रामायण - अयोध्या - आम्रं छित्वा

आम्रं छित्वा कुठारेण निंबं परिचरेत्तु यः ।
यश्चैवं पयसा संचेन्नैवास्य मधुरो भवेत् ॥

- रामायण, अयोध्य

Amram ChitvA kuThAreNa nimbam paricharet tu yaH ।
yashchaivaM payasA sinchet naiva asya madhuro bhavet ॥

- rAmAyaNa, ayodhyA

One cannot change the innate nature of any being. If you cut down a neighbouring mango tree and treat the neem tree very well by pouring milk at it, it will not become any sweeter.

- Ramayana, Ayodhya

हितोपदेश - सुहृद्भेद - सेवकः

आपद्युन्मार्गगमने कार्यकालात्ययेषु च ।
अपृष्टेनापि वक्तव्यं भृत्येन हितमिच्छता ॥

- हितोपदेश, सुहृद्भेद

ApadyunmArgagamane kAryakAlatyayeShu cha ।
apRuShTenApi vaktavyaM bhRutyena hitam icChatA ॥

- hitopadesha, suhRudbheda

When the master is going down a dangerous path, or not done any work that is long pending a loyal servant must tell him otherwise, He must do this even when he is not spoken to.

- Hitopadesha, Suhrudbheda

पराशर स्मृति - धर्माचरण

आपत्काले तु संप्राप्ते शौचाचारं न चिंतयेत् ।
स्वयं समुद्धरेत् पश्चात् स्वस्थो धर्मं समाचरेत् ॥

- पराशर स्मृति

ApatkAle tu samprApte shauchAchAram na chintayet ।
svayam samuddharet pashchAt svastho dharmam samAcharet ॥

- parAshara smRuti

When you are faced with a calamity, one must not be adamant on following the cleanliness procedures. One must save himself first and only then the Dharma must be followed.

- Parashara Smriti

पञ्चतंत्र - मित्र संप्राप्ति - समित्रः

आदित्यस्योदयं तात तांबूलं भारतीकथा ।
इष्टा भार्या समित्रं च अपूर्वाणि दिनेदिने ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्र संप्राप्ति

Adityasya udayam tAta tAMbUlaM bhAratIkathA ।
iShTA bhAryA samitraM ca apUrvANi dinedine ॥

- panchatantra, mitrasamprApti

Oh Father! the sunrise, beetle leaves, story from the Mahabharatha, loving wife and a good friend always have a freshness with them. They are always new.

- Panchatantra, Mitrasamprapti

न्यायमञ्जरी - वैद्यः

आर्तो हि भिषजं पृष्ट्वा तदुक्तमनुतिष्ठते ।
तस्मिन् सविचिकित्सस्तु व्याधेराधिक्यमाप्नुयात् ॥

- न्यायमञ्जरी

Arto hi bhiShajaM pRShTvA taduktam anutiShThate ।
tasmin svichikitsaH astu vyAdheH Adhikyam ApnuyAt ॥

- nyAyamanjarI

When one is ill, he goes to doctor and takes the prescribed medicine. But while doing that if he doubts the doctor, then the illness will aggravate. This perhaps due the body subconsciously rejecting the medicine.

- Nyayamanjari

सुभाषितरत्नसमुच्चय - मौनम्

आत्मनो मुखदोषेण बध्यन्ते शुकसारिकाः ।
बकास्तत्र न बध्यन्ते मौनं सर्वार्थसाधनम् ॥

- सुभाषितरत्नसमुच्चय

Atmano mukha doSheNa badhyante shuka sArikAH ।
bakaH tatra na badhyante maunaM sarvArtha sAdhanam ॥

- subhAShitaratnasamucchaya

Chirpy birds like the parrot get caught in the net because of their words. (because people like to have them as pet). A duck never gets caught because it does not make any sound. Anything can be achieved by being silent.

