Subhashitams from Subhashita Ratna Bhandagara
This source contributes 31 subhashitams across 6 themes.
Latest update: Oct 5, 2026
Related guides and shloka selections
शुचित्वं त्यागिता शौर्यं सामान्यं सुखदुःखयोः। दाक्षिण्यं चानुरक्तिश्च सत्यता च सुहृद्गुणाः॥
śucitvaṃ tyāgitā śauryaṃ sāmānyaṃ sukhaduḥkhayoḥ । dākṣiṇyaṃ cānuraktiśca satyatā ca suhṛdguṇāḥ ॥
Purity, generosity, courage, steadiness in joy and sorrow, courtesy, affection, and truthfulness are the qualities of a true friend.
उद्यमः साहसं धैर्यं बुद्धिः शक्तिः पराक्रमः। षडेते यत्र वर्तन्ते तत्र दैवं सहायकृत्॥
udyamaḥ sāhasaṃ dhairyaṃ buddhiḥ śaktiḥ parākramaḥ । ṣaḍete yatra vartante tatra daivaṃ sahāyakṛt ॥
Effort, courage, patience, intelligence, strength, and valor prepare a person to receive the help of providence.
स्वाधीनैव समृद्धिर्जनोपजीव्यत्वमुच्छ्रयश्छाया। सत्पुंसो मरुभूरिव जीवनमात्रं समाशास्यम्॥
svādhīnaiva samṛddhir janopajīvyatvam ucchrayaś chāyā । satpuṃso marubhūr iva jīvanamātraṁ samāśāsyam ॥
For a good person, as for a tree standing in the desert, self-reliant abundance, support for others, height and shade come naturally, so only that life itself need be wished for.
पात्रविशेषे न्यस्तं गुणान्तरं व्रजति शिल्पमाधातुः। जलमिव समुद्रशुक्तौ मुक्ताफलतां पयोदस्य॥
pātraviśeṣe nyastaṃ guṇāntaraṃ vrajati śilpam ādhātuḥ । jalam iva samudraśuktau muktāphalatāṃ payodasya ॥
Kalidasa's verse compares skill nurtured in a worthy recipient to rainwater becoming a pearl within an oyster shell.
अभयस्यैव यो दाता तस्यैव सुमहत्फलम् । न हि प्राणसमं दानं त्रिषु लोकेषु विद्यते ॥
abhayasyaiva yo dātā tasyaiva sumahatphalam । na hi prāṇasamaṃ dānaṃ triṣu lokeṣu vidyate ॥
A Mahabharata verse praises the giver of fearlessness and declares that no gift in the three worlds equals the gift of life.
यस्य कृत्यं न जानन्ति मन्त्रं वा मन्त्रितं परे। कृतमेवास्य जानन्ति स वै पण्डित उच्यते॥
yasya kṛtyaṃ na jānanti mantraṃ vā mantritaṃ pare । kṛtam evāsya jānanti sa vai paṇḍita ucyate ॥
A Mahabharata verse calls one wise whose deliberations remain unknown to others until the intended work has been accomplished.
चक्षुषा मनसा वाचा कर्मणा च चतुर्विधम्। प्रसादयति यो लोकं तं लोकोऽनुप्रसीदति॥
cakṣuṣā manasā vācā karmaṇā ca caturvidham । prasādayati yo lokaṁ taṁ loko'nuprasīdati ॥
Vidura Niti teaches that one who wins people’s goodwill through sight, thought, speech and action receives their goodwill in return.
किं चन्द्रमाः प्रत्युपकारलिप्सया करोति गोभिः कुमुदावबोधनम्। स्वभाव एवोन्नतचेतसां सतां परोपकारव्यसनं हि जीवितम्॥
kiṃ candramāḥ pratyupakāralipsayā karoti gobhiḥ kumudāvabodhanam । svabhāva evonnatacetasāṃ satāṃ paropakāravyasanaṃ hi jīvitam ॥
The moon awakens the water-lily without seeking return; so, for noble people, working for others is a natural way of life.
आत्मोदयः परज्यानिर्द्वयं नीतिरितीयती। तदूरीकृत्य कृतिभिर्वाचस्पत्यं प्रतायते॥
ātmodayaḥ parajānir dvayaṁ nītir itīyatī । tadūrīkṛtya kṛtibhir vācaspatyaṁ pratāyate ॥
Magha's Shishupalavadha defines statecraft through two aims: one’s own advancement and the adversary’s decline.
त्याज्यं न धैर्यं विधुरेऽपि दैवे धैर्यात्कदाचित्स्थितिमाप्नुयात्सः। याते समुद्रेऽपि च पोतभङ्गे सांयात्रिको वाञ्छति कर्म एव॥
tyājyaṁ na dhairyaṁ vidhure'pi daive dhairyāt kadācit sthitim āpnuyāt saḥ । yāte samudre'pi ca potabhaṅge sāṁyātriko vāñchati karma eva ॥
Even when fortune turns adverse, patience and continued action can restore one's position, just as a shipwrecked voyager still strives at sea.
