भक्तं शक्तं कुलीनं च न भृत्यमपमानयेत् ।
पुत्रवल्लालयेन्नित्यं य इच्छेच्छ्रियमात्मनः ॥
- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रभेद
bhaktam shaktam kulInam cha na bhRutyam apamAnayet ।
putravat lAlayet nityam ya icChet shriyam AtmanaH ॥
- panchatantra, mitralAbha
If you have a loyal, efficient servant from a good family (good culture) - you should never insult him. You must treat him as if he is your own son if you wish for prosperity.
- Panchatantra, Mitralabha
पद्यं यद्यपि विद्यते बहु सतां हृद्यं विगद्यं न तत्
गद्यं च प्रतिपद्यते न विजहत्पद्यं बुधास्वाद्यताम् ।
आदत्ते हि तयोः प्रयोग उभयोरामोदभूमोदयं
संगः कस्य हि न स्वदेत मनसे माध्वीकमृद्वीकयोः ॥
- विश्वगुणादर्श
padyam yadyapi vodyate bahu satAm hRudyam vigadyam na tat
gadyaM cha pratipadyate na vijahat padyam budhA asvAdyatAm ।
Adatte hi tayoH prayoga ubhayoH amoda bhUmodayam
sangaH kasya hi na svadeta manase mAdhvika mRudvIkayoH ॥
- vishvaguNAdarsha
There are many poems. But most people will not enjoy works that have only poems without any prose (vyAkhyAna?). Similarly scholars do not like a lot of prose without any poems in between. It is more pleasurable only when both of them are used together. Who will not like a dish that has mixed both honey and sweet grapes?
- Vishvagunadarsha
बहिर्जातविरागाय, शान्तचित्ताय दीयताम् ।
निर्मत्सराय शुचये यस्याहं प्रेयसां प्रियः ॥
- भागवत
bahir jAta virAgAya shanta chittaya dIyatAm ।
nirmatsarAya shuchaye yasyaaham preyasAm priyaH ॥
- bhAgavata
Give it (knowledge) to a person who is not interested in the outside world, whose mind is still and clear, who is not jealous and who is clean (in his mind) and one who likes me (God) a lot.
- Bhagavata
बलिनो बलिनः स्निह्यंत्यबलं तु न गृह्णते ।
दावं दीपयते चण्डो दीपं व्याहन्ति मारुतः ॥
- सभारंजन शतक
balino balinaH snihanti abalam tu na gRuhNate ।
dAvam dIpayate chanDo dIpam vyahanti mArutaH ॥
- sabhAranjana shataka
The strong and powerful always make friendship with equals. They will not care about the weak. Wind will give more power to a equally powerful forest fire, but will kill a weak lamp light.
- Sabharanjana Shataka
बहुधाप्यागमैर्भिन्नाः पंथानः सिद्धिहेतवः ।
त्वय्येव निपतत्योघा जाह्नवीया इवार्णवे ॥
- रघुवंश
bahudhA api AgamaiH bhinnAH panthAnaH siddhihetavaH ।
tvayyeva nipatanti oghA jAhnavIyA ivArNave ॥
- raghuvamsha
There are many sects in this world who differ just in their way of worship and path taken to reach God. But just like all tributaries of Ganga reach the same ocean, all the sects reach the same God in spite of differences in the path taken.
- Raghuvamsha
बह्वपि स्वेच्छया कामं प्रकीर्णमभिधीयते ।
अनुज्झितार्थसंबंधः प्रबंधो दुरुदाहरः ॥
- शिशुपालवध
bahvapi sveccheyA kAmam prakIrNam abhidhIyate ।
anujjhitArtha sambandhaH prabandho durudAharaH ॥
- shishupAlavadha
It is easy to talk freely about irrelevant things. Anybody can do it. It is very hard to choose a topic and create a well composed prose on it.
