Subhāṣitas – Page 11 – Anuśīlana.in

prathama-vayasi dattaṁ toyam alpaṁ smarantaḥ

prathama-vayasi dattaṁ toyam alpaṁ smarantaḥ
śirasi nihita-bhārā nārikelā narāṇām |
salilam amṛta-kalpaṁ dadyur ājīvanāntaṁ
na hi kṛtam upakāraṁ sādhavo vismaranti ||
(Subhāṣita-ratna-bhāṇḍāgāra)

“Remembering the small amount of water given [to them by human beings] in their early age, coconut trees, holding loads on their heads, can give water resembling nectar to human beings as long as they live. [Similarly,] The sādhus never forget help rendered [unto them by others].”

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vibhūtiḥ tyāga-hīna iva satya-hīna iva bhārati

vibhūtiḥ tyāga-hīna iva satya-hīna iva bhārati |
vidyā praśama-hīna iva na bhāti strī patiṁ vinā ||
(Rāmāyaṇa Mañjarī: Ayodhyā)

“Like wealth without giving, speech without truth, and learning without tranquility, a lady does not shine without her husband.”

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hastasya bhūṣaṇaṁ dānaṁ satyaṁ kaṇṭhasya bhūṣaṇam

hastasya bhūṣaṇaṁ dānaṁ satyaṁ kaṇṭhasya bhūṣaṇam |
śrotrasya bhūṣaṇaṁ śāstraṁ bhūṣaṇaiḥ kiṁ prayojanam ||
(Subhāṣita-ratna-bhāṇḍāgāra)

“Giving is the hand’s ornament, truth is the throat’s ornament, and śāstra is the ear’s ornament. So, what need is there of ornaments?”

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utsāho balavān ārya nāsty utsāhāt paraṁ balam

utsāho balavān ārya nāsty utsāhāt paraṁ balam |
sotsāhasya hi lokeṣu na kiñcid api durlabham ||
(Rāmāyaṇa: Kiṣikindhā-kāṇḍa, 4.1.121; cited in Mahāsubhāṣita-saṅgraha: 6673)

[Lakṣmaṇa to Rāma while distraught after the abduction of Sītā:] “O noble one, enthusiasm is powerful. Nothing is more powerful than enthusiasm. Indeed, there is nothing unattainable in all the worlds for one who has enthusiasm.”

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abhīpsāṁ svātmano rakṣāvirataṁ susthiraṁ tathā

abhīpsāṁ svātmano rakṣāvirataṁ susthiraṁ tathā |
yatnam ātiṣṭha dhairyeṇa tataḥ siddhir bhaved dhruvam ||
(Mahāsubhāṣita-saṅgraha: 2353)

“Remain firmly fixed in your own aspiration, continuous [self-] protection, complete steadiness, and endeavor. Then success is certain.”

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sajjanā eva sādhūnāṁ prathayanti guṇotkaram

sajjanā eva sādhūnāṁ prathayanti guṇotkaram |
puṣpāṇāṁ saurabhaṁ prāyas tanvate dikṣu mārutaḥ ||
(Subhāṣita-ratna-bhāṇḍārāgāra)

“Only sādhus proclaim the qualities of [other] sādhus [i.e., the impious, on the contrary, typically engage in discussion of sādhus’ supposed faults instead]. Mostly [it is] the winds [that] spread the fragrance of flowers throughout the directions.”

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icchec ced vipulāṁ maitrīṁ trīṇi tatra na kārayet

icchec ced vipulāṁ maitrīṁ trīṇi tatra na kārayet |
vāg-vādaṁ artha-sambandhaṁ tat-patnī-paribhāṣaṇam ||
(Subhāṣita-ratna-bhāṇḍāgāram)

“If you desire a great friendship, then do not engage in these three therein: (1) disputes, (2) financial agreements, or (3) intimate conversation with their spouse.”

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apriyāṇy api pathyāni ye vadanti nṛṇām iha

apriyāṇy api pathyāni ye vadanti nṛṇām iha |
te eva suhṛdaḥ proktā anye syur nāma-dhārakāḥ ||
(Mahāsubhāṣita-saṅgraha: 2199)

“Only those who say to people here that which, although unpleasant, needs to be said are called friends. Others are only bearers of the name [i.e., they are only so-called friends].”

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karāv iva śarīrasya netrayor iva pakṣmaṇī

karāv iva śarīrasya netrayor iva pakṣmaṇī |
avicārya priyaṁ kuryāt tan-mitraṁ mitra ucyate ||
(Subhāṣita-ratna-bhāṇḍāgāram)

“Like the hands of the body and the lids of the eyes, that friend who without deliberation does what is kind is said to be a [real] friend.”

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āpat-kāle tu samprāpte yan-mitraṁ mitram eva tat

āpat-kāle tu samprāpte yan-mitraṁ mitram eva tat |
vṛddhi-kāle tu samprāpte durjano’pi suhṛd bhavet ||
(Mahāsubhāṣita-saṅgraha)

“One who is a friend during times of adversity is a friend indeed. Even wicked people become friendly during times of prosperity.”

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