Sanskrit Shlokas to be used in Essay UPSC mains


Here are 50 Sanskrit shlokas with their English transliteration, source, meanings, and explanations for use in UPSC essays:


1.

Sanskrit: कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥
Transliteration: Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana.
Ma karmaphalaheturbhurma te sangostvakarmani.
Source: Bhagavad Gita 2.47
Meaning: You have the right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions.
Explanation: Focus on duty and action without attachment to results; vital for governance and ethics.

2.

Sanskrit: वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम्।
Transliteration: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
Source: Maha Upanishad
Meaning: The world is one family.
Explanation: Global unity and harmony principle, apt for international relations.

3.

Sanskrit: सत्यं वद धर्मं चर।
Transliteration: Satyam vada dharmam chara.
Source: Taittiriya Upanishad
Meaning: Speak the truth, follow righteousness.
Explanation: Fundamental ethical guidance for integrity.

4.

Sanskrit: उत्तिष्ठ जाग्रत प्राप्य वरान्निबोधत।
Transliteration: Uttishtha jagrata prapya varannibodhata.
Source: Katha Upanishad
Meaning: Arise! Awake! Approach the great and learn.
Explanation: Encourages action and learning.

5.

Sanskrit: यज्ञशिष्टाशिन: संतो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषै:।
Transliteration: Yajnasishtashinah santo muchyante sarvakilbishaih.
Source: Bhagavad Gita 4.30
Meaning: Those who partake in sacrificial remnants are freed from sins.
Explanation: Advocates selflessness and service.

6.

Sanskrit: धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः।
Transliteration: Dharmo rakshati rakshitah.
Source: Manusmriti
Meaning: Dharma protects those who protect it.
Explanation: Importance of safeguarding righteousness.

7.

Sanskrit: योगः कर्मसु कौशलम्।
Transliteration: Yogah karmasu kaushalam.
Source: Bhagavad Gita 2.50
Meaning: Yoga is skill in action.
Explanation: Excellence through focused effort.

8.

Sanskrit: न हि ज्ञानेन सदृशं पवित्रमिह विद्यते।
Transliteration: Na hi jnanena sadrsham pavitram iha vidyate.
Source: Bhagavad Gita 4.38
Meaning: Nothing is as pure as knowledge.
Explanation: Knowledge purifies and uplifts.

9.

Sanskrit: मुनयोर्न पथ्यतरं विभ्रांतचारिणाम्।
Transliteration: Munyor na pathyataram vibhrantacarinam.
Source: Bhagavad Gita 2.68
Meaning: The sages follow only the right path.
Explanation: Importance of righteousness in life.

10.

Sanskrit: तस्मादसक्तः सततं कार्यं कर्म समाचर।
Transliteration: Tasmad asaktah satatam karyam karma samachara.
Source: Bhagavad Gita 3.19
Meaning: Therefore, act without attachment, always perform your duty.
Explanation: Detached and continuous action for success.


11.

Sanskrit: अशोच्यानन्वशोचनं प्रसूतानामपि चाप्युत।
न च शोकसंविग्नमानसा स्मृता देहिनः।
Transliteration: Ashochyan anvashochanam prasutanam api chaapyuta.
Na cha shoka samvigna manasa smrita dehinah.
Source: Bhagavad Gita 2.11
Meaning: The wise grieve neither for the living nor the dead.
Explanation: Equanimity amid life and death.

12.

Sanskrit: मनुष्याणां सहस्रेषु कश्चिद्यतति सिद्धये।
Transliteration: Manushyanu sahasreshu kascid yatati siddhaye.
Source: Bhagavad Gita 7.3
Meaning: Among thousands, one strives for perfection.
Explanation: True dedication is rare.

13.

Sanskrit: विद्या ददाति विनयं विनयाद्याति पात्रताम्।
Transliteration: Vidya dadati vinayam vinayad yati patratam.
Source: Hitopadesha
Meaning: Knowledge grants humility; humility leads to worthiness.
Explanation: Humility is crucial for learning.

14.

Sanskrit: अहिंसा परमोधर्मः।
Transliteration: Ahimsa paramo dharmah.
Source: Mahabharata
Meaning: Non-violence is the highest duty.
Explanation: Core personal and societal ethic.

15.

Sanskrit: आचार्य शिष्ययोर्नाशनं ज्ञानं योगो तपश्चरेत्।
Transliteration: Acharya shishyornashanam jnanam yogo tapascharet.
Source: Manusmriti
Meaning: A teacher destroys the disciple’s ignorance through knowledge, yoga, and austerity.
Explanation: Importance of disciplined learning.