- Shishupalavadha
फेत्कुर्वंत्यपि फेरवोऽतिपरुषं चेत् पार्श्वयोराश्रिताः
काकाश्चेदुपरि स्थिताः प्रतिदिशं कुर्वंति कोलाहलम् ।
मंदं मंदमुपांतमीलितदृशो मार्गे पदं न्यस्यतः
किं भेदं समुपैति कुंजरपतेर्मानोन्नता भ्रूलता ॥
- अन्यापदेशशतक
phet kurvanti api pheravo ati paruSham chet pArshvayoH AshritAH
kAkAH chet upari sthitAH pratidishaM kurvanti kolahalam ।
mandam mandam mupAntamIlitadRusho mArge padaM nyasyataH
kiM bhedaM samupaiti kunjarapateH mAnonnatA bhrUlatA ॥
- anyApadeshashataka
Let the jackals taking shelter on either sides of the elephant do their harshest noises. Let the crows on top create havoc. The elephant sees the path it wants to go with its half closed eyes and puts one step on another being least bothered about the distractions. It will not even break its eyebrows. Such is the concentration and steadiness of virtuous men.
- Anyapadeshashataka
पौरोहित्यं रजनिचरितं ग्रामणीत्वं नियोगो
माठापत्यं ह्यनृतवचनं साक्षिवादः परान्नम् ।
ब्रह्मद्वेषः खलजनरतिः प्राणिनां निर्दयत्वं
मा भूदेवं मम पशुपते जन्मजन्मांतरेऽपि ॥
- शिवापराधक्षमापणस्तोत्र
paurohityam rajani charitam grAmaNItvam niyogo
maThApatyam hi anRutavacanam sAkShivAdaH parAnnam ।
brahmadveShaH khalajanaratiH prANinAm nirdayatvam
mA bhUdevam mama pashupate janma janmaantare api ॥
- shivaaparAdhakShamApaNastotra
Oh my lord who is the god of all beings, spare me from these in this and any further lives - being a leader, having to walk at night, being a village head, slavery, head of mutt, having to tell a lie, having to give testimony as a witness in any proceeding, living on other's mercy, enmity of a brahmin, friendship of wicked people, lacking compassion towards animals.
- Shivaaparadhakshamapanastotra
बंधुः को नाम दुष्टानां कुप्येत्को नातियाचितः ।
को न तृप्यति वित्तेन कुकृते को न पंडितः ॥
- सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार
bandhuH ko nAma duShTAnAm kupyet ko na ati yAchitaH ।
ko na tRupyati vittena kukRute ko na panDitaH ॥
- subhAShitaratnabhANDAgAra
Does a wicked man have any friends? Who will not get angry at a persistent beggar? Who can not be satiated by money? Who is not an expert at sin?
- Subhashitaratnabhandagara
फलं कतकवृक्षस्य यद्यप्यंबुप्रसादकं ।
न नाम ग्रहणादेव तस्य वारि प्रसीदति ॥
- मनुस्मृति
phalaM katakavRukShasya yadyapi ambuprasAdakam ।
na nAma grahaNAdeva tasya vAri prasIdati ॥
- manu smriti
The seeds of the clearing nut plant (Strychnos Potatorum) is known to clear the water of suspended particles. But mere uttering its name will not do it. Knowledge is similar - it has to be applied, not just recited.
- Manu Smriti
पुस्तकस्था हि या विद्या धनं यद् वान्यहस्तगम् ।
नोपकुर्याज्जनस्येह कार्यकाले समुपस्थिते ॥
- सुभाषितरत्नसमुच्चय
pustakasthA hi yA vidyA dhanaM yad va anya hastagam ।
na upakuryAt janasya iha kAryakAle samupasthite ॥
- subhAShitaratnasamucchaya
Knowledge that is present in a book and money lent to others are both useless when you need them. They can not be recalled at the very hour it is needed.
- Subhashitaratnasamucchaya
अकारणाविष्कृतवैरदारुणात्
असज्जनात्कस्य भयं न जायते ।
विषं महाहेरिव यस्य दुर्वचः
सुदुःसहं सन्निहितं सदा मुखे ॥
- कादंबरी
akAraNa AviShkRuta vaira dAruNAt
asajjanaat kasya bhayam na jAyate ।
viSham mahAheriva yasya durvachaH
suduHsahaM sannihitaM sadA mukhe ॥
- kAdambarI
Who will not scared of a wicked person who is capable of hatred without any reason? They have a ready stock of harsh words in their mouth just like the venom in the mouth of snake.
