स्याज्जुगुप्सितम् ॥

- भागवत

It is not a sin to lie under these circumstances - when talking to a woman, during a wedding, in your occupation, facing danger to your life, to protect a brahmin who accepts donation of a cow, to escape from violence.

- Bhagavata

अभिज्ञान शाकुन्तल - राज धर्म

स्वसुखनिरभिलाषः खिद्यसे कस्य हेतोः
   प्रतिदिनमथवा ते वृत्तिरेवं विधैव ।
अनुभवति हि मूर्ध्ना पादपस्तीव्रमुष्णं
   शमयति परितापं छायया संश्रितानाम् ॥

- अभिज्ञान शाकुन्तल

- Abhijnana Shakuntala

Why are you doing these things even if it hurts your own interest? Perhaps, this is what it is to be a king. Just like a tree bears all the heat during an afternoon to provide shade to those stand under it.

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - शील गुण

सर्वे कंकणकेयूरकुण्डलप्रतिमा गुणाः ।
शीलं चाकृत्रिमं लोके लावण्यमिव भूषणम् ॥

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

All other qualities of a noble man are like ornaments (can be acquired)- bangles, armlets or ear-rings. Only character is innate like charm.

- Subhashitasudhanidhi

नागानन्द - पापानि

सर्वाशुचि निधानस्य कृतघ्नस्य विनाशिनः ।
शरीरकस्यापि कृते मूढाः पापानि कुर्वते ॥

- नागानन्द

People do all sorts of dirty business, be disrespectful of those who help him, chase impermanent wealth - all these sins are committed by fools only for the sake of body.

- Nagananda

सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार - स्वर्गगामिनः

सर्वहिंसानिवृत्ता ये नराः सर्वं सहाश्च ये ।
सर्वस्याश्रयभूताश्च ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः ॥

- सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार

Only those people go to heaven who give up all kinds of violence, tolerant towards every one and always give refuge to any one who seeks help.

- Subhashitaratnabhandagara

सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार - परोपकारिणः

सर्वंसहा ये ऋजवः प्रतिज्ञातार्थपालकाः ।
परोपकारिणः सेव्याः निर्धना अपि ते जनाः ॥

- सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार

Even a poor man is venerable if he is very tolerant, innocent, honest and helpful to others.

- Subhashiaratnabhandagara

मनुस्मृति - शतायुषि

सर्वलक्षणहीनोऽपि यः सदाचारवान्नरः ।
श्रद्धधानोऽनसूयश्च शतं वर्षाणि जीवति ॥

- मनुस्मृति

Even when a person who does not have any other qualities, a man will live for hundred years if he is virtuous, has sincerity in all his dealings and never feels jealous.

- Manu Smriti

मनुस्मृति - पशुसंरक्षण

संरक्षणार्थं जन्तूनां रात्रावहनि वा सदा ।
शरीरस्यात्यये चैवे समीक्ष्य वसुधां चरेत् ॥

- मनुस्मृति

Even when it is tough, one must look out for safe grounds for his animals (cattle and pets) - not considering whether it is day or night.

- Manu Smriti

मनुस्मृति - अतिथि

संप्राप्ताय त्वतिथये प्रदद्यादासनोदके ।
अन्नं चैव यथाशक्ति सत्कृत्य विधिपूर्वकम् ॥

- मनुस्मृति

When a guest comes to your home, you must comfort him by asking him to take a seat and offer water to quench his thirst. This is a must. Later, you can also offer him food and other pleasantries befitting on your capacity.

- Manu Smriti

मनुस्मृति - निवर्तेत मांस भक्षणम्

समुत्पत्तिं च मांसस्य वधबंधौ च देहिनां ।
प्रसमीक्ष्य निवर्तेत सर्वमांसस्य भक्षणात् ॥

- मनुस्मृति

One must spare a thought to the source of all the meat. Where does it come from? How are animals killed or held captive for the same? After having thought about all these, one must (will) give up all meat eating. This verse stresses the point that one must not distance himself from the horrors of sourcing of the meat while eating it.

- Manu Smriti

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - परहितानि कुरुध्वम्

संपदो जलतरंगविलोल
   यौवनं त्रिचतुराणि दिनानि ।
शारदाभ्रपरिपेलवमायुः
   किं धनैः परहितानि कुरुध्वम् ॥

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

Wealth is as temporary as a wave on still water. Youth is just a matter of few years. Our life it self is as uncertain as a cloud of Sharat month (where clouds could get formed and dispersed in a matter of minutes. No rain.) What is the use of all the wealth that you accumulate? Spend them in a way that is helpful to others.

- Subhashitasudhanidhi

मनुस्मृति - गृहिणि

सदा प्रहृष्टया भाव्यं गृहकार्येषु दक्षया ।
सुसंस्कृतोपस्करया व्यये चामुक्तहस्तया ॥

- मनुस्मृति

A good wife must always be happy. She must run the household efficiently. All the things (appliances, utensils, etc) in the house must be kept clean. She must exercise a tight grip on spending.

- Manu Smriti

भागवत - निर्गुण

सत्त्वे पुलीनाः स्वर्यान्ति नरलोकं तु राजसाः ।
तमोलयास्तु निरयं यान्ति मामेव निर्गुणाः ॥

- भागवत

The people who have sattva guna (good qualities) will attain heaven. The people who have rajas guna (enjoying pleasures) will get the earth. The people who have tamas guna (demonic qualities). He who does not have any quality (does not care for qualities), will attain me (supreme being).

- Bhagavata

अभिज्ञान शाकुन्तल - सती

सतीमपि ज्ञातिकुलैकसंश्रयां
   जनोऽन्यथा भर्तृमतीं विशंकते ।
अतः समीपे परिणेतुरिष्यते
   प्रियाप्रिया वा प्रमदा स्वबंदुभिः ॥

- अभिज्ञान शाकुन्तल

Even a devoted wife is looked up by suspicion by other people (relatives) if she is not living with her husband (and living with her parents). So, a wife must live with her husband irrespective of whether he likes her or not.

- Abhijnana Shakuntala

याज्ञवल्क्य - धर्म - सत्य शौच

सत्यमस्तेयमक्रोधो ह्रीः शौचं धीर्धृतिर्दमः ।
संयतेंद्रियता विद्या धर्मः सर्व उदाहृतः ॥

- याज्ञवल्क्य

The following aspects living constitute Dharma - Truth, never stealing, no anger, remorse, cleanliness, intelligence to separate good and bad, calm mind, austerity, control over senses and good education

- Yajnavalkya

मनुस्मृति - सत्य धर्म

सत्यं ब्रूयात् प्रियं ब्रूयात्
   न ब्रूयात् सत्यमप्रियम् ।
प्रियं च नानृतं ब्रूयात्
   एष धर्मः सनातनः ॥

- मनुस्मृति

One must speak truth. One must speak pleasant. One must not speak the truth that is harsh. One must not speak a lie just because it is pleasant. This is the essence of Dharma.

- Manu Smriti

महाभारत - शान्ति - सत्य

सत्यस्य वचनं श्रेयः सत्यादपि हितं वदेत् ।
यद्भूतहितमत्यन्तं एतत्सत्यं मतं मम ॥

- महाभारत, शान्ति

It is good to tell the truth. But it is better to tell what is good for others. I (Sanathkumar) believe that what is good for all people in the absolute sense has to be the truth as well.

- Mahabharata, Shanti

पञ्चतंत्र - काकोलूकीय - धर्म

संक्षेपात्कथ्यते धर्मो जनाः किं विस्तरेण वः ।
परोपकारः पुण्याय पापाय परपीडनम् ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, काकोलूकीय

I will tell you what constitutes Dharma concisely. There is no use giving long discourses on this aspect. Helping others will lead to good karma. Troubling others will lead to bad karma.