चलन्ति गिरयः कामं युगान्तपवनाहताः। कृच्छ्रेऽपि न चलत्येव धीराणां निश्चलं मनः॥
calanti girayaḥ kāmaṃ yugāntapavanāhatāḥ । kṛcchre'pi na calatyeva dhīrāṇāṃ niścalaṃ manaḥ ॥
A verse on steadfastness, comparing mountains shaken by cosmic winds with the unwavering mind of the patient and brave.
भवन्ति नम्रास्तरवः फलोद्गमैर्नवाम्बुभिर्दूरविलम्बिनो घनाः। अनुद्धताः सत्पुरुषाः समृद्धिभिः स्वभाव एवैष परोपकारिणाम्॥
bhavanti namrāstaravaḥ phalodgamair navāmbubhir dūravilambino ghanāḥ । anuddhatāḥ satpuruṣāḥ samṛddhibhiḥ svabhāva evaiṣa paropakāriṇām ॥
A Nitishatakam verse comparing fruit-laden trees and rain-filled clouds to noble people who become humbler in prosperity.
जयन्ति ते सुकृतिनो रससिद्धाः कवीश्वराः। नास्ति येषां यशःकाये जरामरणजं भयम्॥
jayanti te sukṛtino rasasiddhāḥ kavīśvarāḥ । nāsti yeṣāṃ yaśaḥkāye jarāmaraṇajaṃ bhayam ॥
A verse from Bhartrhari's Nitishatakam on master poets whose body of fame is untouched by old age and death.
सत्यानुसारिणी लक्ष्मीः कीर्तिस्त्यागानुसारिणी। अभ्याससारिणी विद्या बुद्धिः कर्मानुसारिणी॥
satyānusāriṇī lakṣmīḥ kīrtis tyāgānusāriṇī । abhyāsasāriṇī vidyā buddhiḥ karmānusāriṇī ॥
A Sanskrit subhashita linking wealth with truthfulness, fame with generosity, knowledge with practice, and intellect with action.
सहसा विदधीत न क्रियामविवेकः परमापदां पदम्। वृणते हि विमृश्यकारिणं गुणलुब्धाः स्वयमेव सम्पदः॥
sahasā vidadhīta na kriyām avivekaḥ paramāpadāṃ padam । vṛṇate hi vimṛśyakāriṇaṃ guṇalubdhāḥ svayameva sampadaḥ ॥
A verse from Bharavi's Kiratarjuniya on avoiding rash action and choosing thoughtful decisions that attract success and prosperity.
पिण्डे पिण्डे मतिर्भिन्ना कुण्डे कुण्डे नवं पयः। जातौ जातौ नवाचाराः नवा वाणी मुखे मुखे॥
piṇḍe piṇḍe matir bhinnā kuṇḍe kuṇḍe navaṃ payaḥ । jātau jātau navācārāḥ navā vāṇī mukhe mukhe ॥
A Sanskrit proverb on the distinct character of every mind, community, custom, and voice within a diverse society.
सदानुरक्तप्रकृतिः प्रजापालनतत्परः। विनीतात्मा हि नृपतिर्भूयसी श्रियमश्नुते॥
sadānuraktaprakṛtiḥ prajāpālanatatparaḥ । vinītātmā hi nṛpatir bhūyasī śriyam aśnute ॥
A subhashita on public leadership, humility, and the prosperity earned by a ruler devoted to the welfare and protection of the people.
धूमायन्ते व्यपेतानि ज्वलन्ति सहितानि च। धृतराष्ट्रोल्मुकानीव ज्ञातयो भरतर्षभ॥
dhūmāyante vyapetāni jvalanti sahitāni ca । dhṛtarāṣṭrolmukānīva jñātayo bharatarṣabha ॥
Vidura Niti uses the image of scattered and united firebrands to show how collective strength turns latent energy into visible power.
अनन्तोद्भूतभूतौघसङ्कुले भूतलेऽखिले। शस्त्रे शास्त्रे त्रिचतुराश्चतुरा यदि मादृशाः॥
anantodbhūtabhūtaughasaṅkule bhūtale'khile । śastre śāstre tricaturāś caturā yadi mādṛśāḥ ॥
A verse praising the rare personality accomplished in both śastra, arms and valor, and śāstra, knowledge and disciplined thought.
जलबिन्दुनिपातेन क्रमशः पूर्यते घटः। स हेतुः सर्वविद्यानां धर्मस्य च धनस्य च॥
jalabindunipātena kramaśaḥ pūryate ghaṭaḥ । sa hetuḥ sarvavidyānāṁ dharmasya ca dhanasya ca ॥
A classic nīti verse on steady accumulation: small, regular efforts gradually build knowledge, dharma, and prosperity just as a pot fills one drop at a time.