- Kadambari
पुराणमित्येव न साधु सर्वं
न चापि काव्यं नवमित्यवद्यम् ।
संतः परीक्ष्यान्यतरद्भजन्ते
मूढः परप्रत्ययनेयबुद्धिः ॥
- मालविकाग्निमित्र
purANamiti eva na sAdhu sarvam
na chApi kAvyaM navamiti avadyam ।
santaH parIkShya anyatarat bhajante
mUDhaH parapratyaneyabuddhiH ॥
- mAlavikAgnimitra
Nothing is to be considered great just because it is old. Similarly, not all things new are to be considered lightly. Wise men will weigh each work and treat them appropriately. Only fools follow others.
- Malavikagnimitra
पुत्रीति जाता महतीह चिंता
कस्मै प्रदेयेति महान्वितर्कः ।
दत्वा सुखं प्राप्स्यति वा न वेति
कन्यापितृत्वं खलु नाम कष्टम् ॥
- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रभेद
putri iti jAtA mahati iha chintA
kasyai pradeya iti mahAn vitarkaH ।
datva sukham prApsyati vA na vA iti
kanyA pitRutvam khalu nAma kaShTam ॥
- panchatantra, mitrabheda
If a daughter is born it is a cause of great worry. First you have to worry about whom she should be married to. Its a great debate. After getting married, you get worried if she is happy or not. It is really difficult being a father of a daughter.
- Panchatantra, Mitrabheda
प्रियवाक्यप्रदानेन सर्वे तुष्यंति जंतवः ।
तस्मात्तदेव वक्तव्यं वचने का दरिद्रता ॥
- सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार
priyavAkyapradAnena sarve tuShyanti jantavaH ।
tasmAt tadeva vaktavyam vachane kA daridratA ॥
- subhAShitaratnabhANDAgAra
Everyone becomes happier when spoken to pleasantly. So, we should always speak like that. Why be miserly when it comes to pleasant conversation?
- Subhashitaratnabhandagara
प्रियुप्राया वृत्तिः विनयमधुरो वाचि नियमः
प्रकृत्या कल्याणी मतिरनवगीतः परिचयः ।
पुरो वा पश्चाद्वा तदिदमविपर्यासितरसं
रहस्यं साधूनामनुपधि विशुद्धं विजयते ॥
- उत्तररामचरित
priyaprAyA vRuttiH vinaya madhuro vAchi niyamaH
prakRutyA kalyANI matiH anavagItaH parichayaH ।
puro vA pashcAd vA tadidam aviparyAsitarasam
rahasyam sAdhUnAm anupadhi vishuddham vijayate ॥
- uttararAmacharita
Virtuous people alway behave pleasantly. Their words are always humble and sweet. By nature they do good. Once they become friends, the friendship never wanes. Their behaviour today is as it was before (under changing circumstances). Righteousness is the secret of their good life.
- Uttararamacharita
पित्रोर्नित्यं प्रियं कुर्यादाचार्यस्य च सर्वदा ।
तेषु हि त्रिषु तुष्टेषु तपः सर्वं समाप्यते ॥
- सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार
pitrOH nityaM priyaM kuryAd AchAryasya cha sarvadaa ।
teShu hi triShu tuShTeShu tapaH sarvam samApyate ॥
- subhAShitaratnabhANDAgAra
One must try to please the parents and the teacher every day. If you can make these three are happy, you can consider all penances as complete.
- Subhashitaratnabhandagara
पाषाणाः सर्व एवैते पद्मरागेषु को गुणः ।
प्रकाशः कश्चिदत्रस्तेऽपरत्र सन विद्यते ॥
- सभारंजनशतक
pAShANAH sarva eva ete padmarAgeShu ko guNaH ।
prakAshaH kashchid atrAste aparatra sa na vidyate ॥
- sabhAranjanashataka
Ultimately all gems are stones. What is so great about rubies (padmaraaga)? Yes, these have a glitter in them that other stones don't have. It is very usual for people to generalize and lose sight of a gem among the ordinary - people, qualities etc...
