Knowing some popular verses from the world's famous scriptures not only adds to your knowledge, but also comes in handy while speaking or quoting.

For instance, I received this e-mail request from one our readers John D. Thayer Jr. for such a verse: "I am interested in learning at least one traditional 'shloka', for the purposes of my studies of the world's religion."

Here is arguably the most famous verse from the Bhagavad Gita

VERSE IN SANSKRIT

Yada yada hi dharmasya
Glanir bhavati bharata
Abhyutthanam adharmasya
Tadatmanam srjamy aham
~ Bhagavad Gita (Chapter IV-7)

TRANSLATION

Whenever and wherever there is decay
of righteousness, O Bharata,
And a rise of unrighteousness
then I manifest Myself!

OR

Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion--at that time I descend Myself. (Bhagavad Gita As It Is )

SYNONYMS

yada: whenever, yada: wherever, hi: certainly, dharmasya: of religion, glanih: discrepancies, bhavati: manifested, becomes, bharata: O descendant of Bharata (India), abhyutthanam: predominance, adharmasya: of irreligion, tada: at that time, atmanam: self, srjami: manifest, aham: I.