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Reference.org
Subhashita
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<p>A subhashita (Sanskrit: सुभाषित, subhāṣita) is a literary genre of Sanskrit epigrammatic poems and their message is an aphorism, maxim, advice, fact, truth, lesson or riddle. <i>Su</i> in Sanskrit means good; <i>bhashita</i> means spoken; which together literally means well spoken or eloquent saying. </p><p>Subhashitas in Sanskrit are short memorable verses, typically in four <i>padas</i> (verses) but sometimes just two; but their structure follows a meter. Subhashitas are one of many forms of creative works that have survived from ancient and medieval era of India, and sometimes known as <i>Suktis</i>. Ancient and medieval Indian literature created tens of thousands of subhashitas covering a vast range of subjects. </p><p>These epigrammatic verses and their anthologies are also referred to as <i>Subhashitavali</i> or <i>Subhashitani</i>. </p>