- Subhashitaratnasamucchaya

आश्चर्यचूडामणि व्याख्या - आत्मनाशे

आत्मनाशे धर्मनाशे व्यसने सुमहत्यपि ।
दोषाय नानृतवचो भवती ह न संशयः ॥

-आश्चर्यचूडामणि व्याख्या

AtmanAshe dharmanAshe vyasane sumahatyapi ।
doShAya nAnRutavaco bhavatI ha na saMshayaH ॥

- AshcharyachUDAmaNi vyAkhyA

When faced with death, harm to dharma (morality), grave danger it is acceptable to lie. There is no sin attached to such a lie.

- Ashcharya Chudamani Vyakhya

भागवत - आत्मानं बहु मन्यते

आत्मजायासुतागारपशुद्रविणबंधुषु ।
निरूढमूलहृदय आत्मानं बहु मन्यते ॥

- भागवत

Atma jAyA suta AgAra pashu draviNa bandhuShu ।
niRUDha mUla hRudaya AtmAnaM bahu manyate ॥

- bhAgavata

Man gets too much attached to himself, his wife, children, house, pets, wealth and relatives. Once he feels for all these in his heart, he thinks himself to be very important for all these to exist.

- Bhagavata

अभिज्ञानशाकुन्तला - सत्य प्रमाण

आजन्मनः शाठ्यमशिक्षितो यः
    तस्याप्रमाणं वचनं जनस्य ।
परातिसंधानमधीयते यैः
    विद्येति ते सन्तु किलाप्तवाचः ॥

- अभिज्ञानशाकुन्तल

AjanmanaH shAThyam ashikShito yaH
    tasya apramANam vachanaM janasya ।
parAtisaMdhAnamdhIyate yaiH
    vidyeti te santu kila AptavAchaH ॥

- abhijnAna shAkuntalA

What has become of this world? People do not believe the words of sages who live in hermitage and have never been exposed (or taught) deceit. On the other hand, they believe words of those who have learnt the art of deception as part of their formal education (the kings).

- Abhjnana Shakuntala

मनुस्मृति - सज्जन

आचार्यश्च पिता चैव माता भ्राता च पूर्वजः ।
नार्ते नाप्यवमंतव्या सज्जनेन विशेषतः ॥

- मनुस्मृति

AchAryashca pitA chaiva mAtA bhrAtA cha pUrvajaH ।
nArte na api avamantavyA sajjanena visheShataH ॥

- manusmRuti

Even when we are faced with lot of misery, we should not speak ill about our father, mother, brother or any ancestors. A virtous person whould take extra care not to do so.

- Manu Smriti

पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रभेद - अंतर्गतं मनः

आकारैरिंगितैर्गत्या चेष्टया भाषणेन च।
नेत्रवक्त्रविकारैश्च लक्ष्यते अंतर्गतं मनः ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रभेद

AkAraiH ingitaiH gatyA cheShTayA bhAShaNena cha ।
netravaktravikAraiH lakShyate antargatam manaH ॥

- panchatantra, mitrabheda

One's inner feelings are revealed thus - his form, his intentions, his mannerisms (posture, walk, etc), his antics, his words, what his eyes follows and his facial expressions.

- Panchatantra, Mitrabheda

किं वाससैवं

किं वाससैवं न विचारणीयं
    वासः प्रधानं खलु योग्यतायाः ।
पीतांबरं वीक्ष्य ददौ तनूजां
    दिगंबरं वीक्ष्य विषं समुद्रः ॥

kim vAsasaivaM na vichAraNIyam
    vAsaH pradhAnam khalu yogyatAyAH ।
pItAmbaram vIkShya dadau tanUjAm
    digambaram vIkShya viShaM samudraH ॥

One must not think that appearances do not matter at all. People judge the ability of a person by what he wears. During the great churning of the ocean, the king of the ocean gave his daughter Lakshmi to Vishnu seeing that he was wearing gold. He gave poison to Shiva since he was not wearing anything (smeared his body with ash).

रामायण - युद्ध - भावमंतर्गतं

आकारश्छाद्यमानोऽपि न शक्यो विनिगूहितुम् ।
बलाद्धि विवृणोत्येव भावमंतर्गतं नृणाम् ॥

- रामायण, युद्ध

AkAraH ChAdyamAno api na shakyo vinigUhitum ।
balAddhi vivRuNotyeva bhAvamantargatam nRuNAm ॥

- rAmAyaNa, yuddha

Even if someone tries, he will not be able to prevent the inner feelings from being reflected in his facial expressions. It will always show up.