16.

Sanskrit: उद्यमेन हि सिध्यन्ति कार्याणि न मनोरथै:।
Transliteration: Udyamena hi sidhyanti karyani na manorathaih.
Source: Bhagavad Gita 18.46
Meaning: Effort, not wishes, leads to success.
Explanation: Stresses hard work.

17.

Sanskrit: यत्र योगेश्वरः कृष्णो यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धरः।
तत्र श्रीर्विजयो भूतिर्ध्रुवा नीतिर्मतिर्मम॥
Transliteration: Yatra yogeshvarah krishno yatra partho dhanurdharah.
Tatra shrir vijayo bhutir dhruva nitir matirmama.
Source: Bhagavad Gita 18.78
Meaning: Where there is Krishna and Arjuna, there is prosperity and victory.
Explanation: Ideal leadership symbolism.

18.

Sanskrit: विद्या विवादाय धनं मदाय शत्रु सेवा।
Transliteration: Vidya vivaday dhanam madaya shatru seva.
Source: Chanakya Niti
Meaning: Knowledge is for argument, wealth for pride, and enemy service for destruction.
Explanation: Wisdom in resource use.

19.

Sanskrit: नास्ति विद्यासमं चक्षु:।
Transliteration: Nasti vidyasamam chakshuh.
Source: Rigveda
Meaning: No eye is like knowledge.
Explanation: Knowledge reveals truth.

20.

Sanskrit: स्वयं प्रकाश इव योगी।
Transliteration: Svayam prakasha iva yogi.
Source: Yoga Sutras
Meaning: The yogi shines by his own light.
Explanation: Enlightenment through discipline.


21.

Sanskrit: धर्मो न हृतज्ञोऽस्ति।
Transliteration: Dharmo na hritajno’sti.
Source: Manusmriti
Meaning: The righteous never lose their faith.
Explanation: Steadfastness in ethics.

22.

Sanskrit: यः सर्वत्रानभिस्नेहस्तत्तत्प्राप्य शुभाशुभम्।
Transliteration: Yah sarvatra anabhisnehah tattat prapya shubhashubham.
Source: Bhagavad Gita 5.7
Meaning: One unattached attains the good and evil.
Explanation: Detachment clarifies judgment.

23.

Sanskrit: आत्मानं रथिनं विद्धि शरीरं रथमेव तु।
Transliteration: Atmanam rathinam viddhi shariram rathameva tu.
Source: Katha Upanishad
Meaning: The self is the rider, the body is the chariot.
Explanation: Self-control analogy.

24.

Sanskrit: सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज।
Transliteration: Sarva dharman parityajya mam ekam sharanam vraja.
Source: Bhagavad Gita 18.66
Meaning: Abandon all dharmas, surrender to Me alone.
Explanation: Ultimate surrender for liberation.

25.

Sanskrit: निराशीर भयहीनः सदा विजयी भवेत्।
Transliteration: Nirashir bhayahinah sada vijayi bhavet.
Source: Mahabharata
Meaning: The fearless and hopeful are always victorious.
Explanation: Courage and hope lead to success.


26.

Sanskrit: यत्र न रोषो न कदाचन।
Transliteration: Yatra na rosho na kadachana.
Source: Bhagavad Gita
Meaning: Where there is no anger.
Explanation: Ideal mindset for peace.

27.

Sanskrit: मानवः सर्वेषां मूलं धर्मः।
Transliteration: Manavah sarvesham mulam dharmah.
Source: Manusmriti
Meaning: Dharma is the root of humanity.
Explanation: Basis of social cohesion.

28.

Sanskrit: नित्यमात्मन्येव भजेत्।
Transliteration: Nityam atmanyeva bhajet.
Source: Bhagavad Gita
Meaning: Always worship the self.
Explanation: Inner awareness.

29.

Sanskrit: आत्मैवासं स्थिता: सदा।
Transliteration: Atmaivasam sthitaḥ sada.
Source: Bhagavad Gita
Meaning: The self is forever present within.
Explanation: Constancy of self.

30.

Sanskrit: वृद्धो न भवति स्वाग्रह:।
Transliteration: Vriddho na bhavati swagrahah.
Source: Hitopadesha
Meaning: Pride does not bring wisdom.
Explanation: Humility is key.

31.

Sanskrit: सत्त्वानुरूपा सर्वस्य श्रद्धा भवति भारत।
Transliteration: Sattvanuroopa sarvasya shraddha bhavati bharata.
Source: Bhagavad Gita
Meaning: Faith varies according to nature.
Explanation: Beliefs reflect character.

32.

