Subhashitams on Perseverance
This theme brings together 48 subhashitams from 6 sources.
Latest update: Oct 1, 2026
रत्नैर्महाब्धेस्तुतुषुर्न देवा न भेजिरे भीमविषेण भीतिम्। सुधां विना न प्रययुर्विरामं न निश्चितार्थाद्विरमन्ति धीराः॥
ratnair mahābdhes tutuṣur na devā na bhejire bhīmaviṣeṇa bhītim । sudhāṃ vinā na prayayur virāmaṃ na niścitārthād viramanti dhīrāḥ ॥
Bhartrhari recalls the churning of the ocean to show that resolute people neither settle for partial gains nor abandon their aim when danger appears.
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.
यथा यथा प्रयत्नः स्याद्भवेदाशु फलं तथा। इति पौरुषमेवास्ति दैवमस्तु तदेव च॥
yathā yathā prayatnaḥ syād bhaved āśu phalaṃ tathā । iti pauruṣam evāsti daivam astu tad eva ca ॥
A Yoga Vasistha verse that links the fruit of an undertaking to human effort and identifies such effort with what people call destiny.
अद्वैधमनसं युक्तं शूरं धीरं विपश्चितम्। न श्रीः सन्त्यजते नित्यमादित्यमिव रश्मयः॥
advaidhamanasaṃ yuktaṃ śūraṃ dhīraṃ vipaścitam । na śrīḥ santyajate nityam ādityamiva raśmayaḥ ॥
The Mahabharata likens lasting prosperity to the sun's inseparable rays: it remains with one who is focused, courageous, steadfast and discerning.
कारुण्येनात्मनो मानं तृष्णां च परितोषतः। उत्थानेन जयेत्तन्द्रीं वितर्कं निश्चयाज्जयेत्॥
kāruṇyenātmano mānaṃ tṛṣṇāṃ ca paritoṣataḥ । utthānena jayettandrīṃ vitarkaṃ niścayājjayet ॥
A Mahabharata teaching on overcoming pride through compassion, craving through contentment, lethargy through effort and doubt through resolve.
आपत्काले च कष्टेऽपि नोत्साहस्त्यज्यते बुधैः। इति प्रबोधितस्तेन कथञ्चिद् दृढबुद्धिना॥
āpatkāle ca kaṣṭe’pi notsāhas tyajyate budhaiḥ । iti prabodhitastena kathañcid dṛḍhabuddhinā ॥
A Kathasaritsagara passage teaches that the wise do not abandon their spirit even amid adversity and hardship.
उद्यच्छेदेव न नमेदुद्यमो ह्येव पौरुषम्। अप्यपर्वणि भज्येत न नमेदिह कस्यचित्॥
udyacched eva na named udyamo hy eva pauruṣam । apy aparvaṇi bhajyeta na named iha kasyacit ॥
A Mahabharata verse declaring that exertion itself is valour: one should keep striving and never bow, even if one must break rather than bend.
उद्यमस्य प्रसादेन दृश्यन्ते विविधाः कलाः। कातरा एव जल्पन्ति यद् भाव्यं तद् भविष्यति॥
udyamasya prasādena dṛśyante vividhāḥ kalāḥ । kātarā eva jalpanti yad bhāvyaṁ tad bhaviṣyati ॥
Mahāsubhāṣitasaṃgraha teaches that diverse skills are revealed through enterprise, while the timid merely leave everything to what will happen.
दैवं पुरुषकारेण यः समर्थः प्रबाधितुम्। न दैवेन विपन्नार्थः पुरुषः सोऽवसीदति॥
daivaṁ puruṣakāreṇa yaḥ samarthaḥ prabādhitum । na daivena vipannārthaḥ puruṣaḥ so’vasīdati ॥
A Valmiki Ramayana verse teaches that a person capable of confronting destiny through human effort does not lose heart when faced with adversity.
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.
