300+ Mahabharata Quotes and Wisdom to supercharge your Life

300+ Mahabharata Quotes and Wisdom to supercharge your Life

The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, along with the Ramayana. They have long fascinated cultures all over the world. There has never been a longer poem than the Mahabharata. The longest version contains over 100,000 shlokas (each shloka is a couplet) and lengthy prose passages.

Mahabharata narrates the struggle between two groups of cousins in the Kurukshetra War and the fates of the Kaurava and the Paṇḍava princes and their successors. Additionally, it includes philosophical and devotional material, such as a discussion of four “goals of life.”

Mahabharata has been guiding the nation since ages, not just as a story of a great war but also as a book of wisdom that gave millions of generations the concept of ‘Dharma’.

Among the principal works and stories in the Mahabharata are the-

1. Bhagavad Gita
2. The story of Damayanti
3. The story of Shakuntala
4. The story of Pururava and Urvashi
5. The story of Savitri and Satyavan
6. The story of Kacha and Devayani
7. The story of Rishyasringa
8. An abridged version of the Ramayana

 यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिः भवति भारत,
अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदा आत्मानं सृजामि अहम् |
परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुस्-कृताम्,
 धर्म-संस्थापन-अर्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे ||

Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya
Glanir Bhavati Bharata
Abhyutthanam Adharmasya
 Tadatmanam Srjamy Aham
Paritranaya Sadhunam
Vinasaya Ca Duskritam
Dharma-Samsthapanarthaya
Sambhavami Yuge Yuge

Here is a curated list of 300+ Mahabharata quotes on life, war, karma, dharma, and righteousness.

I hope this will serve as a shining beacon as we navigate through Life.

• Men experience happiness and misery by turn. No man ever enjoys unmixed happiness. A wise man, possessing high wisdom, knowing that life has its ups and downs, is neither filled with joy nor with grief. When happiness comes, one should enjoy it, and when misery comes one should bear it.

• Whatever actions are performed by a man under whatever circumstances, he gets the fruits of those actions under whatever circumstances they may be performed. — Mahabharata

• Anger is the enemy of men difficult to conquer and greed is the endless desire. A good man is one who seeks the welfare of all beings, and a bad man is one who has no compassion or mercy.

• The human form of life is a most asset for the living entity who can utilize it for solving the problems of life; therefore, one who does not utilize this opportunity properly is a miser. — Lord Krishna to Arjuna

• There are two forces: fate and human effort — all men depend on and are bound by these, there is nothing else. — Kripa

• One should practice what one considers to be one’s duty, guided by reasons instead of blindly following the practices of the world.

• A pessimistic ignorant fool is always disturbed by thousands of reasons to cry and hundreds of reasons to be afraid every day. A wise person is never affected by these.

• This is the sum of duty: do naught to others which if done to thee, would cause thee pain. — The Mahabharata

• Cleverness does not always lead to gain nor stupidity to poverty. — The Mahabharata

• Anger is the enemy of men difficult to conquer and covetousness (greed) is the endless desire. A good man is one who seeks welfare of all beings, and a bad man is one who has no compassion or mercy. — The Mahabharata

• The one who seeks success must abandon six vices: drowsiness, sloth, fear, anger, laziness and putting on work to a later time. — Udyogaparva, Mahabharata

• The one who never looks arrogant, never speaks about others with disregard, never says rude words, even if this one has lost self-control — such a person is always liked by everyone. — Udyogaparva, Mahabharata

• If you start a work, take rest only after its completion; otherwise, the (incomplete) work will finish you. — Devarata to King Shantanu

• Time creates all things and time destroys them all. Time burns all creatures and time again extinguishes that fire.

• What is a greater happiness to a father than what the father feels when his son, running to him, clasps him with his tiny little arms, though his body is full of dust and dirt.

• Whatever actions are performed by a man under whatever circumstances, he gets the fruits of those actions under whatever circumstances they may be performed.

• Yaksha:
  What is the invincible enemy of men?
  What is their permanent disease?
  Who is honest?
  Who is dishonest?
  
  Yudhishthira:
  Anger is the most invincible enemy.
  Covetousness is the incurable disease.
  He who is friendly to all creatures is honest.
  And he who is cruel is dishonest.

• Men lose good judgment in things which concern their interest.

• Success that is obtained by negotiations and other means is the best. Success which is secured by creating disunion amongst the enemy is temporary. Success secured by battle is the worst.

• Men experience happiness and misery by turn. No man ever enjoys unmixed happiness. A wise man, possessing high wisdom, knowing that life has its ups and downs, is neither filled with joy nor with grief. When happiness comes, one should enjoy it, and when misery comes one should bear it.

• Pleasant looks, cheerful heart and sweet words are due to a guest. Rising up, the host should advance towards the guest; he should offer him a seat, and duly worship him. This is the eternal Dharma.

• Anger is in this world, the root of the destruction of mankind, The angry man commits a sin; the angry man murders his preceptor; the angry man insults his ciders with harsh words. The angry man cannot distinguish what should be and should not be said by him. there is nothing which cannot be said or done by an angry man.

• A wise man should never contract friendship with the wife of the king nor with other attendants of his, nor with those whom he despises and who are hostile to him.

• Friendship never remains in the world in anyone’s heart without being worn out, Time wears it out, anger destroys it. The poor cannot be the friend of the rich, the unlearned cannot be the friend of the learned, the coward cannot be the friend of the brave. -Drupada to Drona

• Men of immature understanding begin an act without having an eye to what may happen in future.

• A man who starts a fire and then covers it up in a garment, sorrows when he is scorched. Such a person is not regarded as learned.