- Panchatantra, Kakolukiya

पञ्चतंत्र - काकोलूकीय - धर्म

श्रूयतां धर्मसर्वं श्रुत्वा चैवावधार्यताम् ।
आत्मनः प्रतिकूलानि परेषां न समाचरेत् ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, काकोलूकीय

One must read about all the ways of Dharma. After learning about Dharma one must follow it. One must not treat others in any way he does not want to be treated.

- Panchatantra, Kakolukiya

अभिज्ञान शाकुन्तल - गृहिणि

शुश्रूषस्य गुरून् कुरु प्रियसखीवृत्तिं सपत्नीजने
भर्तुर्विप्रकृतापि रोषणतया मा स्म प्रतीपंगमः ।
भूयिष्ठं भव दक्षिणा परिजने भाग्येष्वनुत्सेकिनी
यांत्येवं गृहिणीपदं युवतयो वामाः कुलस्याधयः ॥

- अभिज्ञान शाकुन्तल

Take good care of the elders. Be friendly with the other wives (of the king). Do not succumb to (an show) anger if husband does something wrong. Treat the servants with dignity. Do not become headstrong when you have lot of wealth. If a young girl behaves thus, she can be called a good wife. If not, she will become a head ache to the entire family.

- Abhijnana Shakuntala

कर्णभार - दान

शिक्षाक्षयं गच्छति कालपर्यायात्
    सुबद्धमूला निपतन्ति पादपाः ।
जलं जलस्थानगतं च शुष्यति
    हुतं च दत्तं च तथैव शिष्यति ॥

- कर्णभार

Overtime one forgets what he has learned. Great trees may also fall one day. A great lake may also get dried. But the good karma earned by doing charity or sacrifice will never get diminished.

- Karnabhara

उपदेशशतक - सत्पथं वृद्धाः

शरतल्पमधिशयनाद् भीष्मादाकर्ण्य धर्मजो धर्मान् ।
दुःखं जहौ दुरन्तं प्रष्टव्याः सत्पथं वृद्धाः ॥

- उपदेशशतक

Dharmaraja was himself very pious. But he also listened to Bheeshma sleeping on the death bed (of arrows). This helped him alleviate the pain caused by all the turmoil of the war before. Hence one must always listen to the old men who have led their life virtuously.

- Upadeshashataka

गरुड पुराण - श्रद्धा

श्रद्धया धार्यते धर्मो बहुभिर्नार्थराशिभिः ।
निष्किंचना हि मुनयः श्रद्धावन्तो दिवंगताः ॥

- गरुड पुराण

Dedication and perseverance is the key to following Dharma - the moral code of life. Dharma can not be followed by having heaps of money. Mendicants and saints have attained salvation by strictly following Dharma and not by earning lot of wealth.

- Garuda Purana

मनुस्मृति - दाता

शतेषु जायते शूरः सहस्रेषु च पण्डितः ।
वक्ता दशसहस्रेषु दाता भवति वा न वा ॥

- मनुस्मृति

One out of hundred men will be brave. One out of a thousand men would be a scholar. One out of ten thousand men will be a good orator. It is not yest sure if there is a person who can be called a real donor (selfless).

- Manu Smriti

मनुस्मृति - सात्त्विक

वेदाभ्यासस्तपो ज्ञानं शौचमिन्द्रियनिग्रहः |
धर्मक्रियात्मचिन्ता च सात्त्विकं गुणलक्षणं ॥

- मनुस्मृति - सात्त्विक

The following are the signs of a virtuous person - studying vedas, penance, acquiring knowledge, cleanliness, control over senses, following dharma (moral code of life) and introspection.

- Manu Smriti, Virtue

पञ्चतंत्र - काकोलुकीय - पशु हिंसा

वृक्षांश्छित्वा पशून्हत्वा कृत्वा रुधिरकर्दमं ।
यद्येवं गम्यते स्वर्गे नरकः केन गम्यते ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, काकोलुकीय

If people who cut trees, kill animals and spill blood go to heaven then who goes to hell?

- Panchatantra, Kakolukiya

भारतमंजरी - विनय त्याग

विनयो रत्नमुकुटं सच्छास्त्रं मणिकुण्डले ।
त्यागश्च कङ्कणं येषां कि तेषां जडमण्डनैः ॥

- भारतमंजरी

What good are earthly ornaments for a person who wears the crown of humility, his knowledge of scriptures as ear pieces and sacrifice as his bangles?

- Bharatamanjari

भारतमंजरी - शील

विदेशेषु धनं विद्या व्यसनेषु धनं मतिः ।
परलोके धनं धर्मः शीलं तु निखिलं धनम् ॥

- भारतमंजरी

Education is wealth when one is traveling. One's intelligence is wealth when in trouble. The good karma accumulated by following dharma is wealth in the after-life. Good conduct is wealth in any where, any time.

- Bharatamanjari

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - विद्या दान

विद्या प्रवसतो मित्रं भार्या मित्रं गृहे सतः ।
आतुरस्य भिषक् मित्रं दानं मित्रं मरिष्यतः ॥

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

Education is the only savior of tourist. Wife and friends are the only savior of person who stays at home. A doctor is the only savior of the sick. Charity is the only savior of a dying man.

- Subhashitasudhanidhi

मनुस्मृति - धर्म

विद्वद्भिः सेवितः सद्भिः नित्यमद्वेषरागिभिः ।
हृदयेनाभ्यनुज्ञातो यो धर्मस्तं निभोधत ॥

- मनुस्मृति

Please listen. I will tell you the essence of Dharma - moral code of life. This is what has been followed by the wise men after thinking long and hard without prejudice. This is what has kept their conscience clean.

- Manu Smriti

याज्ञवल्क्य - उद्योग धर्म

वयो बुद्ध्यर्थवाग्वेष श्रुताभिजनकर्मणां ।
आचरेत्सदृशीं वृत्तिं अजिह्मामशठां तथा ॥

- याज्ञवल्क्य

One must keep himself busy with occupation that suits his age, intelligence, wealth, language (speaking ability), dressing sense, education, lineage (family born into) and skill. At any cost one must not cheat. One must not walk down the path of dishonesty.

- Yajnavalkya

हितोपदेश - मित्रलाभ

वरं कार्यं मौनं न च वचनमुक्तं यदनृतं
    वरं क्लैब्यं पुंसां न च परकलत्राभिगमनम् ।
वरं प्राणत्यागो न च पिशुनवादेष्वभिरतिः
    वरं भिक्षाशित्वं न च परधनास्वादनबलम् ॥

- हितोपदेश, मित्रलाभ

Better be silent than telling lies. Better be impotent than be promiscuous. Better death than be a rumor-monger. Better live on alms than be feel powerful based on money belonging to someone else.

- Hitopadesha, Mitralabha

मनुस्मृति - अहिंसा

योऽहिंसकानि भूतानि हिनस्त्यात्मसुखेच्छया ।
स जीवंश्च मृतश्चैव न क्वचित्सुखमेधते ॥

- मनुस्मृति

He who kills innocent animals like a deer for fun (or his happiness), will not be happy when he is alive or dead.

- Manu Smriti

मनुस्मृति - दया

यो बन्धनवधक्लेशान् प्राणिनां न चकीर्षति ।
न सर्वस्य हितप्रेप्सुः सुखमत्यन्तमश्नुते ॥

- मनुस्मृति

He who does not trouble animals by tying (captivating), killing or any other way and wish good of all beings will live happily.

