Incomparable is the sky, which is one of a kind. Incomparable too is the ocean, like which there is no other. So too was the battle between Rama and Ravana – matchless, unsurpassed, beyond compare.
(Transliteration: gaganam gaganAkAram sAgaraha sAgarOpamaha / rAmarAvaNayOr yudhDHam rAmarAvaNayOr iva)
(From the Valmiki Ramayanam)
In the North is the king of mountains, called the Himalaya, which is the abode of the gods. Spanning the seas on the east and the west it seems like a measuring rod for the earth itself.
(Transliteration: asthyuththarasyAm dhishi dhEvathAthmA himAlayO nAma nagADHirAjaha / pUrvAparau thOyaniDHI vagAhya sTHithaha prTHivyA iva mAnadhaNdaha)
From Kalidasa’s poem, Kumarasambhava
Never should anything be done in haste. Unwise decisions are the origin of great danger. Wealth, which always favours those with good qualities, will go on Her own to one who thinks before taking any action.
(From poet Bharavi’s mahakavya, Kiratarjuniyam)
(Transliteration: sahasA vidhaDHItha na kriyAm avivEkaha paramApadhAm padham / vrNuthE hi vimrshyakAriNam guNalubDHAha svayamEva sampadhaha)
Seeking the company of good people will lead to detachment towards worldly things. Detachment will help overcome desires. Once desires are overcome, the mind becomes stable. When the mind becomes stable one can realise God in life.
(From the composition Bhaja Govindam of the Hindu philosopher-saint Sri Adi Shankaracharya)
(Transliteration:sathsangathvE nissangathvam nissangathve nirmOhathvam nirmOhathvE nishchalathathvam nishchalathathvE jIvanmukthihi)
A son (or offspring) is one who gives happiness to his parents by his good deeds. A wife (or spouse) is one who wishes only for the good of her husband (or wife). A friend is one who is with you in times of crisis as well as joy. In this world only the fortunate get these three.
(Transliteration: yaha prINayEth sucharithaihi pitharam sa puthrO yadh bharthurEva hitham ichCHathi thath kalathram / thanmithram Apadhi sukhE cha samakriyam yadhEthadh thrayam jagathi puNyakrthO labhanthE)
If you keep rubbing two pieces of wood, a flame is born. If you keep digging the earth, water will spring forth. For one who is zealous about his work, nothing is impossible. For those who set out on their path, all effort will bear fruit.
(Transliteration: kASHTAdh agnirjAyathE maTHyamAnAth bhUmisthOyam khanyamAnA dhadhAthi / sOthsAhAnAm nAsthyasADHyam narANAm mArgArabDHAha sarvayathnAha phalanthi)
The sandal wood tree does not abandon its fragrance even when it is cut. Though advanced in age, the owner of a shop does not miss a chance to make profit. Even after being crushed, sugarcane does not lose its sweetness. A virtuous man does not give up his good qualities though he may suffer deprivation.
(Transliteration: CHinnOpi chandhanatharuhu na jahAthi ganDHam vrdhDHOpi vApaNapathihi na jahAthi lAbham / yanthrArpithO maDHurathAm na jahAthi chEkshuhu kshINOpi na thyajathi shIlaguNAn kulInaha)
Kalidasa on the worth of a literary work
All that is old is not necessarily superior; all that is new is not necessarily inferior. The wise examine the work and then praise it, whereas an ignorant person decides based on others’ opinions.
(Transliteration: purANamithyEva na sADHu sarvam na chApi kAvyam navam ithyavadhyam / santhaha parIkshyAnyatharadh bhajanthe mUDaha paraprathyayanEya budhDHihi)
Just as gold is tested in four ways, so too is Man. Gold is rubbed on a touchstone, cut, heated and beaten. A person is assessed on the basis of his learning, his character, his family background, and by his actions.
(Transliteration: yaTHA chathurbhihi kanakam parIkshyathe nigharSHaNa CHEdhana thApa thAdanaihi / thaTHA chathurbhihi purushaha parIkshyathe shruthEna sheelEna kulEna karmaNA)
A melodious song that goes “Rama! Rama!” do I hear. Singing it is the koel called Valmiki, from atop the branch called kavitha (poetry); I bow to him.
[Note: Valmiki is the author of the immortal Indian epic, Ramayana, which is believed to be ~ 5000 to 7000 years old)
(Transliteration: kUjantham rAmarAmEthi maDHuram maDHurAksharam / Aruhya kavithA shAkhAm vandhe vAlmIki kOkilam)