न जातु शौर्यं पुरुषस्य भानुरस्तं गतो भवति कदापि शश्वत्। यथा पुनस्तपति दिवाकरोऽयं तथा पुनर्विक्रमते स वीरः॥
na jātu śauryaṁ puruṣasya bhānurastaṁ gato bhavati kadāpi śaśvat । yathā punastapati divākaro'yaṁ tathā punarvikramate sa vīraḥ ॥
A brave person's valor may pass temporarily from sight, but like the returning sun, it rises and acts with renewed courage.
एकाग्रताथ सङ्कल्पः स्नायुवद् वर्द्धनक्षमौ। नित्याभ्यासप्रयोगाभ्याम् अधिकाधिकमृध्यतः॥
ekāgratātha saṅkalpaḥ snāyuvad varddhanakṣamau । nityābhyāsaprayogābhyām adhikādhikamṛdhyataḥ ॥
Focus and resolve are capacities that grow stronger through regular practice and purposeful application, much like muscles developed through exercise.
प्राप्यापदं न व्यथते कदाचिदुद्योगमन्विच्छति चाप्रमत्तः। दुःखं च काले सहते महात्मा धुरन्धरस्तस्य जिताः सपत्नाः॥
prāpyāpadaṁ na vyathate kadācidudyogamanvicchati cāpramattaḥ । duḥkhaṁ ca kāle sahate mahātmā dhurandharastasya jitāḥ sapatnāḥ ॥
A Vidura Niti verse on meeting adversity without distress, pursuing effort vigilantly, and enduring hardship until obstacles are overcome.
प्रभूतं कार्यमल्पं वा यन्नरः कर्तुमिच्छति। सर्वारम्भेण तत्कार्यं सिंहादेकं प्रचक्षते॥
prabhūtaṁ kāryamalpaṁ vā yannaraḥ kartumicchati । sarvārambheṇa tatkāryaṁ siṁhādekaṁ pracakṣate ॥
A Chanakya Niti verse teaching that every task, great or small, should be undertaken with complete dedication, like the focused effort of a lion.
अनिर्वेदः श्रियो मूलमनिर्वेदः परं सुखम्। अनिर्वेदो हि सततं सर्वार्थेषु प्रवर्तकः॥
anirvedaḥ śriyo mūlam anirvedaḥ paraṁ sukham । anirvedo hi satataṁ sarvārtheṣu pravartakaḥ ॥
A Sundara Kanda verse from the Valmiki Ramayana teaching that non-despondency, steady effort, and faith are the roots of progress and happiness.
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.
नानाश्रान्ताय श्रीरस्तीति रोहित शुश्रुम। पापो नृषद्वरो जन इन्द्र इच्चरतः सखा चरैवेति॥
nānāśrāntāya śrīr astīti rohita śuśruma । pāpo nṛṣadvaro jana indra ic carataḥ sakhā caraiveti ॥
An Aitareya Brahmana verse from the Charaiveti sequence teaching that prosperity comes to those who keep striving and moving forward.
यत्रोत्साहसमारम्भो यत्रालस्यविहीनता। नयविक्रमसंयोगस्तत्र श्रीरचला ध्रुवम्॥
yatrotsāhasamārambho yatrālasyavihīnatā । nayavikramasaṃyogas tatra śrīr acalā dhruvam ॥
The Panchatantra teaches that enthusiasm, freedom from idleness, prudent judgment, and courage make prosperity steady and enduring.
निश्चित्य यः प्रक्रमते नान्तर्वसति कर्मणः। अवन्ध्यकालो वश्यात्मा स वै पण्डित उच्यते॥
niścitya yaḥ prakramate nāntarvasati karmaṇaḥ । avandhyakālo vaśyātmā sa vai paṇḍita ucyate ॥
Vidura Niti defines the truly wise person as one who begins after careful thought, completes the work, uses time fruitfully, and remains self-controlled.
यो यमर्थं प्रार्थयते तदर्थं चेहते क्रमात्। अवश्यं स तमाप्नोति न चेदर्धान्निवर्तते॥
yo yam arthaṃ prārthayate tadarthaṃ cehate kramāt । avaśyaṃ sa tam āpnoti na ced ardhān nivartate ॥
A powerful verse from the Yoga Vasistha teaching how sincere aspiration, systematic effort, and refusal to turn back midway lead a person toward the chosen goal.
