The Subhâshita (Sanskrit: “well-spoken” or “eloquent adage”) is a genre of witty, epigrammatic, instructive verses and proverbs that convey worldly wisdom and righteous deeds. The subhâshitas have survived from ancient and medieval India, not only in Sanskrit but also in the vernacular languages.
Generally, Sanskrit subhâshita verses are four or two lines (pādas) set to the anuṣṭubh meter of Sanskrit verse.
Anthologies of subhâshitas are referred to as subhâshitavali, subhâshitani, subhâshita manjari, subhâshita bhandara, and subhâshita saṅgraha.
Subhâshita Manjari verse 1.5 clarifies the importance of subhâshita with a subhâshita, “On this earth, there are three jewels—water, food, and subhâshita. But the fool calls pieces of stone, jewel.”
Traditionally subhâshitas were originated, memorized, and transmitted by word of mouth. They are sourced in the works of Bhartṛhari (5th century CE,) Chanakya (3rd century BCE,) Thiruvalluvar (4th or 5th century CE,) Kalidasa (5th century CE,) and other literary figures. Besides, the animal fables Pañcatantra (3rd century BCE) and Hitopadeśa (12th century CE) and the Vedas, the Bhagavad Gītā, Purāṇas, Rāmāyaṇa, and Mahabharata are correspondingly prominent sources of subhâshitas.
Famous collections of subhâshitas include Krishna Shastri Bhatavadekar’s Subhâshita Ratnakara (1888) and Kâsínâtha Panduranga Paraba’s Subhâshita Ratna Bhâṇdâhâram (1952, ‘Gems of Sanskrit Poetry.’)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Subhashita Manjari
Recommended Reading
- ‘The Guide: A Novel‘ by R. K. Narayan, Michael Gorra
- ‘The Elephant’s Friend and Other Tales from Ancient India‘ by Marcia Williams
- ‘One Hundred & One Folktales From India‘ by Eunice de Souza
- ‘Tales from India‘ by J. E. B. Gray, Rosamund Fowler
- ‘Malgudi Days‘ by R. K. Narayan
- ‘Swami and Friends, The Bachelor of Arts, The Dark Room, The English Teacher‘ by R. K. Narayan
Inspirational Quotes from Subhashita Manjari (Sanskrit Anthology of Proverbs)
The sun, the moon, huge trees, rivers, cows and virtuous people are created by the almighty for helping others.
—Subhashita Manjari
The path of service is formidable.
It is difficult even for a yogi to follow.
If a man in service remains quiet, then he is called dumb.
If he is quick-witted, then he is described as loquacious.
If he stays close by, then he is taken to be audacious,
and if he maintains a distance, then is considered as shy.
If he is tolerant, then he is regarded as timid,
and if he is unable to bear indignities, then he is known as ill bred.
—Subhashita Manjari
What is a grain? It is the companionship of the virtuous.
What is grief? It is the company of fools.
What is loss? It is the dissipation of time.
What is prudence? It is devotion to virtue.
What is valour? It is the conquest of the senses.
Who is the beloved wife? One who is devoted to her husband.
What is wealth? It is knowledge.
What is happiness? It is to remain settled in one’s own country.
What is rulership? It is to command obedience.
—Subhashita Manjari
In the mind, speech and action, the great souls are same, but the wicked are different in mind, speech and action.
—Subhashita Manjari
A King desiring to attack (an enemy) should first make his soldiers contented (by good pay and just treatment) and having injured (weakened) the enemy by strategy should himself then advance to attack.
—Subhashita Manjari
Good qualities of a person are the ones that are admired and not the family background. People worship Vasudeva (Krishna) and not his father Vasudeva.
—Subhashita Manjari
Topics: Virtue
Wanting to reform the wicked with nectar-sweet advice, is like trying to control an elephant with the pith of a lotus-stem, or cutting a diamond with delicate petals of the Shireesh flower, or sweetening the salty ocean with a drop of honey.
—Subhashita Manjari
A mountain is big. Bigger than the mountain is the ocean. The sky is bigger than the ocean. The universe is bigger than the sky. Greed is even bigger than the universe.
—Subhashita Manjari
Even if it is not possible to follow the righteous path entirely, one should do it as much as he can. One who is in the righteous path, will never suffer.
