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Inspirational Quotations

by RightAttitudes.com

Inspirational Quotes from Subhashita Manjari (Sanskrit Anthology of Proverbs)

Inspirational Quotations by Subhashita Manjari (Sanskrit Anthology of Proverbs)

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 Kâsí^nâtha Panduranga Paraba’s Subhâshita Ratna Bhâṇdâhâram (1952, ‘Gems of Sanskrit Poetry.’)

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Subhashita Manjari

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Inspirational Quotes from Subhashita Manjari (Sanskrit Anthology of Proverbs)

Knowledge is a friend when on journey.
Wife is a friend at home.
For the sick, medicine is a friend.
Dharma is a friend for the dead.
—Subhashita Manjari

What can a wicked person do to someone who is equipped with the weapon of forgiveness? Fire fallen on a grassless land gets extinguished by itself.
—Subhashita Manjari

A wise man should keep far away from an unpleasant person, from injuring others, from other’s views, from unrighteous conduct and from untruth.
—Subhashita Manjari

People who are prejudiced often see no merit in sound logic and wise Sayings. A lotus that is used to harsh sun rays will not bloom even when showered with pleasant rays of moon.
—Subhashita Manjari

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

When rituals or any task is performed under the fear of fate or due to the greed will never pay off. It is as useless as trying to create fire from ash.
—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

One who travels abroad and serves scholars is broad-minded. His intellectual ability is extensive just like a drop of oil on water which expands and covers the surface completely.
—Subhashita Manjari

He who conquers himself conquers all. He wears equanimity as a coat of arms, proof against thieves and enemies.
—Subhashita Manjari

In times of prosperity, the minds of great people are as soft as gentle water lilies, whereas in adversity when going gets tough, they become as hard as a huge mass of solid rock.
—Subhashita Manjari

It is said that when the world ends, even the moutains start moving due to the force of the wind. But even when such a thing happens, the mental state of the brave does not waver since it is very clear. Clarity in thoughts gives you the strength to withstand anything.
—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

Money which is gained by hurting others, or by deviating from righteous principles, or by self insult (for example, by begging), does not bring any happiness. (Such money is of no use).
—Subhashita Manjari

You should be ambitious and achieve them. You should never start with a small aim. Your aim determines the nature of your accomplishments. If you are not ambitious enough, you shall not get enough to eat.
—Subhashita Manjari

One who influences (inspires, motivates and contributes to) the lives of his friends and relatives is the only one whose life is worthwhile. Who in this world lives without any selfish motives?
—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

Useless is the rain that precipitates into seas.
Useless is the food that is fed to a satisfied person.
Useless is the money that is given to an able person.
Useless is the lamp that is lighted during the day time.
—Subhashita Manjari

No one knows what will happen to whom tomorrow. Therefore, a wise man should do all of tomorrow’s tasks today.
—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

How can one attain education, if he is lazy?
How can one acquire wealth, if he is uneducated?
How can one make friends, if he is not wealthy?
How can a person without friends, be happy?
—Subhashita Manjari

When I was ignorant, I was blinded by pride like an intoxicated elephant; my mind was elated and I used to think myself to be all-knowing. However, by keeping company with the wise, my pride, like fever, was humbled as I gradually realized that I am an idiot.
—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

Life in a bad village, serving a wicked boss, sticking to a bland diet, ill-tempered wife with an angry face, a foolish half-witted son, a widowed daughter-these situations destroy (burn) a person without the need of any fire.
—Subhashita Manjari

Diligence, audacity, courage, intelligence, strength and bravery -wherever these six qualities exist, there is divine assistance.
—Subhashita Manjari

A friend is tested in bad times, a warrior in the battlefield. A person’s humility is a test of his up bringing. A person’s character is tested when he needs money and does not have it.
—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

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

Hard work and light food – this is the readily available medicine for any disease. If you do these daily, you shall not be afraid of any ailment.
—Subhashita Manjari

Whoever is wealthy, is the one who has friends.
Whoever is wealthy, is the one who has acquaintances (kith and kin).
Whoever is wealthy, is the man in this world!
Whoever is wealthy, is also a great scholar.
—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

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

There is strength in numbers and unity. That is the way you can kill an enemy. Just look at the collection of straws that make the roof of the hut. They protect us from even the heavy rains, alone none of those straws can do the same.
—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

There is no parallel to the peace of mind that people get when they are content and happy. Just look at the other extreme, people who are greedy and dissatisfied are running from pillar to post in search of wealth.
—Subhashita Manjari

Patience in adversity, magnanimity in ascendancy, eloquence in assembly, bravery in battle, aspiration for eminence and engrossment in the scriptures are the self-evident attributes of great men.
—Subhashita Manjari

One should speak pleasant truth. One should not (directly) say truth if it is harsh, neither should one cook up pleasing words that are not true. This is an eternal principle.
—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

If the person at the peak of his wealth says ‘No No’ to the poor and needy person then be assured that in future that person will have to say ‘Give Give’!.
—Subhashita Manjari

Any remainder of debt, fire and enemy grow rapidly again and again, hence no remainder should be maintained.
—Subhashita Manjari

Knowledge is certainly a man’s greatest beauty. It is a safe and hidden treasure. It provides prosperity, fame and happiness. Knowledge is the guru of all gurus. It acts as one’s friend in a foreign country. Knowledge is the Supreme God. It is the knowledge, not wealth, which is adored by kings. Without knowledge one remains as animal.
—Subhashita Manjari

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