• I know what is right, but I cannot do it; I know what is wrong but cannot desist from doing it. — Duryodhana

• Nobody is nobody’s friend, nobody is nobody’s well-wisher, persons become friends or enemies only from motives of interest. -Bhisma

• A person should never do that to others, which he does not like to be done to him by others. -Bhisma

• There are two forces: fate and human effort — All men depend on and are bound by these, there is nothing else. — (Kripa in Mahabharata)

• A true holy bath consists in washing the mind clean of all impurities.

• Anger is a great vice. So too is pride. Together they can destroy a man’s commonsense. Their explosive combination can even destroy his basic sense of self preservation.

• If you start a work, take rest only after its completion; otherwise, the (incomplete) work will finish you. -Bhisma to King Shantanu

• Seek information, but not from the unreliable; ask for advice but not from the unwise…

• Be generous, not wasteful; give, not indiscriminately…

• The body of a man is like the chariot; his soul, the driver; and his senses, the horses. Drawn by those excellent steeds when well trained, he that is wise and patient, performs life’s journey in peace. -Vidura

• Wrath is a bitter remedy for evils, it causes malady in the head, destroys fame, and is a source of sinful acts. It ought to be controlled by a good man and those that do not control it are bad men. -Sanjaya

• The root of all mental ailments is affection. Affection makes a man attached and that leads to misery.

• Just as water quenches fire, knowledge quenches mental ailments.

• Valor at the right place and right time is recommended for our welfare.

• A war guarantees victory only if it is at the right time and the right place. But if it is conducted at the wrong time, it does not bring any fruits.

• It is better for one to live on alms than to kill. -Sanjaya

• Just as a hot iron ball affects the water in a pot, mental pain affects the body.

• Every kind of happiness and unhappiness results from attachment.

• Attachment is the root of all unhappiness and attachment causes fear.

• A person of good acts and good, agreeable, and sweet speech has no equal.

• Let a man fix his mind on the reality and having done this, he will transcend time.

• Do throughout your life that which will bring happiness in your life hereafter.

• War causes destruction to all, it is sinful, it creates hell, it gives the same result in victory and defeat alike. -Sanjaya

• There are many evils in battle: the first and the foremost is slaughter. Victory is always uncertain. It depends on chance. Even those that obtain victory must suffer losses. -Vyasa

• The man who suffers evil for his own misconduct should not attribute it to others. -SANJAYA

• They that are desirous of victory do not so much conquer by might and prowess, as by truth, compassion, piety, and virtue. Fight without any arrogance, for victory is certain to be there where righteousness is. -Sanjaya

• In this world, the relationship between the virtuous is more important than a relationship resulting from birth. -Bhishma to Karna

• He indeed is called wise who is not swayed from his goal by anger, delight, pride, shame, arrogance, or self-importance. He indeed is called wise whose actions are not affected by climatic changes — heat and cold — fear, lust, and change of fortune — prosperity or poverty.

• Men that are heroic, virtuous, and most exalted, having defeated an enemy, neither boast of themselves with harsh words, nor indulge in abusive language. -Sanjaya

• Passion, engagement, skill, and policy — these are the means to accomplish objectives. -Ashwatthama

• The biggest drawback of anger is that it cannot differentiate between good and bad. -Bhishma Pitamha to Arjuna

• Fools are those trying to teach the one who cannot be taught and those talking to the one who listens to them with mistrust.

• Sorrow comes after happiness, and happiness comes after sorrow; One does not always suffer sorrow, nor always enjoy happiness. -Vyasa

• Words are invaluable, speak them if you must. Weigh them carefully before you speak them out. -Yudhishthira to Draupadi

• Sometimes lying is as good as speaking truth.

• This body which is the conglomeration of the five elements is governed only by Time. Nothing else is able either to protect it or to destroy it. — (Sage Narada Advice to Yudhishtira)

• Swayed by pride, men walk in paths that are unrighteous. None among them succeeds in attaining his real nature.

• Conquer anger with forgiveness, win the wicked with kindness, educate the niggardly (ungenerous with time, money etc.) with generosity, overcome injustice with truth.

• What is weightier (more sustaining) than the earth? — Mother
  What is higher than the sky? — Father (bestower of more benefits)
  What is swifter than the wind? — Mind
  What is more numerous than grass? -Thoughts (of a sorrow-stricken mind) are more numerous than grass.

• Men experience satisfaction and hopelessness by turn. No man appreciates unmixed satisfaction. An insightful man, having high shrewdness, realizing that life has its good and bad times, is neither loaded up with satisfaction nor with sadness. At the point when joy comes, one ought to appreciate it, and when wretchedness comes one should bear it.

• Men lose practical insight in things which concern their advantage.

• You have the right to perform your actions, but you are not entitled to the fruits of the actions. Do not let the fruit be the purpose of your actions, and therefore you won’t be attached to not doing your duty.

• Once war has been undertaken, no peace is made by pretending there is no war.

• You see the faults of others, even though they are as small as a mustard seed. But you do not see your own, even though they can be seen as large as a Bilva fruit. … O Duhshanta! My birth is nobler than your own. O lord of kings! You are established on earth. But I roam the sky. Know that the difference between you and me is that between a mustard seed and Mount Meru.

• One who does not see impurities in one’s acts, is not expected to see it in another. Adiparva

• Anger is the most invincible enemy. Covetousness is an incurable disease. He who is friendly to all creatures is honest. And he who is cruel is dishonest. — Aranya Parva

• I do not blame you, O King, for hitting an innocent man. For, cruelty comes quickly to the powerful.

• These three people are the golden flowers that blossom on the creeper named Earth — the courageous, the learned and the person who knows to serve.

