Shlokas

 

A śloka (Sanskrit: श्लोक, also anglicized as shloka or sloka, meaning "song", from the root śru, "hear") is a category of verse line developed from the VedicAnustubh. It is the basis for Indian epic verse, and may be considered the Indian verse form par excellence, occurring, as it does, far more frequently than any other meter in classical Sanskrit poetry. The Mahabharata and Ramayana, for example, are written almost exclusively in shlokas.

 

The shloka is treated as a couplet. Each hemistich (half-verse) of 16 syllables, composed of two Pādas of eight syllables, can take either a pathyā ("normal") form or one of several vipulā ("extended") forms.

 

Sloka usually forms the part of Hindu prayers. Shloka can also be attributed to specific Gods and Goddesses.

 

Sloka is a powerful prayer which conveys the dignity and the omnipotence of God. Sanskrit Shlokas describe God in different forms and their celestial powers. People, who sincerely recite these verses and invoke the God mentally, attain a steady and peaceful mind