- Manu Smriti

किरातार्जुनीय - परपीडना

युक्तः प्रमाद्यसि हितादपेतः परितप्यसे ।
यदि नेष्टात्मनः पीडा मा संजी भवता जने ॥

- किरातार्जुनीय

When you get what you long for, you will become happy. You will feel sad when you don't get it. Since you do not like to be hurt, you must not hurt others too.

- Kiratarjuniya

अभिज्ञान शाकुन्तला - सूर्य चन्द्र

यात्येकतोऽस्तशिखरं पतिरोषधीनां
    आविष्कृतोऽरुणपुरःसर एकतोऽर्कः ।
तेजोद्वयस्य युगपद्व्यसनोदयाभ्यां
    लोको नियम्यत इवात्मदशान्तरेषु ॥

- अभिज्ञान शाकुन्तला

On one side the moon is sinking. On the other side Sun is rising with his tender early morning rays. Both sun and moon give light (that they are meant to) at their own times and set when their time is up. This must teach us people something about dealing with our own inner turmoils.

- Abhijnana Shakuntala

याज्ञवल्क्य - राजधर्म

यस्मिन् देशे य आचारो व्यवहारः कुलस्थितिः ।
तथैव परिपाल्योऽसौ यदा वशमुपागतः ॥

- याज्ञवल्क्य

When a king conquers another state, he must rule that state as per the laws and customs prevailing in that state. He must uphold the dignity of the families in that state. He must ensure that business runs as usual.

- Yajnavalkya

पञ्चतंत्र - काकोलुकीय - धर्मविहीन

यस्य धर्मविहीनानि दिनान्यायान्ति यान्ति च ।
स लोहकारभस्त्रेव श्वसन्नपि न जीवति ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, काकोलुकीय

A man who does not lead his life following Dharma is simply breathing - not living. He is similar to the bag used by blacksmiths to blow air into the fire.

- Panchatantra, Kakolukiya

भगवद्गीता - शास्त्र

यः शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य वर्तते कामकारतः ।
न स सिद्धिमवाप्नोति न सुखं न परां गतिम् ॥

- भगवद्गीता

If one leaves the path shown by the scriptures and follows his desires, then he will not attain self realization. He will not be happy. He will not attain salvation also.

- Bhagavadgita

रामायण - किष्किंधा - धर्म वात्सल्य

यवीयानात्मनः पुत्रः शिष्यश्चापि गुणोदितः ।
पुत्रवत्ते त्रयश्चिंत्या धर्मश्चेदत्र कारणम् ॥

- रामायण, किष्किंधा

If one wishes to follow Dharma, then he must treat his brother, his son and his disciple - all three of them equally as if they were his children.

- Ramayana, Kishkindha

सोमप्रभाचार्यस्य सूक्तिमुक्तावलि - मानव जन्म

यः प्राप्य दुष्प्रापमिदं नरत्वं
    धर्मं न यत्नेन करोति मूढः ।
क्लेशप्रबंधेन स लुब्धमब्धौ
    चिन्तामणिं पातयति प्रमादात् ॥

- सोमप्रभाचार्यस्य सूक्तिमुक्तावलि

He is a fool who does not follow dharma even after having got this human form in the life. In fact, getting a human form is itself a very difficult task. It is like throwing away a rare gem (chintamani, that can solve all your problems) back into the sea. It is sheer madness.

- Somaprabhacharya's Suktimuktavali

महाभारत - वन - धर्मसूक्ष्मता

यद्भूतहितमत्यन्तं तत्सत्यमिति धारणा ।
विपर्ययकृतोधर्मः पश्य धर्मस्य सूक्ष्मताम् ॥

- महाभारत, वन

That action (in its purest sense) which helps the animals has to treated as truth (in accordance with Dharma). Anything that hurts them is therefore against dharma. See how simple and subtle is the essence of Dharma. This was told by a hunter to a brahmin while explaining how he perceived Dharma to be.

- Mahabharta , Vana

पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रभेद - उदरार्थं सर्वं

यदसत्यं वदेन्मॄत्यः यद्वाऽसेव्यं च सेवते ।
यद्गच्छति विदेशं च तत्सर्वमुदरार्थतः ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रभेद - उदरार्थं सर्वं

A man may tell lies (cheat), eat the un-eatables (non-veg), leave his home country and go travel abroad. He will do all those only to satisfy the hunger in his stomach.

- Panchatantra, Mitrabheda

मनु स्मृति - यमव्रतम्

यथा यमः प्रियद्वेषौ प्राप्ते काले नियच्छति ।
तथा राज्ञा नियंतव्याः प्रजास्तद्धि यमव्रतम् ॥

- मनु स्मृति

A king must punish the guilty even if they are his own relatives. Much similar to the way how Yama (Death) takes away a person as soon as his time is over. This penance of impartiality expected from a King is known as Yamavrata (penance of Yama).

- Manu Smriti

कलिविडंबना - कलिधर्म

यथा जानन्ति बहवो यथा वक्ष्यन्ति दातरी ।
तथा धर्मं चरेत् सर्वं वृथा धर्ममाचरेत् ॥

- कलिविडंबना

When one follows Dharma, he must let every one know about it. The donor must be praised in order to ensure future donations. Without these, it is not worth following Dharma. Such will be the times in the epoch of Kali (present times).

- Kali Vidambana

महाभारत - कर्णपर्व - अहिंसा

यत् स्यादहिंसासंयुक्तं स धर्म इति निश्चयः ।
अहिंसार्थाय भूतानां धर्मप्रवचनं कृतम् ॥

- महाभारत, कर्णपर्व

That which believes in non-violence, compassion and kindness is said to in accordance with Dharma. No doubt about that. In fact all scriptures that preach Dharma have always preached against violence.

- Mahabharata, Karna Parva

रामायण - अरण्य - धर्म यश कीर्ति

यत् कॄत्वा न भवेद्धर्मो न कीर्तिर्न यशो भुवि ।
शरीरस्य भवेत् खेदः कस्तत् कर्म समाचरेत् ॥

- रामायण, अरण्य

Who would do any action that does not fall into these categories? - to uphold Dharma, to bring you glory or to spread your fame. All actions of man can be classified as above.

- Ramayana, Aranya

मनुस्मृति - अंतरात्म

यत्कर्म कुर्वतोऽस्य स्यात् परितोषोंतरात्मनः ।
तत्प्रयत्नेन कुर्वीत विपरीतं तु वर्जयेत् ॥

- मनुस्मृति

One must do what pleases one's conscience even if it is harder. One must never do anything that troubles the conscience.

- Manu Smriti

पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रसंप्राप्ति - सूर्य मेघ

यच्छन् जलमपि जलदो वल्लभतामेति सकललोकस्य ।
नित्यं प्रसारितकरो मित्रोऽपि न वीक्षितुं शक्यः ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रसंप्राप्ति

All the cloud does is to sprinkle water on the earth once in a while. Yet, the entire world likes him a lot. The Sun on the other hand works tirelessly giving out life giving rays all through out the day, every day. Yet, no one even looks him in the eye. In this unfair world, it is not enough to be helping others but one must also be presentable to win friends.

- Panchatantra, Mitrasamprapti

भागवत - राजधर्म

य उद्धरेत्करं राजा राजा प्रजा धर्मेष्वशिक्षयन् ।
प्रजानां शमलं भुंक्ते भगं च स्वं जहाति सः ॥

- भागवत

A king who collects taxes also must let the subjects understand the value of Dharma. If not, he will be no greater than some one protecting in exchange for money. So, if he does not teach them the value of Dharma, it is as of he is eating their waste.