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.
स्वधर्ममपि चावेक्ष्य न विकम्पितुमर्हसि। धर्म्याद्धि युद्धाच्छ्रेयोऽन्यत्क्षत्रियस्य न विद्यते॥
svadharmamapi cāvekṣya na vikampitumarhasi । dharmyāddhi yuddhācchreyo'nyatkṣatriyasya na vidyate ॥
Sri Krishna's profound advice to Arjuna, explaining that for a warrior, there is no path more glorious than fighting a righteous war.
न तथा बलवीर्याभ्यां जयन्ति विजिगीषवः। यथा सत्यानृशंस्याभ्यां धर्मेणैवोद्यमेन च॥
na tathā balavīryābhyāṁ jayanti vijigīṣavaḥ । yathā satyānṛśaṁsyābhyāṁ dharmeṇaivodyamena ca ॥
A profound verse from the Mahabharata explaining that lasting victory is won not by sheer force, but through truth, compassion, righteousness, and continuous effort.
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.
अनिर्वेदो हि सततं सर्वार्थेषु प्रवर्तकः। करोति सफलं जन्तोः कर्म यच्च करोति सः॥
anirvedo hi satataṁ sarvārtheṣu pravartakaḥ । karoti saphalaṁ jantoḥ karma yacca karoti saḥ ॥
A powerful verse from the Valmiki Ramayana emphasizing that enthusiasm and positive energy are the driving forces behind all successful endeavors.
उत्थानं संयमो दाक्ष्यमप्रमादो धृतिः स्मृतिः। समीक्ष्य च समारम्भो विद्धिमूलं भवस्य तु॥
utthānaṁ saṁyamo dākṣyam apramādo dhṛtiḥ smṛtiḥ । samīkṣya ca samārambho viddhi mūlaṁ bhavasya tu ॥
A strategic teaching from Vidura Niti identifying the seven essential qualities, from focused effort to careful planning, that form the foundation of success.
इत्थं फलति शुद्धेन सिक्तं सङ्कल्पवारिणा। पुण्यबीजमपि स्वल्पं पुंसां कृषिकृतामिव॥
itthaṁ phalati śuddhena siktaṁ saṅkalpavāriṇā । puṇyabījamapi svalpaṁ puṁsāṁ kṛṣikṛtāmiva ॥
Just as a farmer reaps a harvest from a small seed, a person achieves great success from even a small effort when nurtured with pure determination.
व्यसने वाऽर्थकृच्छ्रे वा भये वा जीवनान्तके। विमृशन् वै स्वया बुद्ध्या धृतिमान् नावसीदति॥
vyasane vā’rthakṛcchre vā bhaye vā jīvanāntake । vimṛśan vai svayā buddhyā dhṛtimān nāvasīdati ॥
A timeless lesson from the Valmiki Ramayana on maintaining resilience and using one’s own intellect to navigate financial crisis, tragedy, and mortal danger.
आत्मज्ञानं समारम्भस्तितिक्षा धर्मनित्यता। यमर्था नापकर्षन्ति स वै पण्डित उच्यते॥
ātmajñānaṁ samārambhas titikṣā dharmanityatā । yam arthā nāpakarṣanti sa vai paṇḍita ucyate ॥
A profound insight from Vidura Niti defining a wise person as one who possesses self-knowledge, maintains steady action, and remains unswayed by greed or hardship.
सिद्धिः साध्ये सतामस्तु प्रसादात्तस्य धूर्जटेः। जाह्नवीफेनलेखेव यन्मूर्ध्नि शशिनः कला॥
siddhiḥ sādhye satām astu prasādāt tasya dhūrjaṭeḥ । jāhnavī-phena-lekheva yan-mūrdhni śaśinaḥ kalā ॥
May the undertakings of the virtuous reach fulfillment through the grace of Lord Shiva, on whose head the crescent moon shines like the foam of the Ganga.
