Sanskrit Shlokas Mantras

ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः । तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि । धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥

Om Bhur Bhuvah Swah, Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi, Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat

Meaning We meditate on the glorious light of the divine Creator (Savitr); may He illuminate and awaken our intellect.

ॐ एकदन्ताय विद्महे वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि । तन्नो दन्ती प्रचोदयात् ॥

Om Ekadantaya Vidmahe Vakratundaya Dhimahi, Tanno Danti Prachodayat

Meaning We know the one-tusked Lord; we meditate on the curved-trunk Ganesha; may that tusked one inspire our intellect.

ॐ सरस्वत्यै विद्महे ब्रह्मपुत्र्यै धीमहि । तन्नो देवी प्रचोदयात् ॥

Om Saraswatyai Vidmahe Brahmaputryai Dhimahi, Tanno Devi Prachodayat

Meaning We know Goddess Saraswati, the daughter of Brahma; we meditate on her; may that Goddess inspire our intellect.

ॐ महालक्ष्म्यै च विद्महे विष्णुपत्न्यै च धीमहि । तन्नो लक्ष्मीः प्रचोदयात् ॥

Om Mahalakshmyai Cha Vidmahe Vishnupatnyai Cha Dhimahi, Tanno Lakshmih Prachodayat

Meaning We know the great Goddess Lakshmi, consort of Vishnu; we meditate on her; may that Goddess of prosperity inspire our intellect.

ॐ कात्यायनाय विद्महे कन्याकुमारि धीमहि । तन्नो दुर्गिः प्रचोदयात् ॥

Om Katyayanaya Vidmahe Kanyakumari Dhimahi, Tanno Durgih Prachodayat

Meaning We know Goddess Katyayani; we meditate on the divine virgin; may Goddess Durga inspire our intellect.

अयं बन्धुरयं नेति गणना लघुचेतसाम् । उदारचरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम् ॥

Ayam Bandhurayam Neti Ganana Laghuchetasam, Udaracharitanam Tu Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

Meaning "This one is a relative, this one is a stranger" — so calculates the small-minded; for those of noble character, the whole world is but one family.

परोपकाराय पुण्याय पापाय परपीडनम् ॥

Paropkaraya Punyaya Papaya Parapidanam. A celebrated Sanskrit subhashita (maxim)

Meaning Helping others is virtue (punya); causing pain to others is sin (papa) — perhaps the most concise ethical principle in all of Sanskrit literature.

विद्या ददाति विनयं विनयाद् याति पात्रताम् । पात्रत्वाद् धनमाप्नोति धनात् धर्मं ततः सुखम् ॥

Vidya Dadati Vinayam Vinayad Yati Patratam, Patratvaad Dhanamapnoti Dhanat Dharmam Tatah Sukham. A classical Hitopadesha subhashita

Meaning Knowledge gives humility; from humility comes worthiness; from worthiness one gains wealth; from wealth comes dharma; from dharma comes happiness.

आहारनिद्राभयमैथुनं च सामान्यमेतत् पशुभिर्नराणाम् । धर्मो हि तेषामधिको विशेषो धर्मेण हीनाः पशुभिः समानाः ॥

Ahara Nidra Bhaya Maithunam Cha Samanyam Etat Pashubhir Naranam, Dharmo Hi Tesham Adhiko Vishesho Dharmena Hinah Pashubhih Samanaah. A classical Hitopadesha verse

Meaning Eating, sleeping, fear, and procreation are common to humans and animals; it is dharma (righteousness) that distinguishes humans; without dharma, a person is equal to an animal.

न चौरहार्यं न च राजहार्यं न भ्रातृभाज्यं न च भारकारि । व्यये कृते वर्धत एव नित्यं विद्याधनं सर्वधनप्रधानम् ॥

Na Chauraharyam Na Cha Rajaharyam Na Bhratribhajyam Na Cha Bharakari, Vyaye Krite Vardhata Eva Nityam Vidyadhanam Sarvadhana Pradhanam. A classic Sanskrit subhashita

Meaning Knowledge cannot be stolen by thieves, seized by kings, divided among brothers, or be a burden; it increases when spent — the wealth of knowledge is the greatest of all wealth.

उद्यमेन हि सिध्यन्ति कार्याणि न मनोरथैः । न हि सुप्तस्य सिंहस्य प्रविशन्ति मुखे मृगाः ॥

Udyamena Hi Sidhyanti Kaaryani Na Manorataih, Na Hi Suptasya Simhasya Pravishanti Mukhe Mrigaah. A classical Sanskrit maxim

Meaning Tasks are accomplished through effort, not mere wishes; deer do not walk into the mouth of a sleeping lion — a universal exhortation to diligent action.