- Bhagavata

महाभारत - वन - धर्म

मृषावादं परिहरेत् कुर्यात् प्रियमयाचितः ।
न च कामान्न संरंभान्न द्वेषाद्धर्ममुत्सृजेत् ॥

- महाभारत, वन

One must not engage in dry arguments. One must always do good to others without any expectation. Sensory pleasures, haste and hatred must not make one leave the path of Dharma.

- Mahabharata, Vana

सभारंजनशतक - लोभ

मृतोऽप्यर्थं न मोक्ष्यामि बद्ध्वा नेष्यामि मूर्धनि ।
इति चेत् सुदृढो लोभः पात्रे देयमशंकितम् ॥

- सभारंजनशतक

As long as greed has control of me, I will be thinking of carrying all this wealth on my head even after death. Hence I must get rid of greed and start developing a charitable attitude.

- Sabharanjanashataka

मनुस्मृति - धर्म

मृतं शरीरमुत्सृज्य काष्ठलोष्टसमं क्षितौ ।
विमुखा बांधवा यान्ति धर्मस्तमनुगच्छति ॥

- मनुस्मृति

Relatives will leave the dead body just like they would leave dry wood or a lump of mud. No one will follow you to the world of after-life. It is only results of the Dharma you followed all your life that will follow you and help/hurt you in the after-life.

- Manu Smriti

मनुस्मृति - मांस भक्षण

मां स भक्षयिताऽमुत्र यस्य मांसमिहाद्म्यहम् ।
एतन्मांसस्य मांसत्वं प्रवदन्ति मनीषिणः ॥

- मनुस्मृति

This verse plays on the etymological meaning of the word मांस (Meat). It can be split as मां सः According to this, it means that if we eat it in this world, then in the afterlife, it will eat us. So terrible is the sin of meat-eating.

- Manu Smriti

गरुड पुराण - मानव जन्म

महता पुण्ययोगेन मानुषं जन्म लभ्यते ।
तत्प्राप्य न कृतो धर्मः कीदृशं हि मयाकृतम् ॥

- गरुड पुराण

After much difficulty does one get a human life (in this endless cycle of life and deaths). Even after getting one, I did not live it by Dharma (the moral code of life). So laments a man who just realizes that he can not end the cycle with his life.

- Garuda Purana

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - प्रत्युपकार

मय्येव जीर्णतां यातु यत्त्वयोपकृतं मम ।
नरः प्रत्युपकारार्थी विपत्तिमनुकांक्षति ॥

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

I do not wish to repay the help that you have done to me. Any person who wishes to do so, is actually wishing that you get into trouble so that he can help you back.

- Subhashitasudhanidhi

विष्णुपुराण - स्वर्ग - नरक

मनःप्रीतिकरः स्वर्गः नरकस्तिद्विपर्यायः ।
नरकस्वर्गसंज्ञे वै पापपुण्ये द्विजोत्तम ॥

- विष्णुपुराण

What gives you happiness is heaven. The opposite is hell. When you do good deeds, your conscience makes you happy. When you hurt some one, it makes you sad. Hence the Heaven and Hell are also associated with doing good deeds and bad deeds respectively.

- Vishnu Purana

भागवत - युद्ध धर्म

मत्तं प्रमत्तमुन्मत्तं सुप्तं बालं स्त्रियं जडम् ।
प्रपन्नं विरथं भीतं न रिपुं हन्ति धर्मवित् ॥

- भागवत

A warrior who knows Dharma will never kill an enemy who is either insane, intoxicated, excited, sleeping, child, lady, incapacitated, surrendered, lost his chariot or scared.

- Bhagavata

याज्ञवल्क्य - धर्मार्थकाम

ब्राह्मे मुहूर्ते चोत्थाय चिन्तयेदात्मनो हितं ।
धर्मार्थकामान् स्वे काले यथाशक्ति न हापयेत् ॥

- याज्ञवल्क्य

One must get up early in the morning and think about his own wellness. Be positive. Whenever the world presents opportunities to earn some Dharma (by doing good deeds), wealth and pleasures - he must grab it. He must not let them go (in the guise of austerity).

- Yajnavalkya

हितोपदेश - मित्रलाभ - अतिथि

बालो वा यदि वा वृद्धो युवा वा गृहमागतः ।
तस्य पूजा विधातव्या सर्वत्राभ्यागतो गुरुः ॥

- हितोपदेश, मित्रलाभ

One must treat a guest with lot o respect and affection irrespective of whether he is a child, or youth or an old person. A guest in the house should be treated with the same respect as a teacher.

- Hitopadesha, Mitralabha

अभिज्ञान शाकुन्तला - राजधर्म

भानुः सकृद्युक्ततुरंग एव
    रात्रिं दिवं गन्धवहः प्रयाति ।
शेषः सदैवाहितभूमिभारः
    षष्ठांशवृत्तेरपि धर्म एषः ॥

- अभिज्ञान शाकुन्तला

There is no rest for the Sun who has taken it up on him to pour light on this world every day. The wind blows day and night. Adi Shesha supports the weight of the earth all the time. Like wise, there is no rest for a king who takes one-sixth of everyone's earnings. He has to work tirelessly towards protecting his subjects.

- Abhijnana Shakuntala

कुवलयानन्द - पाप

भवन्ति नरकाः पापात् पापं दारिद्र्यसंभवम् ।
दारिद्र्यमप्रदानेन तस्माद्दानपरो भवेत् ॥

- कुवलयानन्द

When one commits sin, he goes to hell. Sin is committed by people usually to escape poverty. Poverty is the result of greed because of which people do not give money to others. Hence one must generously give money to the needy (to indirectly prevent going to hell).

- Kuvalayananda

मनुस्मृति - मांसपरिवर्जन

फलमूलाशनैर्मेध्यैः मुन्यन्नानां च भोजनैः ।
न तत्फलमवाप्नोति यन्मांसपरिवर्जनात् ॥

- मनुस्मृति

One gets more results from giving up meat and other non-veg food than by eating just fruits and roots like the saints.

- Manu Smriti

महाभारत - उद्योग - धर्म

पूर्वे वयसि तत् कुर्यात् येन वृद्धः सुखं वसेत् ।
यावज्जीवेन तत् कुर्यात् येन प्रेत्य सुखं वसेत् ॥

- महाभारत, उद्योग

What is required at old-age, one must strive for that in days of youth. In old age, one must strive for what will help him in afterlife.

- Mahabharata, Udyoga

बोधिचर्यावतार - कृपालुः

पुण्येन कायः सुखितः पाण्डित्येन मनःसुखं ।
तिष्ठन् परार्थं संसारे कृपालुः केन खिद्यन्ते ॥

- बोधिचर्यावतार

By doing good deeds when living will keep us happy physically. Wisdom keeps us happy mentally. When one lives for the sake of others, no one can make him unhappy at any time.

- Bodhicharyavatara

सूक्तिमुत्कावली - धर्म

पिता माता भ्राता प्रियसहचरी सूनुनिवहः
    सुहृत् स्वामी माद्यत्करिभटरथाश्वः परिकरः ।
निमज्जंतं जंतुं नरककुहरे रक्षितुमलं
    गुरोर्धर्माधर्मप्रकटनपरात् कोऽपि न परः ॥

- सूक्तिमुत्कावली

Only a capable teacher can make one see the difference between right and wrong. All the others - father, mother, wife, children, friends, employer, army consisting of elephants, soldiers, chariots, horses and relatives - are useless in this regard since all of them make one prejudiced.

