Raghuvamsam (Mahakavi Kalidasa)

Hemnah samlakshyate hyagnau vishuddhih shyaamikaapi va

The purity or otherwise of gold can be tested only when it is put through the
fire


Kriyaa hi vastoopahutaa praseedati

Knowledge imparted only to a fit recipient will yield the desired result.


Padam hi sarvatra gunairnidheeyate

Good qualities put their footprints everywhere.



Bhinnaruchirhi lokah

People have varied tastes, likes and dislikes.




Maranam prakritih shareerinaam vikritirjeevitamuchyate budhaih
Kshanamapyavatishthate shwasanyadi janturnanu laabhavaanasau

Wise men say that death is a natural thing for the embodied soul whereas life
is accidental. Even if one is able to breathe and be alive for a second, it
should be considered as a gain.




Swashareerashareerinaavapi shruta samyoga viparyayau yadaa
Virahah kimivaanutaapayedvada baahyairvishayaih vipashchitaam

When the union and separation of the body (shareera ) and the indweller of
the body (shareeree, Jiva) is common knowledge, how could the separation
(viraha) from external entities cause grief to a wise person?

Kumarasambhavam (Mahakavi Kalidasa)




Vikaarahetau sati vikriyante Yeshaam na chetaamsi ta eva dheeraah

Only he can be considered a dheera ( a person of courage) whose mind is not
disturbed or overcome by emotions even in the presence of objects of
temptation.




Praayena saamagryavidhau gunaanaam
Paraangmukhee vishwasrijah pravrittih

In most of the cases, the Creator Brahma is reluctant to assemble all the
good qualities in one place (person). (The idea is even the best of men will
have a few failings.)




Ka eepsitaartha sthiranishchayam manah
Payashcha nimnaabhimukham prateepayet

Who can reverse the course of two things, namely, the mind which is
steadfastly clinging to the desired object and water which always flows from
higher level to lower level ?



Shareeramaadyam khalu dharmasaadhanam

The human body is the first instrument for treading the path of dharma



Na ratnamanwishyati mrigyate hi tat

A valuable diamond does not seek, it is only sought after.





Alokasaamaanyam achintyahetukam
Dwishanti mandaashcharitam mahaatmanaam

Fools deride the character of great souls whose conduct and behaviour are
different from those of ordinary mortals who cannot think of possible
reasons for such difference.



Praayah pratyayamaadatte swaguneshoottamaadaarh

Respect or recognition by men of noble character instills into one a belief in
ones own good qualities.



Yaachjnaa moghaa varamadhigune naadhame labdhakaamaa

Begging of a noble person and not getting what one wants is much
betterthan begging of a mean person and getting what one wants.


Riktah sarve bhavati hi laghuh poornata gauravaaya

Empty ( of wealth, knowledge, good qualities etc) one loses dignity and
respect in society. Fullness ( of wealth, knowledge, good qualities etc.) , on
the other hand, gives one dignity and respect in society.

Aapannaartiprashamanaphalaah sampado hyuttamaanaam

Noble souls use their wealth for the purpose of wiping out the misery and
suffering of those overcome by misfortune.

Kasyaatyantam sukhamupanatam dukhamekaantato vaa
Neechairgachchhatyupari cha dashaa chakranemikramena

There is none who is always happy and comfortable and none who is always
unhappy and miserable. Happiness and sorrow alternate like the rim of a
wheel which goes up and down

Abhijnaanashaakuntalam Natakam (Mahakavi Kalidasa)

Kimivahi madhuraanaam mandanam naakriteenaam?

Which is not an adornment for a beautiful form? (Anything can add to the
beauty if one has a beautiful form)

Sataam hi sandehapadeshu vastushu
Pramaanam antahkarana pravruttayah

For people of character, when in a dilemma whether a particular conduct or
deed is good or bad, their own inner voice or conscience is the final arbiter.



Artho hi kanyaa parakeeya eva

A girl child is another mans property and she is held in trust by the parents.

Autsukyamaatramavasaayayati pratishthaa

When one gets recognition, the enthusiasm which was there while
endeavouring to get that recognition, cools down.

Anubhavati hi moordhnaa paadapasteevramushnam
Shamayati paritaapam chchhaayayaa samshritaanaam

The tree bears the intense heat on its head while it lessens the heat for those
who take shelter under it.