- Ramayana, Yuddha

सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार - स्वर्गस्थोऽसौ महीतले

अस्ति पुत्रो वशी यस्य बृत्यो भार्या तथैव च ।
अभावे सति संतोषः स्वर्गस्थोऽसौ महीतले ॥

- सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार

asti putro vashI yasya bhRuto bhAryA tathA eva cha ।
abhAve sati santoShaH svargastho asau mahItale ॥

- subhAShitaratnabhANDAgAra

If a man has a obedient son, willing wife, loyal servant and is happy even when poor - he is said to have found heaven on earth.

- Subhashitaratnabhandagara

सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार - असंमाने तपोवृद्धिः

असंमाने तपोवृद्धिः संमानाच्च तपःक्षयः ।
पूजया पुण्यहानिः स्यान्निंदया सद्गतिर्भवेत् ॥

- सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार

asammAne tapo vRuddiH sammAnAt cha tapaH kShayaH ।
pUjayA puNyahAniH syAnnindayA sadgatirbhavet ॥

- subhAShitaratnabhANDAgAra

When you do penance in isolation your penance gets stronger. When you accept to be respected by followers, then the power of your penance decreases. When people worship you then your good karma erodes. When they do not, you are on your way to a good death.

- Subhashitaratnabhandagara

भागवत - काम क्रोध लोभ भय

असंकल्पाज्जयेत् कामं क्रोधं कामविवर्जनात् ।
अर्थानर्थेक्षया लोभं भयं तत्त्वावमर्शनात् ॥

- भागवत

asankalpAt jayet kAmam krodham kAma vivarjanAt ।
arthAn arthekShayA lobham bhayam tattva avamarshanAt ॥

- bhAgavata

One must get over lust by teaching one self not to feel the need. By giving up lust, one can give up anger. One will give up greed once he realises that wealth is the source of so many miseries. Fear can be let go by proper understanding of philosophy.

- Bhagavata

महाभारत - स्त्री - पराक्रम

अशोचयन् प्रतिकुर्वीत यदि पश्येत् पराक्रमम् ।
भैषज्यमेतद्दुःखस्य यदेतन्नानुचिंतयेत्॥

- महाभारत, स्त्री

ashochayan prati kurvIta yadi pashyet parAkramam ।
bhaiShajyam etad duHkhasya yad etat nAnuchintayet ॥

- mahAbhArata, strI

If you are courageous, you must attack the problems head on. Not thinking too much about it is the medicine for unhappiness.

- Mahabharata, Stree

विश्वगुणादर्श - तन्वते देशसेवाम्

अशुभपुषि कलावप्यप्रमत्ताः स्वधर्मा
    दनुदिनमुपकारानाचरन्तो बुधानाम् ।
बहुजनपरिपुष्टौ बद्धदीक्षास्त एते
    तनुसुखमपि हित्वा तन्वते देशसेवाम् ॥

- विश्वगुणादर्श

ashubhapuShi kalau api a[pramattAH svadharmAd
    anudinam upakArAn Acharanto budhAnAm ।
bahujana paripuShTau baddha dIkShAsta ete
    tanusukhamapi hitvA tanvate deshasevAm ॥

- vishvaguNAdarsha

Even in the times of Kali (present age) when sin is on the rise there will be virtuous people who will not abandon their traditions. They will not lose their mind. They will continue to serve wise men every day. They will always strive to help as many people as possible. They do this as if they owe it to them. They do not care about their own bodily luxuries. Their sole aim will be to serve the country.

- Vishvagunadarsha

पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रभेद - अमृतं शिशिरे वह्निः

अमृतं शिशिरे वह्निरमृतं प्रियदर्शनम् ।
अमृतं राजसंमानं अमृतं क्षीरभोजनम् ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रभेद

amRutam shishire vahniH amRutam priyadarshanam ।
amRutam rAjasaMmAnam amRutam kShIra bhojanam ॥

- panchatantra, mitrabheda

In winter sitting beside the fire is like having elixir. When you see someone you like, it has the same feeling. Same is the feeling when you are decorated by the king. Very similar is the feeling when you eat rice baked in milk. One must consider all these very important in his life.