• But if a crime doesn’t find a punisher, many in the world will commit crimes. A man who has the power to punish a crime and doesn’t do so, despite knowing that a crime has been committed, is himself tainted by the deed, even if he is the lord. — Adi Parva

• Revenge is not always better, but neither is forgiveness; learn to know them both, so that there is no problem. — Prahalad to Draupadi

• Anger is in this world, the root of the destruction of mankind, The angry man commits a sin; the angry man murders his preceptor; the angry man insults his ciders with harsh words. The angry man cannot distinguish what should be and should not be said by him. there is nothing that cannot be said or done by an angry man. — Aranya Parva

• Abandon all varieties of dharmas and simply surrender unto me alone. I shall liberate you from all sinful reactions; do not fear. — Krishna To Arjuna

• To save a family, abandon a man; to save the village, abandon a family; to save the country, abandon a village; to save the soul, abandon the earth. — Vidura to Kavya

• A grey head does not make an elder. …. Not by years, not by grey hairs, not by riches or many relations did the seers make the Law: He is great to us who has learned. — Astavakra

• I do not blame you, Maharaja, for hitting an innocent man. For, cruelty comes quickly to the powerful. — Yudhishthira

• A man should avoid these six like a leaking boat in the ocean: a teacher who does not teach, a priest who has not studied, a king who fails to protect, a wife who is abusive, a cowherd who wants a village, and a barber who wants a forest. — Vidura

• Once war has been undertaken, no peace is made by pretending there is no war. — Duryodhana

• Well, I shall now tell you something more. With even a thousand (explanations), one that has a bad understanding succeeds not in acquiring knowledge. One, however, that is endured with intelligence succeeds in attaining happiness, through only a fourth share (of explanations). — Krishna

• Without doubt, all kings, O son, must once see Hell. — Dharma

• Youth, beauty, life, accumulated wealth, health, loved ones none of them are permanent. A wise man will never run behind these.

• Those prone to get drunk, get drunk on knowledge, wealth, and good birth; but the same are triumphs of the strict.

• Draupadi said, -Why, O Pratikamin, dost thou say so? What prince is there who playeth staking his wife? The king was certainly intoxicated with dice. Else, could he not find any other object to stake?

• The Pratikamin said, — ‘When he had nothing else to stake, it was then that Ajatasatru, the son of Pandu, staked thee. The king had first staked his brothers, then himself, and then thee, O princess.

• Draupadi said, — ‘O son of the Suta race, go, and ask that gambler present in the assembly, whom he hath lost first himself, or me. Ascertaining this, come hither, and then take me with thee, O son of the Suta race. — Mahabharata

• I am the beginning, the middle, and the end of the creation. — Sri Krishna

• A wound inflicted by arrows heals, a woodcut down by an axe grows, but harsh words are hateful? a wound inflicted by them does not heal. Arrows of different sorts can be extracted from the body, but a word-dart cannot be drawn out, for it is seated in the heart.

• When the Gods deal defeat to a person, they first take his mind away, so that he sees things wrongly. Time does not raise a stick and clobber a man’s head; the power of Time is just this upended view of things. — Dhritarashtra

• Truth was found heavier than a hundred horse-sacrifices. O king, Truth, I ween, may be equal to the study of, the entire Vedas and ablutions in all holy places. There is no virtue equal to Truth: there is nothing superior to Truth. O king, Truth is God himself; Truth is the highest vow. — Sambhava Parva

• The intoxication with power is worse than drunkenness with liquor and such, for who is drunk with power does not come to his senses before he falls. — Mahabharata

• People who never raise a voice against the injustice in front of them, has no right to live. — Krishna

• Good action, you will get happiness. Bad actions, you will get misery. To get anything one must act, perform. Without action, one does not get anything. — Mahabharata

• Friendship never remains in the world in anyone’s heart without being worn out, Time wears it out, anger destroys it. The poor cannot be the friend of the rich, the unlearned cannot be the friend of the learned, the coward cannot be the friend of the brave. — Drupada

• Lovely looks, lively heart and sweet words are because of a visitor. Ascending, the host should progress towards the visitor; he should offer him a seat, and properly love him. This is the interminable Dharma. — Aranyaka Parva

• Karmanye Vadhikaraste, Ma phaleshou kada chana,
  Ma Karma Phala Hetur Bhurmatey Sangostva Akarmani
  
  You have the right to perform your actions, but you are not entitled to the fruits of the actions. Do not let the fruit be the purpose of your actions, and therefore you won’t be attached to not doing your duty

• bandhur atmatmanas tasya yenatmaivatmana jitah
  anatmanas tu satrutve vartetatmaiva satruvat
  
  For the being who has conquered the mind; that beings mind is the best of friends.
  But for one whose mind is uncontrolled, that very mind acts as the worst of enemies.

• anasritah karma-phalam karyam karma karoti yah
  sa sannyasi ca yogi ca na niragnir na cakriyah
  
  One who enacts obligatory prescribed actions without expectation of the result of actions he is truly a renunciate and a follower of the science of uniting the individual consciousness with the Ultimate consciousness; not one without prescribed duties, nor one who merely renounces bodily activities.

• nakarmanam anarambhan naishkarmyam puruso snute
  na ca sannyasanad eva siddhim samadhigacchati
  
  A person can never achieve freedom from reactions to activities without first performing prescribed Vedic duties; neither can perfection be attained by renouncing them as well.

