Subhashitams on Humility
This theme brings together 10 subhashitams from 6 sources.
Latest update: Oct 9, 2026
वत्सराजोऽपि तं प्राप्तं प्रदत्तोपायनं नृपम्। प्रीत्या सम्मानयामास शूरा हि प्रणतिप्रियाः॥
vatsarājo 'pi taṃ prāptaṃ pradattopāyanaṃ nṛpam । prītyā sammānayāmāsa śūrā hi praṇatipriyāḥ ॥
Vatsaraja honours a king who comes with gifts, illustrating the brave person's regard for respectful homage.
अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च। निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः समदुःखसुखः क्षमी॥
adveṣṭā sarvabhūtānāṃ maitraḥ karuṇa eva ca । nirmamo nirahaṅkāraḥ samaduḥkhasukhaḥ kṣamī ॥
The Bhagavad Gita describes a character free from hatred and ego, friendly to all beings and steady in joy and sorrow.
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.
वाग्बुद्धिचित्तकरणैश्च तपोभिरुग्रैः शक्यं समाकलयितुं न यदीयरूपम्। तं भक्तिभावसुलभं शरणं नतानां नित्यं भजाम्यमरनाथमहं दयालुम्॥
vāgbuddhicittakaraṇaiś ca tapobhir ugraiḥ śakyaṃ samākalayituṃ na yadīyarūpam । taṃ bhaktibhāvasulabhaṃ śaraṇaṃ natānāṃ nityaṃ bhajāmy amaranātham ahaṃ dayālum ॥
A devotional verse to Lord Amarnath, who is beyond speech, intellect, mind, senses, and austerity, yet easily reached through devotion.
तेजः क्षमा धृतिः शौचमद्रोहो नातिमानिता। भवन्ति सम्पदं दैवीमभिजातस्य भारत॥
tejaḥ kṣamā dhṛtiḥ śaucam adroho nātimānitā । bhavanti sampadaṃ daivīm abhijātasya bhārata ॥
A Bhagavad Gita verse describing the six divine qualities of radiance, forgiveness, fortitude, purity, absence of malice, and humility.
मनोजवं मारुततुल्यवेगं जितेन्द्रियं बुद्धिमतां वरिष्ठम्। वातात्मजं वानरयूथमुख्यं श्रीरामदूतं शिरसा नमामि॥
manojavaṁ mārutatulyavegaṁ jitendriyaṁ buddhimatāṁ variṣṭham । vātātmajaṁ vānarayūthamukhyaṁ śrīrāmadūtaṁ śirasā namāmi ॥
A powerful prayer to Hanuman, the messenger of Lord Rama, praising his speed, wisdom, and mastery over senses.
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.
दाने तपसि शौर्ये च विज्ञाने विनये नये। विस्मयो न हि कर्तव्यो बहुरत्ना वसुन्धरा॥
dāne tapasi śaurye ca vijñāne vinaye naye । vismayo na hi kartavyo bahuratnā vasundharā ॥
The world is vast enough that no one should boast of unmatched generosity, austerity, courage, learning, humility, or moral excellence.
सुवर्ण-रौप्य-माणिक्य-वसनैरपि पूरिताः। तथापि प्रार्थयन्त्येव कृषकान् भक्ततृष्णया॥
suvarṇa-raupya-māṇikya-vasanair api pūritāḥ । tathāpi prārthayanti eva kṛṣakān bhaktatṛṣṇayā ॥
Gold, silver, jewels, and fine clothes cannot replace food; even the wealthy ultimately depend on the farmer for sustenance.
न मर्षयन्ति चात्मानं सम्भावयितुमात्मना। अदर्शयित्वा शूरास्तु कर्म कुर्वन्ति दुष्करम्॥
na marśayanti cātmānaṁ sambhāvayitum ātmana । adarśayitvā śūrāstu karma kurvanti duṣkaraṁ ॥
True heroes do not proclaim their own greatness; they allow demanding deeds and quiet courage to reveal their worth.