अद्रोहः सर्वभूतेषु कर्मणा मनसा गिरा। अनुग्रहश्च दानं च शीलमेतत्प्रशस्यते॥
adrohaḥ sarvabhūteṣu karmaṇā manasā girā । anugrahaśca dānaṁ ca śīlametatpraśasyate ॥
A guiding principle on true humanity and ethical conduct, emphasizing non-malice, compassion, and generosity towards all living beings.
को हि भारः समर्थानां किं दूरं व्यवसायिनाम्। को विदेशः सुविद्यानां कः परः प्रियवादिनाम्॥
ko hi bhāraḥ samarthānāṁ kiṁ dūraṁ vyavasāyinām । ko videśaḥ suvidyānāṁ kaḥ paraḥ priyavādinām ॥
A timeless verse highlighting how skill, hard work, education, and soft speech dissolve all barriers to success and belonging.
छायामन्यस्य कुर्वन्ति तिष्ठन्ति स्वयमातपे। फलान्यपि परार्थाय वृक्षाः सत्पुरुषा इव॥
chāyāmanyasya kurvanti tiṣṭhanti svayamātape । phalānyapi parārthāya vṛkṣāḥ satpuruṣā iva ॥
A verse comparing generous trees with noble people, highlighting selfless service and concern for others.
अयं निजः परो वेति गणना लघुचेतसाम्। उदारचरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम्॥
ayaṁ nijaḥ paro veti gaṇanā laghucetasām । udāracaritānāṁ tu vasudhaiva kuṭumbakam ॥
Small minds divide people into their own and others, while the generous-hearted regard the whole world as one family.
श्रियः प्रदुग्धे विपदो रुणद्धि यशांसि सूते मलिनं प्रमार्ष्टि। संस्कारशौचेन परं पुनीते शुद्धा हि बुद्धिः किल कामधेनुः॥
śriyaḥ pradugdhe vipado ruṇaddhi yaśāṃsi sūte malinaṃ pramārṣṭi । saṃskāraśauchena paraṃ punīte śuddhā hi buddhiḥ kila kāmadhenuḥ ॥
This subhashita extols the power of a refined and pure intellect, comparing it to the mythical Kamadhenu that fulfills all desires and destroys all difficulties.
पिबन्ति नद्यः स्वयमेव नाम्भः स्वयं न खादन्ति फलानि वृक्षाः। नादन्ति सस्यं खलु वारिवाहाः परोपकाराय सतां विभूतयः॥
pibanti nadyaḥ svayameva nāmbhaḥ svayaṃ na khādanti phalāni vṛkṣāḥ । nādanti sasyaṃ khalu vārivāhāḥ paropakārāya satāṃ vibhūtayaḥ ॥
A beautiful subhashita illustrating the essence of selfless living through nature: rivers, trees, and clouds exist for the welfare of others.
श्रीर्मङ्गलात् प्रभवति प्रागल्भ्यात् सम्प्रवर्धते। दाक्ष्यात् तु कुरुते मूलं संयमात् प्रतितिष्ठति॥
śrīrmaṅgalāt prabhavati prāgalbhyāt sampravardhate । dākṣyāt tu kurute mūlaṃ saṃyamāt pratitiṣṭhati ॥
A deep insight from Vidura Niti on how wealth and prosperity are born, grown, rooted, and established through virtue and discipline.
नाम्भोधिरर्थितामेति सदाम्भोभिश्च पूर्यते। आत्मा तु पात्रतां नेयः पात्रमायान्ति सम्पदः॥
nāmbhodhir arthitām eti sadāmbhobhiśca pūryate । ātmā tu pātratāṁ neyaḥ pātramāyānti sampadaḥ ॥
This profound verse teaches that true prosperity is drawn to internal capability and merit, rather than external seeking.
नात्युच्चशिखरो मेरुर्नातिनीचं रसातलम्। व्यवसायद्वितीयानां नात्यपारो महोदधिः॥
na aty ucca śikharaḥ meru na atīnīcaṁ rasātalam । vyavasāya-dvitīyānāṁ na aty-apāro mahodadhiḥ ॥
For a determined person, no summit is too high, no ocean too vast, and no undertaking beyond the reach of sustained effort.
धर्मो यशो नयो दाक्ष्यम् मनोहारि सुभाषितम्। इत्यादिगुणरत्नानां संग्रहीनावसीदति॥
dharmaḥ yaśo nayaḥ dākṣyam manohāri subhāṣitam । ityādi guṇaratnānāṁ saṅgrahīnāvasīdati ॥
Dharma, good repute, sound judgment, competence, and gracious speech together form a character capable of meeting adversity without despair.
अल्पानामपि वस्तूनां संहतिः कार्यसाधिका। तृणैर्गुणत्वमापन्नैर्बध्यन्ते मत्तदन्तिनः॥
alpanām api vastūnāṁ saṃhatiḥ kārya-sādhikā । tṛṇair guṇatvam āpannair badhyante mattadantinaḥ ॥
Small and fragile things, when carefully joined, can accomplish great work—just as a rope of grass can restrain an elephant.