Bhavanti namraastarava phalodgamaih
Navaambubhirbhoomivilambino ghanaah
Anuddhataah satpurushaah samriddhibhih
Swabhaava evaisha paropakaarinaam

Trees laden with fruits bend down so that people may pluck and enjoy the
fruits. Clouds laden with water come down in the form of rain cooling the
earth and watering plants and trees. In the same way noble men do not
become conceited when fortune embraces them but use their wealth to help
others. This is the nature of persons who are always eager to be of help to
fellow humans.

Srajamapi shirasyandhah kshiptaam dhunotyahishankayaa

One who is blind throws away even a garland of flower placed on his head,
thinking it is a snake.

Vikramorvasheeyam Natakam (Mahakavi Kalidasa)

Yadevopanatam dukhaat sukham tadrasavattaram
Nirvaanaaya taruchchhaayaa taptasya hi visheshatah

The happiness one gets after a period of grief is all the more enjoyable. One
who is afflicted by the intense heat of the Sun better enjoys the shade given
by a tree than one who is not exposed to the Suns rays.

Parasparavirodhinyorekasamshrayadurlabham
Sangamam shreesaraswatyorbhooyaadudbhootaye sataam

The conflicting attributes of wealth and learning rarely co-exist in one
person. Let there be such a rare union of Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess
Saraswati for the benefit of the good people.

Sarvastaratu durgaani sarve bhadraani pashyatu
Sarvah kaamaanavaapnotu sarvah sarvatra nandatu

May all cross their difficulties. May all see good and auspicious things. May
all get their wishes fulfilled. May everyone everywhere be happy.




Chchhinnabandhe matsye palaayite nirvinno
Dheevaro bhanati dharmo me bhavati

When the fishing net was torn and fish leaped into the water the fisherman
becomes dejected and consoles himself saying
that he will get merit (punya) (for allowing the fish to escape).

Sarvatra khalwaatmaanumaanena vartitum yuktam

It is best for every one to act in accordance with ones status everywhere.


Malavikaagnimitram Natakam(Mahakavi Kalidasa)

Puraanamityeva na saadhu sarvam
Na chaapi kaavyam navamityavadyam
Santah pareekshyaanyatarat bhajante
Moodhah parapratyayaneya buddhih

All kavyaas are not good only because they are old. All kaavyas are not bad
because they are new. Good and wise people examine both and decide
whether a kaavya is good or bad. Only a fool will be blindly led by what
others say.

Artham sapratibandham prabhuradhigantum sahaayavaaneva
Drishyam tamasi na pashyanti deepena vinaa sachakshurapi

Only one who has some one to help will be able to get hold of an object or
achieve a goal when there are impediments or obstructions in the process.
Even a person with eyes will be able to see an object in darkness only with
the help of a lamp.




Mandopyamandataameti samsargena vipashchitah
Pankachchhidah phalasyeva nikashenaavilam payah

Even a fool becomes clever by association with the wise just as even muddy
water becomes clear when it comes into contact with the fruits of
thenirmalee tree (i.e. when the fruits are put in the water).


Kiraataarjuneeyam (Mahakavi Bharavi)

Nahi priyam vaktumichchhanti mrishaa hitaishinah

Those who mean well for others do not want to please them by false praise.

Nanu vaktrivishesha ni:sprihaa gunagrihyaa vachane vipashchitah

The wise are indifferent as to who uttered the words, they judge the words
by their inherent quality

Nivasanti paraakramaashrayaa na vishaadena samam samriddhayah

Abundance (affluence) co-exists with valour not with melancholy or absence
of enthusiasm

Sahasaa vidadheeta na kriyaamavivekah paramaapadaam padam
Vrinute hi vimrishyakaarinam gunalubdhaah swayameva sampadah

Do not embark on an endeavour on the spur of the moment without
analysing its pros and cons. The absence of discrimination is the cause of
great misfortune. Fortune, ever greedy for good qualities in men, embraces
those who engage themselves in an endeavour after consultations and
discussions with men of knowledge.

Sprihaneeya gunairmahaatmabhih charite vartmani yachchhataam manah
Vidhiheturaheturaagasaam vinipaatopi samunnateh samah

For those who follow in the footsteps of great men possessing highly
desirable qualities, even a downfall on account of fate and not involving
wrong doings is equal to rising higher in status.

