Subhashitams on Respect
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.
ज्ञानवृद्धान्प्रशंसन्तः शुश्रूषन्तः परस्परम्। विनिवृत्ताभिसन्धानाः सुखमेधन्ति सर्वशः॥
jñānavṛddhān praśaṃsantaḥ śuśrūṣantaḥ parasparam । vinivṛttābhisandhānāḥ sukhamedhanti sarvaśaḥ ॥
A Mahabharata verse teaches that honouring the wise, serving one another and relinquishing ulterior designs allow a community to prosper happily.
शीलवान् पूजितो लोके शीलवान् साधुसम्मतः। शीलवान् सर्वकर्मार्हः शीलवान् प्रियदर्शनः॥
śīlavān pūjito loke śīlavān sādhusammataḥ । śīlavān sarvakarmārhaḥ śīlavān priyadarśanaḥ ॥
A verse from Bhojadeva's Samarangana-sutradhara teaches that a person of character earns respect, is esteemed by the virtuous, proves fit for every task, and becomes pleasing to others.
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.
देशाचारान् समयाञ्जातिधर्मान् बुभूषते यस्तु परावरज्ञः। स तत्र तत्राधिगतः सदैव महाजनस्याधिपत्यं करोति॥
deśācārān samayāñ jātidharmān bubhūṣate yastu parāvarajñaḥ । sa tatra tatrādhigataḥ sadaiva mahājanasyādhipatyaṁ karoti ॥
A Vidura Niti verse on how understanding local customs, social norms, and communities earns trust, respect, and influence.
त्वत्सम्भावितमात्मानं बहु मन्यामहे वयम्। प्रायः प्रत्ययमाधत्ते स्वगुणेषूत्तमादरः॥
tvatsambhāvitam ātmānaṃ bahu manyāmahe vayam । prāyaḥ pratyayam ādhatte svaguṇeṣūttamādaraḥ ॥
A Sanskrit verse on how respectful recognition from noble people strengthens confidence in one's own qualities.
विद्वान् प्रशस्यते लोके विद्वान् सर्वत्र गौरवम्। विद्यया लभते सर्वं विद्या सर्वत्र पूज्यते॥
vidvān praśasyate loke vidvān sarvatra gauravam । vidyayā labhate sarvaṃ vidyā sarvatra pūjyate ॥
A verse extolling the universal honor that knowledge brings. The learned are praised everywhere, and through knowledge one can attain all of life's goals.
व्युच्छन्ती हि रश्मिभिर्विश्वमाभासि रोचनम्। ता त्वामुषर्वसूयवो गीर्भिः कण्वा अहूषत॥
vyucchantī hi raśmibhir viśvam ābhāsi rocanam । tā tvām uṣar vasūyavo gīrbhiḥ kaṇvā ahūṣata ॥
A Vedic tribute to the Dawn (Usha), representing the power of women whose knowledge and virtues illuminate the world and dispel the darkness of ignorance.
दशपुत्रसमा कन्या दशपुत्रान् प्रवर्धयन्। यत् फलम् लभते मर्त्यस्तल्लभ्यं कन्ययैकया॥
daśaputrasamā kanyā daśaputrān pravardhayan । yat phalam labhate martyastal labhyaṁ kanyayaikayā ॥
A daughter is equal to ten sons, this verse explains the merit of raising a daughter.
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.