- Panchatantra, Mitrabheda

महाभारत - वन - सद्गुण

अब्रुवन् कस्यचिन्निंदामात्मपूजामवर्णयन् ।
न कश्चिद् गुणसंपन्नः प्रकाशो भुवि दृश्यते ॥

- महाभारत, वन

abruvan kasyachit nindAm AtmapUjAm avarNayan ।
na kashchid guNa sampannaH prakAsho bhuvi dRushyate ॥

- mahAbhArata, vana parva

Can not find a single person who categorically never praises himself and never criticises others. So rare is that quality.

- Mahabharata, Vana

समयोचितपद्यमालिका - योजकः

अमंत्रमक्षरं नास्ति वनस्पतिरनौषधम् ।
अयोग्यः पुरुषो नास्ति योजकस्तत्र दुर्लभः ॥

- समयोचितपद्यमालिका

amantram akSharam nAsti vanaspatiH anauShadham ।
ayogyaH puruSho nAsti yojakaH tatra durlabhaH ॥

- samayochita padya mAlikA

There is no letter in the alphabet that never occurs in any verse. No herb exists that is not part of some medicine. Likewise, no person is completely useless. It is however difficult to find a manager who can use him appropriately.

- Samayochitapadyamalika

भागवतमाहात्म्यं - अनाचारं हतं कुलं

अवैष्णवो हतो देशो हतं श्राद्धमपात्रकम् ।
हतमश्रोत्रिये दानमनाचारं हतं कुलम् ॥

- भागवतमाहात्म्यं

avaiShNavo hato desho hato shrAddhamapAtrakam ।
hatamashrotriyo dAnam anaachAram hatam kulam ॥

- bhAgavata mAhAtmya

A country is ruined when its people lose faith (in God). A ritual (for the dead) is ruined if there are no deserved people who can accept donations. Charity to given to some one who is not well versed with the scriptures is a waste. A whole family get ruined if it forgets the culture and traditions of the times.

- Bhagavata Mahatmya

भागवत - द्वंद्वम्

अविद्यमानोऽप्यवभाति हि द्वयो
    ध्यातुर्धिया स्वप्नमनोरथौ यथा ।
तत्कर्म संकल्पविकल्पकं मनो
    बुधो निरुन्ध्यादभयं ततः स्यात् ॥

- भागवत

avidyamAno api avabhAti hi dvayo
    dhyAtuH dhiyA svapna manorathau yathA ।
tat karma saMkalpa vikalpakam mano
    budho niruMdhyAd abhayam tataH syAt ॥

- bhAgavata

Even though there is only one truth, it may appear as many. Just like a person who sits to meditate sees dreams and wishes as separate even though they are the same. Hence one must contain the mind that thinks in both directions - positive and negative. Only then can one be free from fear.

- Bhagavata

विष्णु पुराण - कलियुग

अरक्षितारो हर्तारश्युल्कव्याजेन पार्थिवाः ।
हारिणो जनवित्तानां संप्राप्ते तु कलौ युगे ॥

- विष्णु पुराण

arakShitAro hartAH ashyulka vyaajena pArthivaH ।
hAriNo janavittAnAM samprApte tu kalau yuge ॥

- viShNu purANa

In the times of Kali (present time), kings will not protect the subjects. They will loot them in the pretext of collecting taxes.

- Vishnu Purana

रामायण - युद्ध - परदारा

अयशस्यमनायुष्यं परदाराभिमर्शनम् ।
अर्थक्षयकरं घोरम् पापस्य च पुनर्भवम् ॥

- रामायण, युद्ध

ayashasyam anAyuShyam paradArAbhimarshanam ।
arthakShayakaram ghoram pApasya cha punarbhavam ॥

- rAmAyaNa, yuddha

Touching another man's wife is a great sin. It will lead to infamy. It will diminish your life and wealth. It will be dealt with like any other heinous crime (in hell).