• Time creates all things and time destroys them all. Time burns all creatures and time again extinguishes that fire. — Anukramanika Parva, Adi Parva

• What is a greater happiness to a father than what the father feels when his son, running to him, clasps him with his tiny little arms, though his body is full of dust and dirt. — Sambhava Parva, Adi Parva

• Friendship never remains in the world in anyone’s heart without being worn out, Time wears it out, anger destroys it. The poor cannot be the friend of the rich, the unlearned cannot be the friend of the learned, the coward cannot be the friend of the brave. — Drupada to Drona, Sambhava Parva, Adi Parva

• Men of immature understanding begin an act without having an eye to what may happen in future. — Rajshuyarambha Parva, Sabha Parva

• Whatever actions are performed by a man under whatever circumstances, he gets the fruits of those actions under whatever circumstances they may be performed. — Krishna, Jarasandhabadha Parva Sabha Parva

• Men experience happiness and misery by turn. No man ever enjoys unmixed happiness. A wise man, possessing high wisdom, knowing that life has its ups and downs, is neither filled with joy nor with grief. When happiness comes, one should enjoy it, and when misery comes one should bear it. — Vrihi Drounika Parva, Aranya Parva

• Pleasant looks, cheerful heart and sweet words are due to a guest. Rising up, the host should advance towards the guest; he should offer him a seat, and duly worship him. This is the eternal Dharma. — Aranyaka Parva, Aranya Parva

• Anger is in this world, the root of the destruction of mankind, The angry man commits a sin; the angry man murders his preceptor; the angry man insults his ciders with harsh words. The angry man cannot distinguish what should be and should not be said by him. there is nothing which cannot be said or done by an angry man. — Yudhishthira, Arjunabhigamana Parva, Aranya Parva

• A wise man should never contract friendship with the wife of the king nor with other attendants of his, nor with those whom he despises and who are hostile to him. — Pandava Pravesha Parva, Virata Parva

• War causes destruction to all, it is sinful, it creates hell, it gives the same result in victory and defeat alike. — Sanjaya, Udyoga Parva

• Wrath is a bitter remedy for evils, it causes malady in the head, destroys fame, and is a source of sinful acts. It ought to be controlled by a good man and those that do not control it are bad men. — Sanjaya, Udyoga Parva

• The body of a man is like the chariot; his soul, the driver; and his senses, the horses. Drawn by those excellent steeds when well trained, he that is wise and patient, performs life’s journey in peace.: — Vidura, Udyoga Parva

• Men lose good judgment in things which concern their interest. Dhritrashtra, Bhishma Parva

• Success that is obtained by negotiations and other means is the best. Success which is secured by creating disunion amongst the enemy is temporary. Success secured by battle is the worst. — Vyasa, Bhishma Parva

• There are many evils in battle: the first and the foremost is slaughter. Victory is always uncertain. It depends on chance. Even those that obtain victory must suffer losses. — Vyasa, Bhishma Parva

• The man who suffers evil for his own misconduct should not attribute it to others. — ANJAYA, Bhishma Parva

• They that are desirous of victory do not so much conquer by might and prowess, as by truth, compassion, piety, and virtue. Fight without any arrogance, for victory is certain to be there where righteousness is. — Sanjaya, Bhishma Parva

• It is better for one to live on alms than to kill. — Sanjaya, Bhishma Parva

• In this world, the relationship between the virtuous is more important than a relationship resulting from birth. — Bhishma to Karna, Drona Parva

• Men that are heroic, virtuous, and most exalted, having defeated an enemy, neither boast of themselves with harsh words, nor indulge in abusive language. — Sanjaya, Drona Parva

• Passion, engagement, skill, and policy — these are the means to accomplish objectives. — Ashwatthama, Karna Parva

• Many people maintain that morality can be learned from the scriptures alone; I do not find fault with that, but then everything is not provided in the scriptures. Moral precepts have been made for the well-being of all creatures. Moral precepts have been made to free the creatures from all injuries. Dharma — morality — is so called because it protects all. Morality saves all creatures. That is moral that keeps creatures from injuries. An untruth spoken to save creatures from injuries is in the cause of morality and does not amount to a falsehood. — KRISHNA, Karna Parva

• Sorrow comes after happiness, and happiness after sorrow; One does not always suffer sorrow, nor always enjoy happiness. — Vyasa, Shanti Parva

• Nobody is nobody’s friend, nobody is nobody’s well-wisher, persons become friends or enemies only from motives of interest. — Bhishma, Shanti Parva

• A person should never do that to others, which he does not like to be done to him by others. Bhishma, Shanti Parva

• It is he who is never discouraged who greatens and tastes the eternal joy.

• Nothing is superior to truthfulness, nor anything more terrible than falsehood.

• By dominating the senses, one increases the intelligence.

• Gold is tested by the fire, the good man by his acts, heroes by perils, the prudent man by difficult circumstances, friends, and enemies by needs.

• Like a fish that does not know anything other than water to be its element, so a deluded one foolishly falls in Prakriti’s net and migrates from body to body like a fish, from one body of water to another, thinking that water is the element in which it alone can live.

• As experience can seldom be gained but by travelling in regions remote from one’s home, so salvation can never be attained except by acting according to principles that are very high, compared with the ordinary level of our desire and propensities.

• Every act should be done thoroughly; one should be always heedful. For, such a minute thing as a thorn, if extracted badly, leads to obstinate gangrene.

• As greed grows, ignorance grows with it, the root of greediness is but loss of clear thinking, loss of judgment, and so ignorance is an inseparable companion of greed.

• The words of truth are good. But words that bring goodness are better than truth. Those words that bring goodness to the living indeed constitute truth. This is my verdict.

• Just fasting cannot wash off sins. Fasting dries up flesh and blood only.

• The penance of one who practices non-violence becomes everlasting. He always gets the merits of performing sacrifices. One who is non-violent is like a mother and father to all living beings.

• A companion is a friend for the traveler. The wife is a friend for one who stays at home. A doctor is a friend for the diseased; and charity is a friend for one who is dying.
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• Awareness of self is immortality, and false knowledge which cause unawareness of the Self is indeed real death.

• Those who are attached to the senses and are driven by desire and identify themselves with their bodies lead hollow lives devoid of any significance and undergo repeated cycles of birth and death.

• The wise ones, overcoming desires, destroy all karma, good as well as bad, and become free from birth and death.

• Through realization of the Supreme Self, death truly gets conquered.

• Death conquers only those who identify themselves with bodily life.

• Death overpowers a man who thinks: This has been done, this is yet to be done, and this is half done.