Yashodhigantum sukhalipsayaa vaa manushyasamkhyaamativartitum vaa
Nirutsukaanaamabhiyogabhaajaam samutsukevaankamupaiti siddhih

Achievement, it seems, is enthusiastic to sit on the lap of those who engage
themselves diligently in an endeavour without caring for fame, happiness or
rise in popularity.



Kimivaavasaadakara aatmavataam

There is nothing which will tire out or disturb the mind of high-minded
persons.


Prema pashyati bhayaanapadepi.

Love sees cause for fear even in the most unlikely places




Upanatamavadheerayantyabhavyaah

Unlucky persons disregard ( do not care about) what is already at hand

Sharadambudharachchhaayaa jatwaryo yauvanashriyah
Aapaataramyaah vishayaah paryanta paritaapinah

Youth is fleeting like the clouds of autumn. The pleasures of the senses are
sweet in the beginning but yield bitter results in the end.

Tadaa ramyaanyaramyaani priyah shalyam tadaasavah
Tadekaakee sabandhuh sannishtena rahito yadaa

when ones loved one is absent, beautiful things seem ugly, what one likes
including ones own life becomes a pain, one feels lonely even in the midst of
ones relatives.

Jeeyantaam durjayaa dehe ripavashchakshuraadayah
Jiteshu nanu lokoyam teshu kritsnastwayaa jitah

The enemies resident in the body, namely the sense organs like the eyes,
which are difficult to control, should be conquered. Once they are
conquered, it is as good as the whole world has been conquered by you.

Taavadaashreeyate lakshmyaa taavadasya sthiram yashah
Purushastaavadevaasau yaavanmaanaanna heeyate

One can accumulate wealth, ones fame remains stable and one is
considered a man of substance only so long as one commands the respect of
society.

Prakrityamitraa hi sataamasaadhavah

Evil men are natural enemies of the good ones.


Shishupaalavadham (Maagha kavi)

Maheeyamsah prakrityaa mitabhaashinah

Great men, by nature, do not talk much (they limit their speech to the
essentials only)

Sampadaa susthirammanyo bhavati swalpayaapi yah
Kritakrityo vidhirmanye na vardhayati tasya taam

In the case of one who is satisfied with a little wealth, even Fate (vidhih)
thinks it has done its job and does not increase his wealth. (One should have
enough ambition if he wants to accumulate lot of wealth and should not be
content with what he has)



Maa jeevan yah paraavajnaadukhadagdhopi jeevati
One who lives, even after one has been scorched by the humiliation showered on him by
others, is as good as dead.

Saamaanyaadhikaranam hi tejastimirayo kutah?

Where is comparison between light and darkness ? There is no comparison at
all.

Aarabhantelpamevaajjnaah kaamam vyagraa bhavanti cha
Mahaarambhaah kritadhiyastishthanti cha niraakulaah

Fools start an undertaking in a small way and they struggle to complete it.
Great men start in a big way and accomplish the task remaining unruffled in
spite of its magnitude.


Upaayamaasthitasyaapi nashyantyarthaah pramaadatah

The undertakings of those who are careless and negligent never bear fruit
though they have used proper means.



Ayathaabalamaarambho nidaanam kshayasampadah

Embarking on something which is beyond ones capacity or strength is one of
the causes for diminution in ones wealth

Brihatsahaayah kaaryaantam kshodeeyanapi gachchhati

Even small people can get their work done with the help of the big people

Kshane Kshane yannavataamupaiti tadeva roopam ramaneeyataayaah

Beauty is that which takes on a new form every minute (so that the one who
looks at it is never tired or bored)

Naishadheeya Charitam (Sri Harsha)

Apaam hi triptaaya na vaaridhaara swaaduh sugandhih swadate tushaaraa

One who is satiated with water will not appreciate a pouring of cool water
sweet in taste and smell.

Pittena doone rasane sitaapi tiktaayate

When the tongue is corrupted by pitta, even sugar tastes bitter.

Aarjavam hi kutileshu na neetih

Straightforwardness is not the right policy when people of crooked mind are
concerned.