Sanskrit: प्रसादे सर्वनिकर्षणम्।
Transliteration: Prasade sarvanikarshanam.
Source: Mantra
Meaning: Achievements come through grace.
Explanation: Blessings enable success.

33.

Sanskrit: कर्तव्यं कर्म नियतं।
Transliteration: Kartavyam karma niyatam.
Source: Bhagavad Gita
Meaning: Duty is to perform prescribed acts.
Explanation: Responsibility is essential.

34.

Sanskrit: आत्मनो मोक्षार्थं जगद्धिताय च।
Transliteration: Atmano mokshartham jagaddhitaya cha.
Source: Bhagavad Gita
Meaning: Work for self-liberation and welfare of the world.
Explanation: Balance spirituality and social good.

35.

Sanskrit: साधुभिर्वचनानि पिबेत।
Transliteration: Sadhubhir vachanani pibet.
Source: Chanakya Niti
Meaning: Absorb wise words.
Explanation: Learn from the virtuous.

36.

Sanskrit: धर्म एव हतो हन्ति धर्मो रक्षति रक्षित:।
Transliteration: Dharma eva hato hanti dharmo rakshati rakshitah.
Source: Manusmriti
Meaning: Dharma, when destroyed, destroys; when preserved, protects.
Explanation: Upholding law benefits society.

37.

Sanskrit: योगः सम्मर्दस्य।
Transliteration: Yogah samardasya.
Source: Bhagavad Gita
Meaning: Yoga means endurance of conflict.
Explanation: Mental strength in adversity.

38.

Sanskrit: न दमनं हिंसात्मकं।
Transliteration: Na damanam hinsatmakam.
Source: Yajurveda
Meaning: Discipline should not be violent.
Explanation: Non-violent control is preferred.

39.

Sanskrit: क्रोधाद्भवति संहारः।
Transliteration: Krodad bhavati sanharah.
Source: Manusmriti
Meaning: Anger leads to destruction.
Explanation: Controlling anger is vital.

40.

Sanskrit: ज्ञानं परमं ध्येयम्।
Transliteration: Jnanam paramam dhyeyam.
Source: Bhagavad Gita
Meaning: Knowledge is the supreme goal.
Explanation: Pursuit of wisdom is paramount.

41.

Sanskrit: श्रद्धया समर्थः स्यात्।
Transliteration: Shraddhaya samarthah syat.
Source: Bhagavad Gita
Meaning: Through faith, one becomes capable.
Explanation: Belief enables achievement.

42.

Sanskrit: सहनशीलता सर्वोत्तमा।
Transliteration: Sahansheelta sarvottama.
Source: Bhagavad Gita
Meaning: Patience is the highest virtue.
Explanation: Essential for endurance.

43.

Sanskrit: पुरुषार्थः भवति सर्वोत्तमः।
Transliteration: Purusharthah bhavati sarvottamah.
Source: Mahabharata
Meaning: Human effort is supreme.
Explanation: Effort leads to success.

44.

Sanskrit: समस्तं दुःखं स्वयं जनक।
Transliteration: Samastam dukham swayam janaka.
Source: Bhagavad Gita
Meaning: All sorrows arise from oneself.
Explanation: Self-control lessens suffering.

45.

Sanskrit: आत्मा न हन्तव्यः।
Transliteration: Atma na hantavyah.
Source: Bhagavad Gita
Meaning: The soul is indestructible.
Explanation: Eternal nature of self.

46.

Sanskrit: मित्रं च शत्रुर्धर्मः।
Transliteration: Mitram cha shatrurdharmah.
Source: Manusmriti
Meaning: Dharma determines friends and foes.
Explanation: Ethics define relationships.

47.

Sanskrit: न बुद्धिर हरति मनुष्यं।
Transliteration: Na buddhir harati manushyam.
Source: Bhagavad Gita
Meaning: Intelligence stays with a person.
Explanation: Wisdom remains amid challenges.

48.

Sanskrit: शीलवतः सहते सर्वम्।
Transliteration: Shilavatah sahate sarvam.
Source: Hitopadesha
Meaning: The virtuous endure all.
Explanation: Patience is strength.

49.

Sanskrit: जीवनं मरणं च एकम्।
Transliteration: Jeevanam maranam cha ekam.
Source: Upanishads
Meaning: Life and death are one.
Explanation: Accept impermanence.

50.

Sanskrit: योगः धर्मः समुपासितः।
Transliteration: Yogah dharmah samupasitah.
Source: Bhagavad Gita
Meaning: Yoga is disciplined righteousness.
Explanation: Integrating ethics and practice.


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