- Suktimutkavali

हितोपदेश - मित्रलाभ - साधवः

प्राणा यथात्मनोऽभीष्टा भूतानामपि ते तथा ।
आत्मौपम्येन भूतेषु दयां कुर्वन्ति साधवः ॥

- हितोपदेश, मित्रलाभ

Just as one is scared about his own life, so are every body else too. Only virtuous people understand this and treat every one just the same way he treats himself.

- Hitopadesha, Mitralabha

मनुस्मृति - अधर्म पापः

पादोऽधर्मस्य कर्तारं पादः साक्षिणमृच्छति ।
पादः सभासदः सर्वान् पादो राजानमृच्छति ॥

- मनुस्मृति

If a sin is committed in an assembly (king's court), then one quarter of the sin is attributed to the perpetrator. Another quarter to the by-standers who did not appose it. Another quarter to the members of the assembly who may have the powers to stop it but did not. The last quarter is attributed to the king.

- Manu Smriti

समयोचितपद्यमालिका - धर्मानुष्ठान

परोपदेशे पाण्डित्यं सर्वेषां सुकरं नृणाम् ।
धर्मे स्वीयमनुष्ठानं कस्यचित्तु महात्मनः ॥

- समयोचितपद्यमालिका

It is very easy to advise others what is the right thing to do. But there are very few noble men who put into action what they preach. It is very difficult to live by the code of Dharma all life.

- Samayochitapadyamalika

अत्रिसंहिता - दया

परस्मिन् बंधुवर्गे वा मित्रे द्वेष्ये रिपौ तथा ।
आत्मवद्वर्तितव्यं हि दयैषा परिकीर्तिता ॥

- अत्रिसंहिता

He who treats everyone like himself can be called as compassionate. The word 'everyone' includes strangers, relatives, friends, those who hate him and enemies

- Atri samhita

कौटिल्य - राजधर्म

प्रजा संरक्षणं धर्मो धार्मिकस्य महीभृतः ।
तस्मादसाधून् धर्माय निघ्नन् दोषैर्न लिप्यते ॥

- कौटिल्य

Protection of his subjects is the utmost duty of a King. In the process he has to punish/kill the rogues who trouble the subjects. There is no sin attached to such acts.

- Kautilya

शिवपुराण - वैद्य

निदानज्ञस्य भिषजो रुग्णहिंसां प्रयुंजतः ।
न किंचदपि नैर्घृण्यं घृणैवात्र प्रयोजिका ॥

- शिवपुराण

A doctor diagnoses a problem correctly and makes the patient go through the pain of surgery. There is no sin attached to this. In fact, he gets a lot of good karma credit for this.

- Shivapurana

महाभारत - आदि - दया मैत्री दान

न हीदृशं संवननं त्रिषु लोकेषु विद्यते ।
दया मैत्री च भूतेषु दानं च मधुरा च वाक् ॥

- महाभारत - आदि - दया मैत्री दान

There can not be better qualities found in the beings of all three worlds than these - compassion, friendship, selfless charity and sweet words.

- Mahabharata, Adi

मनुस्मृति - धर्म

न हायनैर्नपलितैः न वित्तेन न बंधुभिः ।
ॠषयश्चक्रिरे धर्मं योऽनूचानः स नो महान् ॥

- मनुस्मृति

Dharma is not to elope from everyday life. Neither it is what ever old people say. Dharma is not run by money. Dharma is not what your relatives tell. Dharma is practicing and living by the moral code of life (just as the sages lived). He who studies the scriptures (about dharma) will attain greatness.

- Manu Smriti

प्रयोगरत्नमाला - सत्य संतुष्टि अन्नदान वन्दन

नास्ति सत्यात् परो धर्मः संतुष्टिर्नात्मजात् परा ।
नान्नदानात् परं दानं वन्दनान्नोपचारकम् ॥

- प्रयोगरत्नमाला

There is no grander way of following Dharma than being truthful. There is no greater joy than at seeing your child (son) born. No better charity than giving food. There is no better hospitality than paying reverence.

- Prayogaratnamala

याज्ञवल्क्य - धर्म कर्म

नाश्रमः कारणं धर्मे क्रियमाणो भवेद्धि सः ।
अतो यदात्मनोऽपथ्यं परेषां न तदाचरेत् ॥

- याज्ञवल्क्य

It is not the hermitage that constitutes Dharma. It is the actions of people in a hermitage that qualifies as Dharma. Wise men know this. Hence they will not encourage people to rush to hermitages as a way to follow Dharma. Wise men will not advise to others what they know will not work.

- Yajnavalkya

मनुस्मृति - धर्म

नामुत्र हि सहायार्थं पिता माता च तिष्ठतः ।
न पुत्रदारा न ज्ञातिः धर्मस्तिष्ठति केवलः ॥

- मनुस्मृति

In the after life none of whom you love here will help you - not father, not mother, not relatives, not son, not wife, not friends. It is only fruits of following Dharma that help you there.

- Manu Smriti

भामिनीविलास - घनः

नापेक्षा न च दाक्षिण्यं न प्रीतिर्नच सङ्गतिः ।
तथाऽपि हरते तापं लोकानमुन्नतो घनः ॥

- भामिनीविलास

The mighty clouds cool the world. They do not expect anything in return. They have no obligations. They are neither friends nor have affection on any one. Yet, they help people by shielding them from hot Sun. Such is the greatness of the virtuous people.

- Bhaminivilasa

महाभारत - आदि - अधर्म

नाधर्मश्चरितो राजन् सद्यः फलति गौरिव ।
शनैरावर्त्यमानो हि कर्तुर्मूलानि कृतन्ति ॥

- महाभारत, आदि

If you stray from path of Dharma, you will not know its repercussions right then. It is not like raising cattle whose benefits are there to be seen immediately. The consequences of unlawful acts will slowly act to cut your very roots.

- Mahabharata, Adi Parva

मनुस्मृति - प्राणिहत्य

नाकृत्वा प्राणिनां हिंसां मांसमुत्पाद्यते क्वचित् ।
न च प्राणिवधः स्वर्ग्यः तस्मान्मांसं विवर्जयेत् ॥

- मनुस्मृति

There is no way one can get meat without killing animals. Killing anything is a sin. Hence one must give up meat eating.

- Manu Smriti

रामायण - किष्किन्धा - मद्यपान

न हि धर्मार्थसिद्ध्यर्थं पानमेवं प्रशस्यते ।
पानादर्थश्च धर्मश्च कामश्च परिहीयते ॥

- रामायण, किष्किन्धा

Intoxication is not conducive to following Dharma or gaining wealth. If one continues to drink, he will not be able to follow Dharma, accumulate wealth or enjoy lust.

- Ramayana, Kishkindha

महाभारत - उद्योग - सत्य धर्म

न सा सभा यत्र न सन्ति वृद्धा
    न ते वृद्धा ये न वदन्ति धर्मम् ।
नासौ धर्मो यत्र न सत्यमस्ति
    न तत् सत्यं यत्छलेनाभ्युपेतम् ॥

- महाभारत, उद्योग

There is no assembly of significance without wise old men. Old men are wise only when they follow Dharma. Dharma is supported only by truth. Truth is something that has no deceit.

- Mahabharata, Udyoga

याज्ञवल्क्य - उद्योग

न संशयं प्रपद्येत नाकस्मादप्रियं वदेत् ।
नाहितं नानृतं चैव न स्तेनः स्यान्न वार्धुषी ॥

- याज्ञवल्क्य

One must not create confusion. One must not utter harsh words even by mistake. Our words must not hurt others, but not be a lie. One must *not* make a living by stealing or lending money for interest.