Mitam cha saaram cha vacho hi vaagmitaa

Oratory is speech which is measured (not verbose) and at the same time
pregnant with meaning.

Mrichchhakatikam (Raja Sudraka)

Shoonyamaputrasya griham chirashoonyam naasti yasya sanmitram
Moorkhasya dishaah shoonyaah sarvam shoonyam daridrasya

The house of a childless person is shoonya (void), for a person without a
good friend it is forever void, the four quarters are void for the fool and for
the poor everything is shoonya (void).

Sukham hi dukhaananubhooya shobhate ghanaandhakaareshwiwa
deepadarshnam

Happiness is more appreciated after one experiences grief over a period in
the same way as light is more appreciated by a person in pitch darkness.

Sukhaattu yo yaati naro daridrataam Dhritah shareerena mritah sa jeevati

One who has enjoyed prosperity is suddenly reduced to penury is as good as
dead even while living.

Daaridryaanmaranaadwaa maranam mama rochate na daaridryam
Alpaklesham maranam daaridryamanantakam dukham

If I have to choose between death and penury I will choose death not
penury. Death involves only a little distress but penury brings unending
physical and mental agony.

Daaridryaatpurushasya baandhavajano vaakye na santishthate
Susnigdhaah vimukheebhavanti suhridah sphaareebhavantyaapadah
Sattwam hraasamupaiti sheelashashinah kaantih parimlaayate
Paapam karma cha yatparairapi kritam tattasya sambhaavyate

If one is poor, his relatives dont heed his words, even loving friends neglect
him, his misfortunes spread out, his physical and mental strength shrinks,
the moon of his good conduct becomes pale and even the wrongs committed
by others are foisted on to him.

Gunaah khalu anuraagasya kaaranam na balaatkarah

It is because of ones qualities one is loved not because of force.



Saahase shree prativasati

In adventure resides Goddess Lakshmi (Only those who are adventurous can
amass wealth)

Uttararaamacharitam (Bhavabhuti)

Sataam sadbhih sangah kathamapi hi punyena bhavati

The meeting of good people with good people somehow happens only
bypunya (fruit of meritorious deeds done in the past)

Priyapraayaa vrittih vinayamadhuro vaachi niyamah
Prakrityaa kalyaanee matiranavageetah parichayah
Puro vaa pashchaadwaa tadidamaviparyaasita rasam
Rahasyam saadhoonaamanupadhi vishuddham vijayate


Loving, polite and pleasing interaction with others, controlled speech, a
heart which only thinks of the good of others, introduction which is not
boastful, Uniform behaviour before and after (when face to face or behand
the back) These are the secrets, pure and simple, of saintly souls.

Vajraadapi kathhoraani mridooni kusumaadapi
Lokottaraanaam chetaamsi ko nu vijnaatumarhati.

The hearts of the best of men who are a cut above the ordinary people are
harder than diamond (when facing obstacles or enemies ) and softer than
flowers (towards the less privileged and the miserable). Who can
understand the hearts of such men?

Na kinchidapi kurvaanah saukhyairdukhaanyapohati
Tattasya kimapi dravyam yo hi yasya priyo janah

Without doing anything, if one converts the sorrows of another person into
joy and happiness, then the first one, who is the object of love for the
second one, is a valuable thing for the latter.



Antahkaranatattwasya dampatyoh snehasamshrayaat
Aanandagranthirekoyam apatyamiti badhyate

The concrete manifestation of the joy arising out of the union of the minds of
the husband and the wife is called apatyam (progeny) on which converges
the love of both of them.

Eko rasah karuna eva nimittabhedaa-
dbhinnah pruthakprithagivaashrayate vivartaan
Aavarta budbuda taranga mayaan vikaaraan
Ambho yathaa salilameva tu tatsamastam

Karuna(pathetic) rasa (emotion) is the only one which manifests in the form
of other emotions like sringara (love) etc. depending on the underlying
circumstances which give rise to the emotion in the same way as bubbles,
waves, swell etc are only different forms that water takes. The basic
substance is water only.

Gunaah poojaasthaanam
Gunishu n cha lingam na cha vayah

Good qualities are appreciated in whomsoever they are found. The sex or the
age of the person is not taken into consideration.