- Sabharanjanashataka
कटु क्वणंतो मलदायकः खलाः
तुदंत्यलं बंधनशृंखला इव ।
मनस्तु साधुध्वनिभिः पदे पदे
हरंति संतो मणिनूपुरा इव ॥
- कादंबरी
kaTu kvaNanto maladAyakaH khalaaH
tudanti alam bandhana shRunkala iva ।
manastu sAdhu dhvanibhiH pade pade
haranti santo maNinUpurA iva ॥
- kAdambarI
Wicked people always speak harshly and dirty. Their words cause harsh noise and pain just like chains tied to your feet. On the other hand noble men are like anklets made of pearls - they make very pleasing sounds and never hurt.
- Kadambari
प्रायेण मनुजा लोके लोकतत्त्व विचक्षणाः ।
समुद्धरंति ह्यात्मानमात्मानैवाशुभाशयात् ॥
- भागवत
prAyeNa manujA loke lokatattva vichakShaNAH ।
samuddharanti hi AtmAnam AtmAnaiva ashubhAshayAt ॥
- bhAgavata
At some point, wise people of the world will understand the nature (and rules) of the world and save themselves from the misery they are in.
- Bhagavata
प्रायः सरलचित्तानां जायते विपदागमः ।
ॠजुर्याति यथा छेदं न वक्रः पादपस्तथा ॥
- यशस्तिलकचंपू
prAyaH sarala chittAnAm jAyate vipadAgamaH ।
RujuryAti yathA Chedam na vakraH pAdapaH tathA ॥
- yashastilakachampU
It is usually people who are righteous that get attract troubles. In a forest it is always the tree with a straight trunk that gets cut first (or falls first in case of wind).
- Yashastilakachampu
प्रायो दुरंतपर्यंताः संपदोऽपि दुरात्मनाम् ।
भवन्ति हि शुभोदर्का विपदोऽपि महात्मनाम् ॥
- प्रसन्नराघव
prAyo duranta paryantAH sampado api durAtmanAm ।
bhavanti hi shubhot arkA vipado api mahAtmanAm ॥
- prasannarAghava
Bad people will meet with bad ending even if they have wealth now. Good things will happen to good people. It may not be immediate, but surely in future.
- Prasannaraghava
प्रामाण्यबुद्धिः स्तोत्रेषु देवताबुद्धिरात्मनि ।
कीटबुद्धिर्मनुष्येषु नूतनायाः श्रियः फलम् ॥
- कलिविडंबन
prAmANya buddhiH stotreShu devatA buddhiH Atmani ।
kITa buddhiH manuShyeShu nUtanAyAH shriyaH phalam ॥
- kaliviDambana
Approving of praises, thinking oneself as God (in control of everything) and treating everyone else as insects - these are the effects of newly acquired wealth.
- Kalividambana
प्राणस्यान्नमिदं सर्वं प्रजापतिरकल्पयत् ।
स्थावरं जंगमं चैव सर्वं प्राणस्य भोजनम् ॥
- मनुस्मृति
prAnasya annamidam sarvam prajApatiH akalpayat ।
sthAvaram jangamam chaiva sarvaM prANasya bhojanam ॥
- manusmRiti
God created objects in this world for life to sustain by itself. He created moving objects, static objects all to satisfy the demands of 'life'.