- Ramayana, Yuddha

सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार - पाप

अयशः प्राप्यते येन येन चापगतिर्भवेत् ।
स्वर्गाश्च भ्रश्यते येन तत्कर्म न समाचरेत् ॥

- सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार

ayashaH prApyate yena yena cha apagatiH bhavet ।
svargAH cha bhrashyate yena tat karma na samAcharet ॥

- subhAShita ratna bhANDAgAra

One must not do any action that will harm his fame, lead him to destruction or lose a chance at heaven.

- Subhashitaratnabhandagara

गरुड पुराण - शास्त्राणि

अभ्यस्य वेदशास्त्राणि तत्त्वं ज्ञात्वाऽथ बुद्धिमान् ।
पलालमिव धान्यार्थी सर्वशास्त्राणि संत्यजेत् ॥

- गरुड पुराण

abhyasya veda shAstrANi tattvam jnAtvA atha buddhimAn ।
palAlamiva dhAnyArthI sarvashAstrANi samtyajet ॥

- garuDa purANa

One must study all the veda and other scriptures. Understand the philosophy behind them. Once done, a wise man will leave the scriptures behind and take only the knowledge. Just like anyone interested in the grains will leave the husk behind. Scriptures are only a means and not the end.

- Garuda Purana

पञ्चतंत्र - काकोलूकीय - दुर्जन

अपूज्या यत्र पूज्यन्ते पूज्यानां तु विमानना ।
त्रीणि तत्र प्रवर्तन्ते दुर्भिक्षं मरणं भयम् ॥

- पञ्चतंत्र, काकोलूकीय

apUjya yatra pUjyante pUjyAnAm tu vimAnanA ।
trINi tatra pravartante durbhikShaM maraNaM bhayam ॥

- panchatantra, kAkolUkIya

In a place where respectable people are not respected and where rogues are respected more - three things are bound to be abundant. Poverty (misery), death and fear.

- Panchatantra, Kakolukiya

मुद्रराक्षस - भृत्या नृपतेः

अप्राज्ञेन च कातरेन च गुणः स्याद्भक्तियुक्तेन कः
       प्रज्ञविक्रमशालिनोऽपि हि भवेत् किं भक्तिहीनात्फलम् ।
प्रज्ञाविक्रमभक्तयः समुदिताः येषां गुणा भूतये
       ते भृत्या नृपतेः कलत्रमितरे संपत्सु चापत्सु च ॥

- मुद्रराक्षस

aprAjnena cha kAtareNa cha guNaH syAd bhaktiyuktena kaH
       prajnA vikramashAlinaH api hi bhavet kim bhaktihInAt phalam ।
prajnA vikrama bhaktayaH samuditAH yeShAM guNA bhUtaye
       te bhRutyA nRupateH kalatram itare sampatsu chApatsu cha ॥

- mudrarAkShasa

If servant is very loyal, but neither intelligent nor brave then he is of o use. If he is both intelligent and brave but lacks loyalty, then again he is of no use. Only those servants who are loyal, courageous and intelligent are the real reasons of a kings prosperity. The others are only playing supporting roles at all times.

- Mudrarakshasa

कौटिल्य - अपराधं सहेताल्पं

अपराधं सहेताल्पं तुष्येदल्पेऽपि चोदये ।
महोपकारांश्चाध्यक्षान् प्रग्रहेणाभिपूजयेत् ॥

- कौटिल्य

aparAdhaM sahetAlpaM tuShyedalpepi chodaye ।
mahopakArAMshcadhyakShAn pragraheNa abhipUjayet ॥

- kautiLya

Minor offences must be overlooked. One must rejoice at even small successes. When one helps you explicitly, he must be respected.

- Kautilya

भोजप्रबंध - अप्रगल्भस्य विद्या

अप्रगल्भस्य या विद्याकृपणस्य च यद्धनम् ।
यच्च बाहुबलं भीरोर्व्यर्थमेतत्त्रयं भुवि ॥

- भोजप्रबंध

apragalbhasya yA vidyA kRupaNasya cha yad dhanam ।
yacca bAhubalam bhIroH vyartham etat trayam bhuvi ॥

- bhojaprabandha

Eduction is waste when possessed by a person without courage. Money owned by a miser is waste. Muscle strenght of a coward is a waste. These three things on this earth are a complete waste.

- Bhojaprabandha