Rishayo raakshaseemaahurvaachamunmattadriptayoh

Saa yonih sarva vairaanaam saa hi lokasya nirritih

The speech of intoxicated and conceited persons is termed
as raakshasee(demoniac) by the rishis. Such speech is the root cause of all
enmities and that is hell in this world.

Kaamam dugdhe viprakarshatyalakshmeem
Keertim soote dushkritam yaa hinasti
Taam chaapyetaam maataram mangalaanaam
Dhenum dheeraah soonritaam vaachamaahuh

Speech that is embellished by truth and love yields all ones wishes, drives
away poverty, builds a reputation, prevents wrong doings in the same way as
the Cow Mother which yields all auspicious things.

Vyatishajati padaarthaanaantarah kopi hetu-
rna khalu bahirupaadheeen preetayah samshrayante
Vikasati hi patangasyodaye pundareekam
Dravati cha himarashmavudgate chandrakaantah

It is some internal cause which brings together people. Love does not
depend upon external attributes. The lotus blossoms when the sun rises
(though the lotus is delicate and the suns rays are hot), the moon stone
starts melting when exposed to moonlight (though moonlight is soft and the
moon stone is hard).

Priyaanaashe kritsnam kila jagadaranyam hi bhavati

When the woman one loves is lost the whole world turns into a dense jungle
for the one who loves.



Snehachcha nimittasavyapekshashcheti vipratishiddhametat

Love and existence of a cause for such love, these two are mutually
contradictory

Mudraaraakshasam Nataka (Vishakhadatta)

Na yuktam praakritamapi ripumavajnaatum

It is not proper to disregard or neglect even an ordinary enemy.

Keedrishastrinaanaam agninaa saha virodhah?

What kind of enmity the grass has towards fire ? (there is no enmity, it is
the nature of fire to burn anything whatsoever)



Himavati divyaushadhayah sheershe sarpah samaavishtah

There are divine medicinal plants in the Himalayas. But on top of it are
serpents

Paraayattah preeteh kathamiva rasam vetti purushah?

How does a man who is under the control of another know the joy of love.

Iha virachayan saadhweem shishyah kriyaam na nivaaryate
Tyajati tu yadaa maargam mohaattadaa gururankushah

Here the disciple is not prevented from doing anything good. But when he deviates
from the right path guru will act as ankusha (weapon used to control an elephant),
meaning he will be controlled and brought back to the correct path.

Dashakumaaracharitam (Dandi)

Jalabudbudasamaanaa viraajamaanaa sampat tadillekheva sahasodeti
nashyati cha

The glittering wealth is like the bubbles on water. Like lightning it rises
suddenly and perishes with the same speed.



Iha jagati hi na nireehadehinam shriyah samshrayante


In this world one who does not put in effort (i.e. one who is inactive) does
not acquire wealth



Shreyaamsi cha sakalaanyanalasaanaam haste nityasaannidhyaani

All prosperity and welfare is always in the hands of those who are always
active, who do not know laziness

Harshacharitam (Bana)



Atiroshanashchakshushmaanapyandha eva janah

The angry person, though possessing eyes, is blind.



Na santyeva te yeshaam sataamapi sataam na vidyante
mitrodaaseenashatravah

There are no such persons who do not have friends, enemies or neutrals even
though such persons possess good qualities.

Upayogam tu na preetirvichaarayati

Love does not consider use or benefit.

Kaadambari (Baana)

Sarvathaa na kanchana na sprishati shareeradharmaanamupataapaah

It is not possible that one, who is subject to the vagaries of a body, will not
ever suffer any disease or discomfort

Sukhamupadishyate parasya

It is easy to preach to others

Bahubhashino na shraddadhaati lokah

People do not listen to one who talks too much.

Mithyaapi tattathaa yathaa griheeetam lokena

Untruth takes the same form as the one given to it by people.

Kaavyameemaamsaa (Kaviraja Rajashekharah)

Praayah praanabhritaam premaanamantarena naanyadbandhanamasti

Generally, for the living, there is no bondage except love.

Pakshapaato hi gunadoshau viparyaasayati

It is only partiality that interchanges good and bad (i.e. good is considered
as bad and bad is considered as good)

Paraishcha pareekshayet. Yadudaaseenah pashyati na tadanushthaateti
praayo vaadah

The plan should be got examined by outsiders. The argument is, what the
neutral person sees, the one who executes may not see most of the time.