अभीप्सां स्वात्मनो रक्षाऽविरतं सुस्थिरं तया। यत्नमातिष्ठ धैर्येण ततः सिद्धिर्भवेद् ध्रुवम्॥
abhīpsāṁ svātmano rakṣā’virataṃ susthiraṁ tayā । yatnam ātiṣṭha dhairyeṇa tataḥ siddhir bhaved dhruvam ॥
Unwavering resolve, patient effort, and self-command protect a worthy ambition and carry it steadily toward success.
यद् दूरं यद् दुराराध्यं यच्च दूरे व्यवस्थितम्। तत् सर्वं तपसा साध्यं तपो हि दुरतिक्रमम्॥
yad dūraṃ yad durārādhyaṃ yacca dūre vyavasthitam । tat sarvaṃ tapasā sādhyaṃ tapo hi duratikramam ॥
No goal is too distant or difficult when met with "Tapas"—the fire of determined effort. This verse from Chanakya Niti emphasizes that everything is attainable through perseverance.
उत्साहो बलवानार्य नास्त्युत्साहात् परं बलम्। सोत्साहस्यास्ति लोकेऽस्मिन् न किञ्चिदपि दुर्लभम्॥
utsāho balavān ārya nāsty utsāhāt paraṃ balam । sotsāhasyāsti loke’smin na kiñcid api durlabham ॥
Enthusiasm is the ultimate strength. This verse from the Ramayana reminds us that for an energetic person, no goal is unattainable.
न वा उ मां वृजने वारयन्ते न पर्वतासो यदहं मनस्ये। मम स्वनात् कृधुकर्णो भयात एवेदनु द्यून्किरणः समेजात्॥
na vā u māṃ vṛjane vārayante na parvatāso yad ahaṃ manasye । mama svanāt kṛdhukarṇo bhayāta eved anu dyūn kiraṇaḥ samejāt ॥
A Vedic declaration of indomitable will. This verse from the Rigveda illustrates that no mountain or obstacle can stop a person of firm determination.
धीराः शोकं तरिष्यन्ति लभन्ते सिद्धिमुत्तमाम्। धीरैः सम्प्राप्यते लक्ष्मीर्धैर्यं सर्वत्र साधनम्॥
dhīrāḥ śokaṃ tariṣyanti labhante siddhimuttamām । dhīraiḥ samprāpyate lakṣmīrdhairyaṃ sarvatra sādhanam ॥
Steadfast people cross grief through fortitude, endure hardship with patience, and continue toward their purpose without surrendering to despair.
यथैकेन न हस्तेन तालिका सम्प्रपद्यते। तथोद्यमपरित्यक्तं न फलं कर्मणः स्मृतम्॥
yathaikena na hastena tālikā samprapadyate । tathodyamaparityaktaṃ na phalaṃ karmaṇaḥ smṛtam ॥
A subhashita highlighting that just as one hand cannot clap, success is impossible without personal effort and hard work.
अविज्ञातस्य विज्ञानं विज्ञातस्य च निश्चयः। आरम्भः कर्मणां शश्वदारब्धस्यान्तदर्शनम्॥
avijñātasya vijñānaṃ vijñātasya ca niścayaḥ । ārambhaḥ karmaṇāṃ śaśvadārabdhasyāntadarśanam ॥
Intelligence is shown through discovering the unknown, confirming what is known, beginning work decisively, and carrying it to completion.
चरन् वै मधु विन्दति चरन् स्वादुमुदुम्बरम्। सूर्यस्य पश्य श्रेमाणं यो न तन्द्रयते चरंश्चरैवेति॥
caran vai madhu vindati caran svādum udumbaram । sūryasya paśya śremāṇaṃ yo na tandrayate caraṃś caraiveti ॥
An exhortation to stay active and keep moving forward, as success comes to those who are diligent and dynamic.
