Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages of the world and Vedic Sanskrit was a language that dominated the major part of the Indian Subcontinent in ancient times. Thus it is no wonder that Sanskrit quotes embody the essence of ancient Indian philosophy and thought. The Vedas including the oldest of them all, Rigveda, are in Sanskrit, and so are the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita.

Timeless Sanskrit Quotes

Here is a collection of Sanskrit quotes that are true gems of wisdom. We present you with an invaluable collection of timeless Sanskrit quotes, from the ocean of India’s philosophy, religious thought, and ancient culture.

These Sanskrit quotes in many ways represent the very spirit of India, its Dharma, and Karma. These quotes have stood the test of time across thousands of years, and are relevant even today, and shall be relevant in the future too.

Sanskrit Quotes | The Mahavakyas | Sanskrit Quotes In English

There can be no better way to start, than with the Four Mahavakyas or great sayings. The Mahavakyas are profound Sanskrit shlokas that embody the essence of the spiritual and religious thoughts of Hinduism, especially those of Advaita Vedanta. The Mahavakyas are found in the Upanishads.

The first Mahavakya with which we begin our list of Sanskrit quotes is taken from the Aitareya Upanishad, of the Rigveda.

1. प्रज्ञानम् ब्रह्म

Prajñānam Brahma

Knowledge is Brahma. This Mahavakya refers to the fact that Brahma is the knowledge of Brahma or the truth itself.

2. अयम् आत्मा ब्रह्म

Ayam Ātmā Brahma

This Mahavakya is from the Mandukya Upanishad of the Atharvaveda.

The Self is Brahma. This Mahavakya is the essence of the tenets of Advaita and says that the Self(Atma) is a part of Brahma or the consciousness is itself Brahma.

3. तत् त्वम् असि

That Thou Art.

This Mahavakya is found in the Chandogya Upanishad.

4. अहम् ब्रह्मास्मि

I am Brahma.

This Mahavakya is from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.

Sanskrit Quotes On Yoga | Sanskrit Quotes On Karma | Sanskrit Quotes From The Bhagavad Gita

Here are some inspiring Sanskrit quotes from the Bhagavad Gita.

1. जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युर्ध्रुवं जन्म मृतस्य च।
तस्मादपरिहार्येऽर्थे न त्वं शोचितुमर्हसि॥ २-२७

Death is certain for the born, and re-birth is certain for the dead; therefore you should not feel grief for what is inevitable.

2. नैनं छिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावकः।
न चैनं क्लेदयन्त्यापो न शोषयति मारुतः॥ २-२३

Weapons do not cleave the soul, fire does not burn it, waters do not wet it, and the wind does not dry it.

3. हतो वा प्राप्स्यसि स्वर्गं जित्वा वा भोक्ष्यसे महीम्।
तस्मादुत्तिष्ठ कौन्तेय युद्धाय कृतनिश्चयः॥ २-३७

Die, and you will win heaven; conquer, and you will enjoy sovereignty of the earth;
therefore, stand up Arjuna, determined to fight.

4. कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥ २-४७

To work alone you have the right, and not to the fruits. Do not be impelled by the fruits of work.
Nor have an attachment to inaction.

5. बुद्धियुक्तो जहातीह उभे सुकृतदुष्कृते।
तस्माद्योगाय युज्यस्व योगः कर्मसु कौशलम्॥ २-५०

Endowed with equanimity, one sheds in this life both good and evil.
Therefore, strive for the practice of this Yoga of equanimity. Skill in action lies (in the practice of) this Yoga.

6. योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय।
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते॥ २-४८

By being established in Yoga, O Dhananjaya, undertake actions, casting off attachment
and remaining equipoised in success and failure. Equanimity is called Yoga.

7. यदा संहरते चायं कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वशः।
इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता॥ २-५८

One who is able to withdraw the senses from their objects,
just as a tortoise withdraws its limbs into its shell, is established in divine wisdom.

8. विहाय कामान्यः सर्वान्पुमांश्चरति निःस्पृहः।
निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः स शान्तिमधिगच्छति॥ २-७१

That man attains peace who, abandoning all desires, moves about without longing,
without the sense of mine and without egoism.

9. यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः।
तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसङ्गः समाचर॥ ३-९

Man is bound by his own action except when it is performed for the sake of sacrifice.
Therefore, Arjuna, efficiently perform your duty, free from attachment, for the sake of sacrifice alone.

10. इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः।
मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्यो बुद्धेः परतस्तु सः॥ ३-४२

The senses are superior to the gross body, and superior to the senses is the mind.
Beyond the mind is the intellect, and even beyond the intellect is the soul.

Sanskrit Quotes | Sanskrit Quotes In English | Sanskrit Quotes And Shlokas From The Upanishads

1. असतो मा सद्गमय ।
तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय ।
मृत्योर्माऽमृतं गमय ॥
brihadaranyaka 1.3.28

Lead me from unreal to real, from darkness to light and from death to immortality.

2. उद्यानं ते पुरुष नावयानम् ।

Atharvaveda 7.1.6

O Man, may progress be yours not regress.

3. सत्यमेव जयते नानृतं सत्येन पन्था विततो देवयानः।
येनाक्रमन्त्यृषयो ह्याप्तकामा यत्र तत्‌ सत्यस्य परमं निधानम्‌ ॥

Mandukya Upanishad 3.1.6

It is Truth that conquers and not falsehood; by Truth was stretched out the path of the journey of the gods, by which the sages winning their desire ascend there where Truth has its supreme abode.

4. मातृ देवो भव।
पितृ देवो भव।
आचार्य देवो भव।
अतिथि देवो भव॥

Taittiriya Upanishad 1.11.2

Honour thy Mother as God.
Honour thy Father as God.
Honour thy Teacher as God.
Honour thy Guest as God.

5. विद्यां चाविद्यां च यस्तद्वेदोभ्य सह ।
अविद्यया मृत्युं तीर्त्वाऽमृतमश्नुते ॥

Isa Upanishad

One who knows both, the material science as well as the spiritual science, transgresses fear of death by the former, i.e. by proper bodily and mental efforts, and attains salvation by the latter, i.e. by the purity of mind and soul.

6. द्वा सुपर्णा सयुजा सखाया समानं वृक्षं परिषस्वजाते ।
तयोरन्यः पिप्पलं स्वाद्वत्त्यनश्नन्नन्यो अभिचाकशीति ॥

Mandukya Upanishad 3.1.1

Two birds, inseparable companions, perch on the same tree,
one eats the fruit, and the other looks on. The first bird is our
individual self-feeding on the pleasures and pains of this world;
The other is the universal Self, silently witnessing all.

We hope you like our selection of Sanskrit quotes, which are just a few of the pearls of wisdom, that we have curated for you, from the ocean of Hindu thought and philosophy. Subscribe to our blog for more such thought-provoking content, and also follow us on our social media handles.

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