- Yajnavalkya

याज्ञवल्क्य - विद्या तपः वृत्ति

न विद्यया केवलया तपसा वाऽपि पात्रता ।
यत्र वृत्तमिमे चोभे तद्दि पात्रं प्रकीर्तितम् ॥

- याज्ञवल्क्य

One does not become eligible (for anything) just being educated or having done some penance. One must have good character to augment the other two.

- Yajnavalkya

महाभारत - आदि - अनृत

न नर्मयुक्तं वचनं हिनस्ति
    न स्त्रीषु राजन् न विवाहकाले ।
प्राणात्यये सर्वधनापहारे
    पंचानृतान्याहुरपातकानि ॥

- महाभारत, आदि

When a lie is told as a joke (to invoke happiness) it does not attract sin. There are four more circumstances in life when telling a lie does not attract sin. They are - when you are with a woman, during a wedding (so that a wedding may go on smoothly), when your life is in danger or when all your wealth is being stolen.

- Mahabharata, Adi, Lie

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - सत्य

न तथ्यवचनं सत्यं नातथ्यवचनं मृषा ।
यद्भूतहितमत्यन्तं तत्सत्यमितरन्मृषा ॥

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

Just stating a fact as is not the same as telling truth. Not choosing to tell a fact is not the same as telling a lie. That which brings real (permanent) happiness to beings is truth. What does not is false.

- Subhashitasudhanidhi

रामायण - अरण्य - धर्म

न तत् समाचरेद्धीरो यत् परोऽस्य विगर्हयेत् ।
यथात्मनस्तथान्येषां दारा रक्ष्या विपश्चिता ॥

- रामायण, अरण्य

A noble man will never do any deeds that will attract criticism (honest). Such a person will protect other people's wives just as he would have if it were his wife in trouble.

- Ramayana, Aranya

चारुचार्य - हरिश्चन्द्र

न त्यजेद्धर्ममर्यादामपि क्लेशदशां श्रितः ।
हरिश्चंद्र हि धर्मार्थी सेहे चाण्डालदासताम् ॥

- चारुचार्य

One must not breach Dharma even when in trouble. Raja Harishchandra never wavered from following Dharma even when was enslaved by a chandala (race which runs the crematoriums).

- Charucharya

अविमारक - सुजनः

न तथा रत्नमासाद्य सुजनः परितुष्यति ।
यथा तत् तद्गताकांक्षे पात्रे दत्वा प्रहृष्यति ॥

- अविमारक

A virtuous person will be happy when he gets something valuable. But he will be more happy when he finds a right person who needs it and will be glad to part with it.

- Avimaraka

महाभारत - उद्योग - धर्म

न जातु कामान्न भयान्न लोभात्
    धर्मं जह्याज्जीवितस्यापि हेतोः ।
नित्यो धर्मः सुखदुःखे त्वनित्ये
    जीवो नित्यो हेतुरस्य त्वनित्यः ॥

- महाभारत, उद्योग

One must not give up Dharma succumbing to lust, or fear, or greed, or simply to the desire to live. Dharma is eternal. Happiness and Sorrow are temporary and will pass. Life (as in life on this world) is eternal. Each living being (us) and the reason for it to be in this world is temporary.

- Mahabharata, Udyoga

वाक्यपदीय - अगम

न चागमादृते धर्मस्तर्केण व्यवतिष्ठते ।
ऋषीणामपि यज्ज्ञानं तदप्यागमपूर्वकम् ॥

- वाक्यपदीय

Rituals are an integral way of following dharma. One can not establish dharma in a society based solely on logic. Even the ancient sages who started these rituals knew about this. All their knowledge (about the universe) is hence not opposed to the rituals that they began.

- Vakyapadiya

हितोपदेश - सन्धि - अभयदान

न गोप्रदानं न महीप्रदानं
    न चान्नदानं न तथात्मदानम् ।
यथा वदन्तीह महाप्रदानं
    सर्वप्रदानेष्वभयप्रदानम् ॥

- हितोपदेश, सन्धि

There is no greater help than giving refuge to some one who is scared. It is greater than giving a cow, land, food or himself.

- Hitopadesha, Sandhi

भागवत - दुःखः

न कामयेऽहं गतिमीश्वरात् परा-
    मष्टर्द्धियुक्तामपुनर्भवं वा ।
आर्तिं प्रपद्येऽखिलदुःखभाजा-
    मन्तः स्थितो येन भवन्त्यदुःखाः ॥

- भागवत

I do not ask for salvation, death or wealth from god. All I ask to be among people with misery so that I can shoulder their misery and alleviate their pain.

- Bhagavata

मनुस्मृति - धर्मलक्षण

धृतिः क्षमा दमोऽस्तेयं शौचमिन्द्रियनिग्रहः ।
धीर्विद्या सत्यमक्रोधो दशकं धर्मलक्षणम् ॥

- मनुस्मृति

These are the ten qualities of Dharma (moral code of life): Courage, forgiveness, austerity, never stealing, cleanliness, control of senses, a balanced mind, good education, truth, being never angry.

- Manu Smriti

महाभारत - कर्णपर्व - धर्म

धारणाद्धर्म इत्याहुर्धर्मो धारयते प्रजाः ।
यत् स्याद्धारणसंयुक्तं स धर्म इति निश्चयः ॥

- महाभारत, कर्णपर्व

This verse explains the etymology of the word "Dharma" in sanskrit. Dharma can be analyzed as 'some that supports'. Dharma clearly is the strength that supports the society and citizens. Anything that gives such honest strength can be thus called 'Dharma'.

- Mahabharatha, Karnaparva

कर्णभार - प्रजापालन

धर्मो हि यत्नैः पुरुषेण साध्यः
    भुजङ्गजिह्वचपला नृपुश्रियः ।
तस्मात्प्रजापालनमात्रबुद्ध्या
    हतेषु देहेषु गुणा धरन्ते ॥

- कर्णभार

One must follow dharma even when it is difficult to do so. The wealth and kingdom are as fickle as the tongue of a snake. Hence a wise king will rule fairly and strive to keep the subjects happy. In this way his fame will live even after his body is dead.

- Karnabhara

रामायण - अयोध्या - पितुर्वचन

धर्मो हि परमो लोके धर्मे सत्यं प्रतिष्ठितम् ।
धर्मसंश्रितमेतच्च पितुर्वचनमुत्तमम् ॥

- रामायण, अयोध्या

Nothing is above the Dharma (the moral code of life). There is no greater truth than dharma. Following one's father's advice is hence the first thing to do (given that his advice is according to dharma).

- Ramayana, Ayodhya

भागवत - हरिसेवा

धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाख्यं य इच्छेच्छेय आत्मनः ।
एकमेव हरेस्तत्र कारणं पादसेवनम् ॥

- भागवत

Dharma, Wealth, Lust and salvation are the four most important goals of human life. But all of these can be achieved only by the grace of God. Hence we must serve him all our life.

- Bhagavata

रामायण - अयोध्या - धर्म

धर्मादर्थः प्रभवते धर्मात् प्रभवते सुखम् ।
धर्मेण लभते सर्वं धर्मसारमिदं जगत् ॥

- रामायण, अयोध्या

Wealth follows dharma. Dharma leads to happiness. Everything can be attained by following dharma. Dharma supports everything in this world.

- Ramayana, Ayodhya

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - धर्मः

धर्मः श्रुतो वा दृष्टो वा स्मृतो वा कथितोऽपि वा ।
संमोदितो वा राजेन्द्र पुनाति पुरुषं सदा ॥

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

Oh King! one attains some good karma every time he hears, sees, remembers, speaks about or follows dharma (the moral code of life).