• O desire! I have understood your root cause. You are caused by samkalpa (intention). If I don’t make any samkalpa, then you will be destroyed with your roots.

• Everyday people go to the abode of the King of Death, and yet those who remain hope to live forever. What can be a greater wonder than this?

• There are those who only see the honey atop a tree and not the fall. They sorrow when their greed for honey dislodges them.

• A man who starts a fire and then covers it up in a garment, sorrows when he is scorched. Such a person is not regarded as learned.

• Whatever is there in this world to be known concerning the various ways and goal of life, is there in this book; and whatever is not here is nowhere to be found. (Sage Vyasa on the Mahabharata.)

• Listen to the essence of dharma. Having heard it, try to hold on to it. This is the essence of dharma — what you consider as unpleasant and harmful to yourself, do not do to others.’ (In other words, do unto others what you want others to do unto you.)

• ‘I know what is right, but I cannot do it; I know what is wrong but cannot desist from doing it.’ (Duryodhana in the Mahabharata)

• There are two forces: fate and human effort — All men depend on and are bound by these, there is nothing else. (Kripa in Mahabharata)

• The intoxication with power is worse than drunkenness with liquor and such, for who is drunk with power does not come to his senses before he falls. (Vidura in Mahabharata)

• It is he who is never discouraged who greatens and tastes the eternal joy.

• Never goes a sin without its due return; and deeds of noble goodness, or dire sin, bear their just fruit, here, in this very life. Never is there escape from consequence because the Great Judge dwells within each heart….

• Seek information, but not from the unreliable; ask for advice but not from the unwise…

• When a person abstains from doing wrong to any creature, in thought, word, or deed, he is said to attain to the state of oneness with God…

• Be generous, not wasteful; give, not indiscriminately…

• The root of all mental ailments is affection. Affection makes a man attached and that leads to misery.

• Just as water quenches fire, knowledge quenches mental ailments.

• Something that is thought of in one way, may turn out to be another.

• Those who are learned in the ancient accounts have said that a war is the worst.

• Valor at the right place and right time is recommended for our welfare.

• The learned do not gauge how much of load a chariot can take on the words of its maker.

• A war guarantees victory only if it is at the right time and the right place. But if it is conducted at the wrong time, it does not bring any fruits.

• Just as a hot iron ball affects the water in a pot, mental pain affects the body.

• Attachment is the root of all unhappiness and attachment causes fear.

• Every kind of happiness and unhappiness results from attachment.

• It is attachment that leads to the desire for material objects. Both are evil, but attachment is more evil than the desire for material objects.

• Gold is tested by the fire, the good man by his acts, heroes by perils, the wise man by difficult circumstances, friends, and enemies by great needs.

• With kindness conquer rage; with goodness malice; with generosity defeat all meanness; with the straight truth defeat lies and deceit.

• Time is the seed of the universe.

• Self-restraint, forgiveness, patience, energy, contentment, truthfulness of speech, modesty, abstention from injury, from the evil practices and cleverness, these are productive of happiness.

• A person of good acts and good, agreeable, and sweet speech has no equal.

• Let a man fix his mind on the reality and having done this, he will transcend time.

• This is the sum of duty. Do nothing at all to others which would cause you pain if done to you.

• Faults as small as mustard seed you see very well in others but faults as large as a melon of your own you never see.

• Do throughout your life that which will bring happiness in your life hereafter.

• What is more numerous than grass? — The thoughts that arise in the mind of man are more numerous.

• What is the highest refuge of virtue? — Liberty is the highest refuge of virtue.

• Who is the friend granted by gods to man? — The wife is the friend bestowed on man by the gods.

• The most valuable of all possessions? — Knowledge

• The best of all gains? — Health.

• The best of all kinds of happiness? — Contentment.

• Pride is a consciousness of ones being himself an actor or sufferer in life.

• Patience is subjugating the senses.

• A true holy bath consists in washing the mind clean of all impurities.

• Study of the Vedas is not enough if a man does not conduct himself properly.

• The most wonderful thing in this world is that day after day there enter the temple of death countless lives. Looking on this spectacle, the rest of them, those who remain, believe themselves to be permanent, immortal.

• Anger is a great vice. So too is pride. Together they can destroy a man’s commonsense. Their explosive combination can even destroy his basic sense of self preservation.

• When a person is strong, valorous, skilled, and intelligent, why question his lineage? Like a river’s noble course, deeds should proclaim the warrior.

• Though one may be reputed to be a great teacher, it is his student’s prowess that will prove the worth of his teachings. Not just by words but by deeds must he prove his merit as a great teacher.

• The learned are of the opinion that death results from ignorance. Ignorance is death and so, knowledge, the absence of ignorance, is immortality.

• The pursuit of Brahman or self-knowledge is immortality.

• Swayed by pride, men walk in paths that are unrighteous. None among them succeeds in attaining his real nature.

• The natural inclination of man towards pursuits that are unreal is alone the cause of the senses being misled. The soul that is constantly affected by the pursuit of objects that are unreal, worships only earthly enjoyments that surround it. The desire for enjoyment first strikes a man. Lust and wrath soon follow behind. These three lead foolish men to death.

• Our scriptures enjoin that everyone must speak the truth. In our tradition, no spiritual austerity is considered superior to the practice of truthfulness.

• It is sometimes difficult to determine how to practice truthfulness in extreme situations. In a situation where telling a lie is as spiritually beneficial as speaking truth there is no harm in lying.

• If being truthful is spiritually harmful, then it is better to lie. Lying should never be for selfish gains.

• Sometimes lying is as good as speaking truth.

• Those who understand the deeper meaning of righteousness do not see any unrighteousness in one who lies to save innocent lives.

• Grieve not for anyone. This world is entirely in the hands in the Lord. He is the one Who brings people together; makes them live together for a while and then part forever.