चरैवेति चरैवेति चरन्वै मधु विन्दति। सूर्यास्य पश्य श्रेमाणं न मामार न जीर्यति॥
caraiveti caraiveti caranvai madhu vindati । sūryāsya paśya śremāṇaṃ na māmāra na jīryati ॥
The Vedic refrain Charaiveti—keep moving—presents sustained action as the path to growth, drawing inspiration from the sun’s ceaseless journey.
अनुत्थाने ध्रुवो नाशः प्राप्तस्यानागतस्य च। प्राप्यते फलमुत्थानाल्लभते चार्थसम्पदम्॥
anutthāne dhruvo nāśaḥ prāptasyānāgatasya ca । prāpyate phalam utthānāl labhate cārthasampadam ॥
Inaction leads inevitably to decline, while energetic and diligent effort is the means by which prosperity and worthwhile results are attained.
दुर्लभान्यपि कार्याणि सिद्ध्यन्ति प्रोद्यमेन हि। शिलाऽपि तनुतां याति प्रपातेनार्णसो मुहुः॥
durlabhāny api kāryāṇi siddhyanti prodyamena hi । śilā'pi tanutāṁ yāti prapātenārṇaso muhuḥ ॥
Persistent effort can accomplish even difficult tasks, just as repeated drops of water gradually wear away stone.
उत्तिष्ठत जाग्रत प्राप्य वरान्निबोधत। क्षुरस्य धारा निशिता दुरत्यया दुर्गं पथस्तत्कवयो वदन्ति॥
uttiṣṭhata jāgrata prāpya varān nibodhata । kṣurasya dhārā niśitā duratyayā durgaṁ pathas tat kavayo vadanti ॥
The Katha Upanishad calls seekers to arise, awaken, approach wise teachers, and walk the subtle, demanding path toward realization.
अङ्गणवेदी वसुधा कुल्या जलधिः स्थली च पातालम्। वल्मीकश्च सुमेरुः कृतप्रतिज्ञस्य वीरस्य॥
aṅgaṇavedī vasudhā kulyā jaladhiḥ sthalī ca pātālam । valmīkaśca sumeruḥ kṛtapratijñasya vīrasya ॥
For the brave and strong-willed, no obstacle is too great. This verse illustrates how a determined hero perceives the vast earth as a courtyard and the deep ocean as a small pond.
उत्थातव्यं जागृतव्यं योक्तव्यं भूतिकर्मसु। भविष्यतीत्येव मनः कृत्वा सततमव्यथैः॥
utthātavyaṃ jāgṛtavyaṃ yoktavyaṃ bhūtikarmasu । bhaviṣyatītyeva manaḥ kṛtvā satatam avyathaiḥ ॥
Rise, remain alert, abandon despondency, and apply yourself steadily to work with confidence that purposeful effort can bear fruit.
सामर्थ्यमूलं स्वातन्त्र्यं श्रममूलं च वैभवम्। न्यायमूलं सुराज्यं स्यात् सङ्घमूलं महाबलम्॥
sāmarthyamūlaṁ svātantryaṁ śramamūlaṁ ca vaibhavam । nyāyamūlaṁ surājyaṁ syāt saṅghamūlaṁ mahābalaṁ ॥
Strength supports independence, effort creates prosperity, justice sustains good governance, and organized unity becomes collective power.
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.
बन्धनं मरणं वापि जयो वापि पराजयः। उभयत्र समो वीरः वीरभावो हि वीरता॥
bandhanaṁ maraṇaṁ vāpi jayo vāpi parājayaḥ । ubhayatra samo vīraḥ vīrabhāvo hi vīratā ॥
True heroism is the courage to remain inwardly steady through bondage or death, victory or defeat.
यस्य कृत्यं न विघ्नन्ति शीतमुष्णं भयं रतिः। समृद्धिरसमृद्धिर्वा स वै पण्डित उच्यते॥
yasya kṛtyaṁ na vighnanti śītamuṣṇaṁ bhayaṁ ratiḥ । samṛddhir asamṛddhir vā sa vai paṇḍita ucyate ॥
A wise person remains committed to duty despite heat and cold, fear and desire, prosperity and adversity.