- Subhashitasudhanidhi

मनुस्मृति - धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः

धर्म एव हतो हन्ति धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः ।
तस्माद्धर्मो न हन्तव्यः मानो धर्मो हतोवाधीत् ॥

- मनुस्मृति

Any one who goes against dharma will be destroyed by dharma itself. He who protects dharma shall be protected by dharma. Hence it is not a good idea to destroy oneself by following dharma.

- Manu Smriti

हितोपदेश - सुहृत्भेद - दान बल श्रुत आत्म

धनेन किं यो न ददाति नाश्नुते
    बलेन किं येन रिपुं न भाधते ।
श्रुतेन किं येन न धर्ममाचरेत्
    किमात्मना यो न जितेन्द्रियो भवेत् ॥

- हितोपदेश, सुहृत्भेद

What is the use of wealth that is not spent either in charity or on himself? What is the use of strength that is not used to control enemies? What is the use of reading all the scriptures that does not make you follow Dharma? What is the use of knowing thyself when you can not over come your senses?

- Hitopadesha, Suhrudbheda

हितोपदेश - मित्रलाभ - धनोपयोग

धनानि जीवितं चैव परार्थे प्राज्ञ उत्सृजेत् ।
सन्निमित्तं वरं त्यागो विनाशे नियते सति ॥

- हितोपदेश, मित्रलाभ

Wealth and one's life must be used to help others. So think the wise. Both are bound to be destroyed. So it is best used to help others.

- Hitopadesha, Mitralabha

रघुवंश - अंगलीवोरगक्षता

द्वेष्योऽपि संमतः शिष्टः तस्यार्तस्य यथौषधम् ।
त्याज्यो दुष्टः प्रियोऽप्यासीत् अंगलीवोरगक्षता ॥

- रघुवंश

A sick person must take medicine even if it is not tasty. Even though a person is rough he may be required for the state machinery to run smoothly. A rogue must be kept at a distance even though he is a close relative - Just like a finger bitten by a snake must be cut off to spare the rest of the body.

- Raghuvamsha

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - महिमानं

देशः कालः पात्रं वितरति वित्तस्य कमपि महिमानं ।
अब्धितले शुक्तिपुटे स्नातं घनतोयमेति मणिभावम् ॥

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

When one distributes his wealth in charity, the world (space, time and forces) seems to be working towards making him achieve greatness. A drop of fresh water from the clouds that enters the ocean selflessly gets trapped in a oyster and becomes a pearl.

- Subhashitasudhanidhi

पराशरस्मृति - रक्षेदेव स्वदेहं

देशभङ्गे प्रवासे वा व्याधिषु व्यसनेष्वपि ।
रक्षेदेव स्वदेहादि पश्चाद्धर्मं समाचरेत् ॥

- पराशरस्मृति

When the country is being plundered (by enemies), when on travel, when ill, when in trouble - one must strive to protect his own body. Only later must he worry about following Dharma (the moral code of life).

- Parashara Smriti

मनुस्मृति - मनःपूतं समाचरेत्

दृष्टिपूतं न्यसेत्पादं पस्त्रपूतं जलं पिबेत् ।
सत्यपूतां वदेद्वाचं मनःपूतं समाचरेत् ॥

- मनुस्मृति

One must set foot only after seeing (cleared after an inspection by the eye). One must drink water only after passing through a cloth. One must utter words that pass through the truth filter. One's actions must pass the conscience test.

- Manu Smriti

चतुर्वर्गसंग्रह - याचना

दारिद्र्येण कुलं मदेन कुशलं द्वेषेण विद्याफलं
    शीलं दुर्जनसंगेमेन मलिनाचारेण शुक्लं यशः ।
आलस्येन धनं प्रयाति निधनं लौल्येन मानोन्नतिः
    याज्ञादैन्यपरिग्रहेण च गुणग्रामः समग्रो नृणाम् ॥

- चतुर्वर्गसंग्रह

Misery hurts the family. Intoxication destroys well-being. The fruits of education are spoiled by hatred. Character is spoiled by having friendship with rogues. By doing sinful acts one destroys his fame. Laziness makes you lose wealth. Greed destroys honor. But beggary destroys all qualities that a man has.

- Chaturvargasanraha

पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रसंप्राप्ति - दान लोभ शील संतोष

दानेन तुल्यो निधिरस्ति नान्यो
    लोभाश्च नान्योऽस्ति रिपुः पृथिव्याम् ।
विभूषणं शीलसमं न चान्यत्
    संतोषतुल्यं धनमस्ति नान्यत् ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रसंप्राप्ति

There is no treasure (that comes in handy) better than charity. No worse enemy than greed. No better decoration than good character. No better wealth than happiness.

- Panchatantra, Mitrasamprapti

पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रसंप्राप्ति - दान भोग नाश

दानं भोगो नाशस्तिस्रो गतयो भवन्ति वित्तस्य ।
यो न ददाति न भुंक्ते तस्य तृतीया गतिर्भवति ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रसंप्राप्ति

Wealth has to be either given away in charity, or spent, or destroyed. These are the only three outcomes from wealth. If not given away in charity, not spent, it will attain the third result.

- Panchatantra, Mitrasamprapti

हितोपदेश - मित्रलाभ - दान ज्ञान क्षमा त्याग

दानं प्रियवाक्सहितं ज्ञानमगर्वं क्षमान्वितं शौर्यम् ।
त्यागसहितं च वित्तं दुर्लभमेतच्चतुष्टयं लोके ॥

- हितोपदेश, मित्रलाभ

Charity with sweet words, knowledge without pride, bravery with forgiveness, wealth with generosity - all the above four are very rare in this world.

- Hitopadesha, Mitralabha

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - दान वाच

दानं वित्तादृतं वाचः कीर्तिधर्मौ तथायुषः ।
परोपकरणं कायादसारात्सारमुद्धरेत् ॥

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

Money must be used for charity. Speech must be used for truth. Life must be used to uphold Dharma and earn fame. Body must be used for helping others. Worthless things must always be used to create some thing worthwhile.

- Subhashitasudhanidhi

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - दातृ

दातृत्वमेव सर्वेभ्यो गुणेभ्यो भासतेतराम् ।
ज्ञातृत्वसहितं तेच्चेत्सुवर्णस्येव सौरभम् ॥

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

Generosity is the quality that shines the brightest among all other qualities. But if knowledge and generosity get together, then it is like adding perfume to gold.

- Subhashitasudhanidhi

सभारंजनशतक - दातुः

दातुः प्रतिग्रहीतुश्च यौ हस्तावुत्तराधरौ ।
तयोरप्यौत्तराधर्यं ताभ्यामेवोपपाद्यते ॥

- सभारंजनशतक

A generous person gives away his stuff to the needy. In the process, his hand is on top and those of the needy are down. So is the social status of the generous and needy.

- Sabharanjanashataka

पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रसंप्राप्ति - दाता

दाता लघुरपि सेव्यो भवति न कृपणो महानपि समृद्ध्या ।
कूपोऽतः स्वादुजलः प्रीत्यै लोकस्य न समुद्रः ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रसंप्राप्ति

Even if a generous person is poor, he is to be treated with respect. A miser deserves no respect even if he is rich and prosperous. People like water from a small well but not from the mighty ocean.

- Panchatantra, Mitrasamprapti

पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रसंप्राप्ति - धन

दातव्यं भोक्तव्यं धनविषये संचयो न कर्तव्यः ।
पश्येह मधुकरीणां संचितमर्थं हरन्त्यन्ये ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रसंप्राप्ति

Wealth must be handled in only 2 ways - spend it or donate it. One must never accumulate it. Look at what happens to bees that accumulate honey. Someone else is going to loot it.