• Consider the bullock. The master pierces its nostrils and threads a rope through it. He then loads the back of the animal with the burden it must carry. The bullock must move in the direction in which the master pulls the rope, and it must carry the burden the master chooses to place on its back. It has no choice in the matter. Even so, man is tied by the ropes whose names are Rules of Conduct: Dharma.

• Propelled by Dharma man carries to the Home of the Lord the burdens imposed on him. No man is free to do as he pleases.

• When a child plays with toys he brings a few of them together, plays with them for a while and separates them as suits his whim. Even so, human beings are brought together in this world, and they are parted by the wish of the Lord.

• Consider the essential truth about the life of every human being. The human body is impermanent as you know. And the atman is imperishable. Considered either way, there is no cause to mourn the disappearance of the elders.

• This body which is the conglomeration of the five elements is governed only by Time. Nothing else is able either to protect it or to destroy it.

• That which upholds is called dharma; all beings are sustained by dharma.

• Anything that can hold things together — know it for certain, that is dharma.

• Do not do to others what is not agreeable to oneself. This, in brief, is dharma; everything else proceeds from desire.

• The wise speak of dharma as residing in the minds of all beings. Therefore, let goodwill flow for all beings from the mind.

• He indeed is called wise who is not swayed from his goal by anger, delight, pride, shame, arrogance, or self-importance. (Mahabharata, 5.33.17)

• He indeed is called wise whose actions are not affected by climatic changes — heat and cold — fear, lust, and change of fortune — prosperity or poverty. – Mahabharata, 5.33.19)

• What is heavier than earth, higher than mountains, faster than wind and more numerous than straws?

• Yudhishthira: One’s mother is heavier than earth; one’s father is higher than mountains. The mind is faster than wind and our worries are more numerous than straws.

• What is more in number than grasses? What does not close its eyes while sleeping? What does not move even after birth? What does not have a heart? What grows with speed? Who is a friend, for one who goes abroad?

• Yudhishthira: Worries outnumber grasses. The fish does not close its eyes while sleeping (symbolism of ever awake atman). Eggs do not move even after birth. A stone does not have a heart. The river grows with speed. Education is the only friend of people who go abroad.

• What is that which, when renounced, makes one loveable? What is that which when renounced makes one happy and wealth?

• Yudhishthira: Pride, if renounced makes one lovable, by renouncing desire one become wealthy, and to by renouncing avarice one becomes happy.

• Whatever is here, is found elsewhere. But what is not here, is nowhere else. (The Book of the Beginning)

• Poets have told it before, poets are telling it now, other poets shall tell this history on earth in the future. (The Book of the Beginning)

• Mortification is not dregs, Vedic study is not dregs, and the nature-given rules of the Veda are not dregs, the vigorous acquisition of wealth is not dregs — but that is what they become when they are beaten by the beings. – (The Book of the Beginning)

• All this is rooted in Time, to be or not to be, to be happy or not to be happy.

• To save a family, abandon a man; to save the village, abandon a family; to save the country, abandon a village; to save the soul, abandon the earth. – Vidura quoting Kavya (The Book of the Assembly Hall)

• When the Gods deal defeat to a person, they first take his mind away, so that he sees things wrongly. ………….. Time does not raise a stick and clobber a man’s head; the power of Time is just this upended view of things. — Dhrtarastra (The Book of the Assembly Hall)

• Discontent is the root of fortune. — Duryodhana (The Book of the Assembly Hall)

• Revenge is not always better, but neither is forgiveness; learn to know them both, son, so that there is no problem. — Prahlada (quoted by Draupadi) (The Book of the Forest)

• A grey head does not make an elder. …. Not by years, not by grey hairs, not by riches or many relations did the seers make the Law: He is great to us who has learning. — Astavakra (The Book of the Forest)

• Those seeds of grains they call rice and so forth, they are all alive, good brahmin, what do you think of that? ……. Come to think of it, no one fails here to hurt. — Hunter to the brahmin who was critical of hunting and meat eating (The Book of the Forest)

• Be he ever so wise and strong, wealth confounds a man. In my view, anyone living in comfort fails to reason. — Nahusa (in the form of a boa) (The Book of the Forest)

• When shown the door, take the door, and put no trust in kings. — Dhaumya to Yudhisthira (The Book of Virata)

• I do not blame you, Maharaja, for hitting an innocent man. For, cruelty comes quick to the powerful. — Yudhisthira to Virata (The Book of Virata)

• A man should avoid these six like a leaking boat in the ocean: a teacher who does not teach, a priest who has not studied, a king who fails to protect, a wife who is abusive, a cowherd who wants a village, and a barber who wants a forest. — Vidura (The Book of the Effort)

• Those prone to get drunk get drunk on knowledge, wealth, and good birth; but the same are triumphs of the strict. — Vidura (The Book of the Effort)

• The intoxication with power is worse than drunkeness with liquor and such, for who is drunk with power does not come to his senses before he falls. — Vidura (The Book of the Effort)

• Cleverness does not always lead to gain nor stupidity to poverty. — Vidura (The Book of the Effort)

• Man is not the master of destiny, but a wooden doll that is strung on a string. — Dhrtarastra (The Book of the Effort)

• Once war has been undertaken, no peace is made by pretending there is no war. — Duryodhana (The Book of the Effort)

• There are two forces: fate and human effort — All men depend on and are bound by these, there is nothing else. — Krpa (The Book of the Sleeping Warriors)

• He is a fool that practices truth without knowing the difference between truth and falsehood. — Krishna to Arjuna (The Book of Karna)

• Morality is even so difficult of being understood. — Krishna to Arjuna (The Book of Karna)

• Janaka said: Unlimited is my wealth. At the same time, I have nothing. If the whole of (my Kingdom) Mithila be consumed in a conflagration, I shall incur no loss of wealth. (The Book of Peace)