Aniyatakaalaah pravrittayo viplavante

Actions not done at the appropriate time do not yield the desired result

Samyakswaapo vapushah paramaarogyaaya

The right kind of sleep is good for a very healthy body.


Matidarpane kaveenaam vishwam pratiphalati

In the mirror of the poets mind there is the reflection of the world.

Kathaasaritsaagaram (Somadeva)


Apraapyam naama nehaasti dheerasya vyavasaayinah

There is nothing unattainable to the one who has courage and who works
hard.

Ashnute sa hi kalyaanam vyasane yo na muhyati

Only one who does not lose his cool in adversity will enjoy prosperity


Ekachitte dwayoreva kimasaadhyam bhavediti

When two people think alike then what is it that is impossible?


Karunaardraa hi sarvasya santokaaranabaandhavaah

Good people whose heart is full of sympathy and kindness become, without
selfish motives, the friends or relatives of all.

Kaamam vyasana vrikshasya moolam durjana sangatih

The root cause of sorrow is the company of bad people.

Tyajantyuttamasatwaa hi praanaanapi na satpatham

Those of good nature may give up their life but not the righteous path.

Panko hi nabhasi kshiptah ksheptuh patati moordhani

Mud, thrown at the sky, falls on the head of the person who throws it (If one
does something bad it recoils on him)


Panchatantra (Vishnu Sharma)

Na swalpasya krite bhoori naashayenmatimaannarah

The wise man should not incur a big loss for the sake of a little gain.

Praakaashyam swagunodayena gunino gachchhanti kim janmanaa

Good people are noticed by their good qualities, not by birth.

Paishunyaadbhidyate snehah

Love and friendship are broken by backbiting.

Yasya buddhirbalam tasya nirbuddhestu kuto balam?

He who has brains has strength (power), where is power in a fool?



Sevaadharmah parama gahano yoginaamapyagamyah

To be in the service of another is a difficult job which even a yogi may not be
able to fulfill.

Mridunaa salilena khanyamaanaanyavaghrishyanti girerapi sthalani

Eroded by the soft water incessantly, even the hard stones of the mountain
wear away over time.

Deergho buddhimato baahoo

The hands of the one with brains are long indeed. ( Using his brains he can
do many things with hands which less brainy fellows cannot do)



Yadbhavishyo vinashyati

One will face adversity if one does not take precautions to counteract
anticipated difficulties or problems

Bahoonaamapyasaaraanaam samavayoo hi durjayah.

If a large number of people unite for a purpose they become invincible, though each
one, by himself is weak.


Atyaadarah shankaneeyah

One should be circumspect with regard to those who show more than the
usual respect or regard.


Sampattau cha vipattau cha mahataamekaroopataa

In prosperity and adversity the great do not lose their equilibrium.




Kah parah priyavaadinaam?

Who is not ones own for people of soft and soothing speech.



Nakrah swasthaanamaasaadya gajendramapi karshati

The crocodile, in his own habitat, can drag even an elephant into the water.

Krishe kasyaasti sauhridam?

Who will make friends with a lean (down and out) person?

Aaatmanah pratikoolaani pareshaam na samaacharet

That which is hurting oneself should not be done to others.

Anaagatam yah kurute sa shobhate,
Sa shochyate yo na karotyanaagatam.

One who takes precautions before misfortune strikes will prosper. One who does not
take action when misfortune is anticipated, will come to grief.

Santapayanti kamapathyabhujam na rogaah

How can one be unaffected by diseases if one eats food not conducive to
ones health ?

Sarvanaashe samutpanne ardham tyajati panditah

When everything is at stake the wise give up half of it to save the other half.

Udaaracharitaanaam tu vasudhaiva kutumbakam

To those of generous character( disposition) the whole world is one family.


Yadrishee bhaavanaa yasya siddhirbhavati taadrishee

Whatever one dreams or imagines the outcome will be similar.


Hitopadesha (Narayana Panditah)


Udyamena hi siddhyanti kaaryaani na manorathaih

Ones goal is achieved by industry (hard work) and not by building castles in
the air.



Jnaanam bhaarah kriyaam vinaa

Without action knowledge is a burden (knowledge, not put into practice, is
sheer waste)