- Panchatantra, Mitrasamprapti

महाभारत - उद्योग - धर्मं न जानंति

दश धर्मं न जानंति धृतराष्ट्र निबोध तान् ।
    मत्तः प्रमत्तः उन्मत्तः श्रान्तः क्रुद्धो बुभुक्षितः ॥
त्वरमाणश्च लुब्धश्च भीतः कामी च ते दश ।
    तस्मादेतेषु सर्वेषु न प्रसज्जेत पण्डितः ॥

- महाभारत, उद्योग

Oh Dhrutarashtra! the following ten kind of people will not be able to tell the right from wrong. They are someone mad with pride, insane, intoxicated, very tired, angry, hungry, someone in a hurry, greedy, frightened and the lascivious. Hence a wise man has to stay clear of them.

- Mahabharata, Udyoga

मनुस्मृति - दण्ड

दण्डः शास्ति प्रजाः सर्वाः दण्ड एवाभिरक्षति ।
दण्डः सुप्तेषु जागर्ति दण्डं धर्मं विदुर्बुधाः ॥

- मनुस्मृति

Punishment is what helps the king rule his subjects justly. It protects all the subjects (from miscreants). It protects even those who are sleeping (from thieves). Hence the wise men think that punishment is an integral part of Dharma (moral code of life)

- Manu Smriti

समयोचितपद्यमालिका - पाप पुण्य फल

त्रिभिर्वर्षैस्त्रिभिर्मासैस्त्रिभिः पक्षैस्त्रिभिर्दिनैः ।
अत्युत्कटैः पुण्यपापैरिहैव फलमश्नुते ॥

- समयोचितपद्यमालिका

If a deed you do has extraordinary consequences (either good or bad), then you will face its consequences in this life (and in this world) only. That could be with in 3 years, or 3 months, or 3 fortnights or just 3 days.

- Samayochitapadyamalika

पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रसंप्राप्ति - दान प्रीति

तावत्प्रीतिर्भवेल्लोके यावद्दानं प्रदीयते ।
वत्सः क्षीरक्षयं दृष्ट्वा परित्यजति मातरं ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रसंप्राप्ति

As long as people are generous, there will be love and affection in this world. Once people stop being generous, love vanishes. A calf will abandon the cow once the cow stops giving it milk.

- Panchatantra, Mitrasamprapti

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - वित्त त्याग

त्यागो गुणो वित्तवतां वितं त्यागवतां गुणः ।
परस्पर वियुक्तौतु वित्तत्यागौ विडंबना ॥

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

Generosity is the only quality that decorates the rich. Wealth is the only quality that decorates the generous. Both wealth and generosity are useless (laughable) without the other.

- Subhashitasudhanidhi

मनु स्मृति - पूज्याः

तस्मादेताः सदा पूज्याः भूषणाच्छादनाशनैः ।
भूतिकामैर्नरैर्नित्यं सत्कारेषूत्सवेषु च ॥

- मनु स्मृति

Any one who wants to prosper will keep women of the house happy by giving them ornaments, new dresses during special days (festivals) and treats them with respect.

- Manu Smriti

मनुस्मृति - धर्म

तस्माद्धर्मं सहायार्थं नित्यं संचिनुयाच्छनैः ।
धर्मेण हि सहायेन तमस्तरति दुस्तरम् ॥

- मनुस्मृति

One must keep accumulating good karma every day so that it may come in handy some day. So accumulated good will help you overcome the toughest times.

- Manu Smriti

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - तपः ज्ञान यज्ञ दान

तपः परं कृतयुगे त्रेतायां ज्ञानमुच्यते ।
द्वापरे यज्ञमेवाहुर्दानमेव कलौ युगे ॥

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

Penance is the best way to live in the Kruta Yuga. In Treta yuga, attaining knowledge was the best way. In Dwapara Yuga, performing relegious rituals was the way to live. In Kali Yuga (present day) donating generously to the needy is the only right way to live.

- Subhashitasudhanidhi

भागवत - अधर्म

तपः शौचं दया सत्यं इति पादाः कृते कृताः ।
अधर्मांशैस्त्रयो भग्नाः स्मयसंगमदैस्तव ॥

- भागवत

Penance, cleanliness, compassion and truth were the feet on which the Kruta Yuga world stood. By the influence of adharma (sin) three of them are destroyed in present time.

- Bhagavata

याज्ञवल्क्य - दण्ड

ज्ञात्वाऽपराधं देशं च कालं बलमथापि वा ।
वयः कर्म च वित्तं च दण्डं दण्ड्येषु पातयेत् ॥

- याज्ञवल्क्य

A king must consider all the following to give appropriate punishment for a crime - nature of the crime, place where it happened, time when it happened, strength of the perpetrator, his age, his occupation, his financial status. Only then will it be just.

- Yajnavalkya

हितोपदेश - सुहृद्भेद - धर्म

जलबिंदुनिपातेन क्रमशः पूर्यते घटः ।
स हेतुः सर्वविद्यानां धर्मस्य च धनस्य च ॥

- हितोपदेश, सुहृद्भेद

A pot gets filled by water falling into it one drop at a time. It may take a lot of time, but it does get filled. Such is the story of accumulation of knowledge (via education), good karma (by doing noble deeds), and wealth. All of these are very slow processes.

- Hitopadesha, Suhrudbhedha

कुवलयानन्द - महतामुदारता

चातकस्त्रिचतुरान् पयःकणान्
    याचते जलधरं पिपासया ।
सोऽपि पूरयति विश्वमंभसा
    हन्त हन्त महतामुदारता ॥

- कुवलयानन्द

The thirsty chataka bird begs the clouds to give it a couple of drops of water. The Clouds douse the entire earth in return. Really, the generosity of the virtuous people is worth appreciating.

- Kuvalayananda

याज्ञवल्क्य - राजधर्म

चाटतस्करदुर्वृत्तमहासाहसिकादिभिः ।
पीड्यमानाः प्रजा रक्षेत्कायस्थैश्च विशेषतः ॥

- याज्ञवल्क्य

A King must protect his subjects from the deceivers, thieves, rogues, bandits and especially the clerical staff (of administration)

- Yajnavalkya

मनुस्मृति - पंथा

चक्रिणो दशमीस्थस्य रोगिणो भारिणः स्त्रियाः ।
स्नातकस्य च राज्ञश्च पंथा देयो वरस्य च ॥

- मनुस्मृति

A pedestrian has to get off the road to leave way for the following: a chariot, old people, the sick, people carrying load, women, a person who just finished his religious studies on his way to get married, a king.

- Manu Smriti

मनुस्मृति - प्रायश्चित्त

ख्यापनेनानुतापेन तपसाऽध्ययनेन च ।
पापकृन्मुच्यते पापात्तथा दानेन चापदि ॥

- मनुस्मृति

A sinner will earn his redemption by doing the following: talking to others about his sin, feeling remorse, doing penance, studying and being generous in charity.

- Manu Smriti

हितोपदेश - मित्रलाभ - धर्म

को धर्मो भूतदया किं सौख्यमरोगिता जगति जन्तोः ।
कः स्नेहः सद्भावः किं पाण्डित्यं परिच्छेदः ॥

- हितोपदेश, मित्रलाभ

What is dharma? Having compassion towards all beings. What is happiness? Being healthy is happiness. What is friendship? Not having hard feelings towards any one is friendship. What is scholarly wisdom? The art of dissection (ability to logically breakdown a problem and its intricacies).

- Hitopadesha, Mitralabha