• On should practice what one considers to be one’s duty, guided by reasons, instead of blindly following the practices of the world. — Tuladhara, the merchant to the Brahman Jajali (The Book of Peace)

• What thy thyself said unto me at that time (at the approach of the Battle), Kesava, through affection, has, all been forgotten by me … Repeatedly, however, have I been curious about these truths. Arjuna to Krishna (The Book of the Horse Sacrifice)

• It is exceedingly disagreeable to me to learn that thou didst not, from folly, receive what I imparted. The recollection of all that I told thee on that occasion will not come to me now. Krishna to Arjuna (The Book of the Horse Sacrifice)

• Brahma said: Well, I shall now tell you something more. With even a thousand (explanations), one that has a bad understanding succeeds not in acquiring knowledge. One, however, that is endured with intelligence succeeds in attaining happiness, through only a fourth share (of explanations). — Krishna to Arjuna quoting …. (The Book of the Horse Sacrifice)

• All this has Time for its root. Time is indeed the seed of the universe, O Dhanajaya. It is time again, that withdraws everything at its pleasure. – Vyasa to Arjuna (The Book of the Clubs)

• Without doubt, all kings, O son, must once see Hell. — Dharma to Yudhisthira (The Book of Ascent to Heaven)

• Time brings existence and non-existence, pleasure, and pain. Time creates all elements and time destroys all beings. … Time cannot be conquered. Time walks in all elements, pervasive and impartial. [Sanjaya to Dhritarashtra, Anukramanika Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 1]

• There is no curse that does not have a remedy. O snakes! But he who has been cursed by his mother has no remedy. [Vasuki, Astika Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 33]

• One who is afflicted by destiny can find a remedy in destiny alone. — [Elapatra to Vasuki, Astika Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 34]

• This single strand of grass that you see, the one from which we are hanging, is the strand of our family lineage. O Brahmana! The strands that you see being eaten up, are being eaten up by time. O Brahmana! The half-eaten root from which we are all hanging is the last of our lineage, practising austerities. O Brahmana! The rat that you see is time, immensely powerful. He is slowly killing the misguided Jaratkaru, engaged in austerities, who is greedy for austerities, but has lost his mind and senses. [Ancestors to Jaratkaru, Astika Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 41]

• According to the sacred texts, there are three kinds of fathers. In proper order, they are the one who gives a body, the one who protects and the one who provides food. [Shakuntala describing to King Duhshanta what Sage Kanwa told her about her birth. Sambhava Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 66]

• Those who have wives can be householders. Those who have wives are happy. Those who have wives have good fortune. Sweet-spoken wives are friends in solitude, fathers in religious acts and mothers in suffering.
• [Shakuntala to Duhshanta, Sambhava Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 68]

• The wise have said that a man is himself born as his son. Therefore, a man should regard the mother of his son as his own mother. … The wife is the sacred ground in which the husband is born again. Even sages are unable to have offspring without wives.
• [Shakuntala to Duhshanta, Sambhava Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 68]

• You see the faults of others, even though they are as small as a mustard seed. But you do not see your own, even though they can be seen as large as a bilva fruit. … O Duhshanta! My birth is nobler than your own. O lord of kings! You are established on earth. But I roam the sky. Know that the difference between you and me is that between a mustard seed and Mount Meru. — [Shakuntala to King Duhshanta, Sambhava Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 69]

• Like a pig searches out filth, the fool seeks out evil words, when he hears good and evil in men’s speech. … Those who seek no evil live happily. But fools are happy when they find evil. [Shakuntala to King Duhshanta, Sambhava Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 69]

• From this day, if a stupid Brahmana commits the crime of drinking wine, he will be considered to have committed the crime of killing a brahmana.
• [Kavya (Shukra) after bringing Kacha back to life, Sambhava Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 71]

• Nevertheless, you have cursed me, not out of dharma, but out of desire. Therefore, your desire will never be satisfied. No rishi’s son will ever accept your hand. You have said that my knowledge will never bear fruit. So be it. But it will bear fruit for the one I teach it to. [Kacha to Devayani, Sambhava Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 72]

• I also know the difference between anger and forgiveness and the strength and weakness of each. But when a disciple behaves disrespectfully towards a preceptor, it should not be condoned. [Devayani to Shukra, Sambhava Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 74]

• Unlike a cow, the fruits of evil actions are not immediate. Such fruits are certainly manifested, if not in one’s own life, in one’s son or in one’s grandson. They are like a heavy meal in the stomach. [Shukra to King Vrishaparva, Sambhava Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 75]

• Sharmishtha said, O king! It is no sin to commit a falsehood in five cases — in jest, to women, at the time of marriage, when confronting death and when all one’s riches are liable to be lost. [Sharmishtha to Yayati, Sambhava Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 77]

• Here, friends and relatives forsake a man who has lost his wealth. There, the gods and their lord forsake one whose merit has been diminished. [Yayati to Ashtaka, Sambhava Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 85]

• Today, I will lay down a law in this world for the fruits of one’s deeds. No sin will be committed by anyone who is below the age of fourteen years. [Animandavya to Dharma, Sambhava Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 101]

• It is said that abandon one for the sake of the lineage. Abandon a lineage for the sake of a village. Abandon a village for the sake of a country. Abandon the earth for the sake of the soul. [Vidura to Dhritarashtra, Sambhava Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 107]

• A man’s judgment does not swallow destiny. Destiny swallows judgment. [Sage Kimdama to Pandu, Sambhava Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 109]

• Time decays everything, including friendship. … No friendship can be found in the world that does not age; desire and anger both destroy it. [Drupada to Drona, Sambhava Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 122]

• Altercations are nothing but the resort of the weak. [Karna to Arjuna, Jatugriha-daha Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 126]

• A wife’s love is stronger than affection for a brother. [Hidimbaa, while looking at Bhima, Hidimba-vadha Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 139]