—Subhashita Manjari
Diligence, audacity, courage, intelligence, strength and bravery -wherever these six qualities exist, there is divine assistance.
—Subhashita Manjari
Even good people get themselves corrupted by their
close association with the undesirable. Water which
is sweet and cool becomes hot associated with fire.
—Subhashita Manjari
Bracelets do not adorn a person. Nor do pearl necklaces shining like the moon, or a cleansing bath; nor anointment of the body, nor flowers, nor decoration for the hair. It is cultured speech alone which embellishes a man. All other ornaments lose their glitter, only the jewel of speech ever remains the jewel of jewels.
—Subhashita Manjari
Like the fish in a snake-pond, the pure, though not committing any sin will perish by the sin of others due to their association with the wicked.
—Subhashita Manjari
When you are sad, look at people who are more unfortunate than you. When you are happy, don’t get carried away. Look at people who are more happier and strive to achieve that level of happiness. The key is not to give in to the emotion – happiness or despair. Just like you never surrender to enemies.
—Subhashita Manjari
Even insignificant things can be grouped together and can effectively be used to accomplish great tasks. A rope made of hay sticks controls a powerful elephant by firmly binding it.
—Subhashita Manjari
Noble men always are eager to help others. It is in their nature to do so. But wicked people cannot stand this day or night. Their heart burns with pain everytime they see a noble man prosper.
—Subhashita Manjari
The status of a learned person can never be compared with that of a king. A king is worshiped only in his kingdom, whereas a learned person is honored everywhere.
—Subhashita Manjari
A true gem shines steadfastly by itself and is not affected by external factors, unlike a lamp which needs oil to burn and can be snuffed out by wind and which is discarded during day time, as unnecessary. So are the good men unaffected by prosperity or adversity.
—Subhashita Manjari
One who is not interested in literature, music and arts is veritably an animal without tail or horns. Other animals are indeed fortunate, that he lives without eating grass.
—Subhashita Manjari
The gods were not happy with the precious gems obtained from the milky ocean. They were not afraid of the deadly poison. They did not rest until they obtained the nectar of immortality. In fact, the steadfast do not relax without accomplishing the determined task.
—Subhashita Manjari
The fruits of an operation are determined by the efforts one puts in. When mind also follows the sincerity of the efforts. Even then, wise men give lot of thought before they start any new task.
—Subhashita Manjari
All good qualities are possessed by a scholar.
Only few bad habits constitute a fool’s character.
That’s why, for every thousand fools, you can witness one scholar.
—Subhashita Manjari
Fire, Loan and enemy traces, even if they remain in small amount, they grow back repeatedlyHence finish them without leaving a trace.
—Subhashita Manjari
There is no kin equivalent to knowledge.
There is no friend equivalent to knowledge.
There is no wealth equivalent to knowledge.
There is no happiness equivalent to knowledge.
—Subhashita Manjari
Any remainder of debt, fire and enemy grow rapidly again and again, hence no remainder should be maintained.
—Subhashita Manjari
There is no alphabet from which a holy word (mantra)
can not be made. There is no herb from which a medicine
can not be made. There is no person who is incapable.
What is rare is the one who can organize.
—Subhashita Manjari
A person with good qualities serves good purpose even if he gets angry. Milk which is naturally sweet becomes more delicious when boiled.
—Subhashita Manjari
A man’s ornament is his form. The ornament of beauty is virtue. Virtue’s ornament is knowledge. Of knowledge the ornament is forgiveness.
—Subhashita Manjari
Anger is foremost enemy of humankind, which inherently resides within oneself only to destroy him, just like fire which is enkindled by a piece of wood ends up burning the piece.
—Subhashita Manjari
The courage of a hero cannot be wiped off even though he is worried. Though (source of the flame) reversed, the flames do not point downwards.
—Subhashita Manjari
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
The Panchatantra Indian Collection of Fables
Bhartrihari Hindu Philosopher, Grammarian
The Hitopadesha Indian Collection of Fables
Kalidasa Indian Sanskrit Poet, Dramatist
The Jataka Tales Genre of Buddhist Literature
Tulsidas Indian Hindu Poet
Indira Gandhi Indian Head of State
Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit Indian Politician, Diplomat
Jawaharlal Nehru Indian Head of State
Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi Persian Muslim Mystic