- Manu Smriti
पातंजले विष्णुपदापगायाः
पातंजले चापि नयेऽवगाहम् ।
आचक्षते शुद्धिदमाप्रसूते -
राऽचक्षते रागमधोक्षजे च ॥
- विश्वगुणादर्श
pAtanjale viShNupada apagAyaH
pAtanjale chApi naye avagAham ।
aachakShate shuddhidamAprasUteH
achakShate rAgam adhokShaje cha ॥
- vishvaguNAdarsha
Bathing in ganga, reciting the works of Patanjali, having strong faith in God - these three things will cleanse ones speecgh (words), body and the mind - irrespective of the age (from birth to death)
- Vishvagunadarsha
सुभाषितं हारि विशत्यधो गलात्
न दुर्जनस्यार्करिपोरिवामृतम् ।
तदेव धत्ते हृदयेन सज्जनो
हरिर्महारत्नमिवातिनिर्मलम् ॥
- कादंबरी
subhAShitam hAri vishati adho galAt
na durjanasya arkaripoH ivA amRutam ।
tadeva dhatte hRudayena sajjano
hariH mahAratnam iva ati nirmalam ॥
- kAdambarI
During the mythical churning of the ocean out came elixir. But it so happened that it would not go down the throat of Rahu (the enemy of Arka - Sun). Just like that anything good like a subhashita will not go down the intellect of wicked men. On the other hand virtuous people will take it to their heart. Just like what Vishnu did with the perfect koustubha gem.
- Kadambari
प्रशमश्च क्षमा चैव आर्जवं प्रियवादिता ।
असामर्थ्यफला ह्येते निर्गुणेषु सतां गुणाः ॥
- रामायण, युद्ध
prashamashcha kShamA chaiva Arjavam priyavAditA ।
asAmarthyaphalaa hyete nirguNEShu satAm guNAH ॥
- rAmAyaNa, yuddha
Austerity, forgiveness, righteousness, pleasant talking are all considered signs of weakness by the wicked. In fact, these are all the excellent qualities of noble men.
- Ramayana, Yuddha
परोपकारशून्यस्य धिङ्मनुष्यस्य जीवितम् ।
जीवन्तु पशवो येषां चर्माप्युपक्रिष्यति ॥
- सुभाषितरत्नसमुच्चय
paropakAra shUnyasya dhik manuShyasya jIvitam ।
jIvantu pashavo yeShAm charma api upakariShyati ॥
- subhAShitaratnasamucchaya
Damned let be the person who has not helped anyone in his whole life. Let the animals live instead. They are useful even after their death because of their hide.
- Subhashitaratnasamucchaya
परोऽप्यपत्यं हितकृद् यथौषधं
स्वदेहजोऽप्यामयवत् सुतोऽहितः ।
छिंद्यात् तदंगं यदुतात्मनोऽहितं
शेषं सुखं जीवति यद्विसर्जनात् ॥
- भागवत
paro api apatyam hitakRud yathA auShadham
svadehajaH api amayavat suto ahitaH ।
chindyAt tadangam yad uta Atmano ahitam
sheSham sikham jIvati yad visarjanAt ॥
- bhAgavata
Even if he is someone else's son, if he helps you (in time) like a medicine then he is to be considered one's own. On the other hand, if your own son is causing troubles then you should cut ties with him. Just like cutting a problematic body part will relieve the rest of the body from pain - rest of the family will be relieved if you cut the ties with such a bad child.
- Bhagavata
परस्वभावकर्माणि न प्रशंसेन्न गर्हयेत् ।
विश्वमेकात्मकं पश्यन् प्रकृत्या पुरुषेण च ॥
- भागवत
para svabhAva karmANi na prashamset na garhayet ।
vishvam ekAtmaM pashyan prakRutyA puruSheNa cha ॥
- bhAgavata
When one observes other people's nature or work, he should neither praise or berate. One must always have the unified view of the world that it is made up of Prakruti and run by Purusha. Individual players have no independent role - and hence should not be accredited for the work.
- Bhagavata
प्रभूतवयसः पुंसो धियः पाकः प्रवर्तते ।
जीर्णस्य चंदनतरोरामोद उपजायते ॥
- दृष्टांतकलिका
prabhUta vayasaH pumso dhiyaH pAkaH pravartate ।
jIrNasya chandana taroH Amoda upajAyate ॥
- dRuShTAntakalikA
When a man ages, his wisdom gets ripened. An old sandalwood tree is capable of producing the good smell only when it is old.
- Drushtantakalika