• What preserves life is holy and, therefore, what grants life is what is holy. [Hidimbaa to Kunti, Hidimba-vadha Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 143]

• The atman may be one, but one must serve dharma, artha and kama. [Brahamana lamenting, Baka-vadha Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 145]

• Great is unhappiness for those who desire wealth, greater for those who have acquired it. [Brahamana lamenting, Baka-vadha Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 145]

• Like birds grabbing a lump of meat thrown on the ground, all men crave women without their husbands. [Brahamani lamenting, Baka-vadha Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 146]

• It is said that first one should find a king, then a wife, and then riches. [Brahamana to Kunti, Baka-vadha Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 148]

• One who does not see impurities in one’s acts, is not expected to see it in another. [Upajaya to Drupada, Chaitraratha Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 155]

• Which hero will kill an enemy who has been defeated in battle, has lost his fame, and is now protected by a woman? [Yudhishtra to Arjuna, Chaitraratha Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 158]

• But if a crime doesn’t find a punisher, many in the world will commit crimes. A man who has the power to punish a crime and doesn’t do so, despite knowing that a crime has been committed, is himself tainted by the deed, even if he is the lord. [Ourva to ancestors, Chaitraratha Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 171]

• On seeing Droupadi, Pritha’s mighty-armed sons and the brave and great-natured twins were struck with the arrows of the god of love. [Droupadi-svayamvara Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 178]

• Then they all looked at the illustrious Krishna who was standing there. They looked at each other and sat down, her image in their hearts. [Droupadi-svayamvara Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 182]

• Where has Krishna gone? Who has taken her away? Is it a Shudra or one of low birth? Has a Vaishya who pays taxes placed his feet on my head? [Drupada asks Dhrishtadyumna, Droupadi-svayamvara Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 184]

• He was a king who had no abilities. All that he did was breathe air in and out. [Karna on King Amuvicha, Viduragamana Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 196]

• But there is no defeat in appeasement. [Krishna to Balarama, Harana Harika Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 213]

• A second load always loosens the first tie, however strong. [Droupadi to Arjuna, Harana Harika Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 213]

• He who casts off that which he has, for the sake of that which might be there, is stupid and the world disregards him. [Mandala to Lapita, Khandava-daha Parva, Adi Parva, Ch 224]

• Moreover, that king of astonishing power and heroism who maintained purest dharma considered what would confer benefit on all people; best of all experts in dharma, Yudhisthira showed kindness to all his subjects and worked for the benefit of all, with no discrimination. So, the people flourished under his paternal care, and no one hated him; hence he was known as Ajatasatru, ‘Man without enemies.’ Vaisampayan (Page 89)

• Great king, if this blood from my nose had fallen on the ground, you and your kingdom would have perished, make no doubt! But I do not blame you for striking someone blameless, O king, for harshness quickly takes possession of the powerful. Yudhisthira (Page 285)

• Even the seers are perplexed about what is action and what is inaction, so I shall explain action to you; when you know it, you will be freed from evil. Krsna (Page 358)

• I am Time, destroyer of worlds, fully developed, and I have set out here to bring the worlds to their end. Even without your presence in battle, all these warriors arrayed in opposing ranks will cease to be. Krsna (Page 363)

• Many enemy heads, with fine noses, faces and hair, free from wounds, decked with lovely earrings, their lower lips bitten in rage, flowing with much blood, covered with beautiful garlands, diadems and turbans, resplendent with diamonds and jewels, seeming like stemless lotuses, or the sun or moon, well-perfumed heads that once spoke kind words to friends, were scattered by Arjuna’s son upon the earth. Samjaya

• Describing Abhimanyu laying waste to the Kaurava army, Samjaya offers a decadent account of the carnage on the battlefield. This detail reminds us that these are people — human beings — who lay slaughtered, but also illustrates a kind of grandeur of this war. After all, this is slaughter that is fated, and the way these men are made up make it seem as if death on the battlefield is a resplendent occasion.

• His vital energy destroyed by a weapon, Bhurisravas, the pure and most worthy granted of boons, quit his body on the great field of battle and rose aloft, filling heaven and earth with the excellence of his dharma.

• As Samjaya is describing Jayadratha leaving his body to Duryodhana, Samjaya is reminding Duryodhana of the privilege it is to die in battle, countering Duryodhana’s despair over losing yet another fine warrior. The quote here illustrates the principle that for a warrior, dharma means battling, and if one dies while battling, then one’s soul will ascend in dharma.

• Stretching forth both his arms, King Salya fell to the earth before the lord of dharma like a toppled Pole of Indra. The earth herself seemed to rise to greet with affection that bull-like hero, wounded in every limb as he was, and doused in blood, like a dear wife greeting her beloved as he fell upon her breast. Samjaya (Page 536)

• Here, we see the last of Duryodhana’s commanders slain. Like the above quotes, this one articulates a kind of splendor and sacredness in dying during warfare, but it’s also interesting for its reference to Salya as bull-like. The bull is among the most sacred creatures in the Hindu faith, implying that Salya’s death is one to be treated with deep reverence.

• All the joyful womenfolk of the lion-like Bharatas praised Krsna the stirrer of men, like shipwrecked travelers rescued by a boat; Kunti, Draupadi, Subhadra, Uttara and all the other women rejoiced in their hearts. Then wrestlers, actors, prizefighters, storytellers, bedside attendants and throngs of Suta and Magadha bards all praised the stirrer of men, O bull-like heir of Bharata, and uttered blessings praising the Kure lineage. Vaisampayana (Page 713)

• Now you acted deceitfully towards Drona in the matter of his son; therefore, O king, you have yourself been deceived into seeing hell. — Indra (Page 784)

• Whether I am a weaver or his son, whoever or whatever I am, the birth in this family was given by my Daiva or fate. But the prowess and power I have accomplished are by my own self. — Karna

• कर्मणयेवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
  मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ॥
  Karmanye Vadhikaraste, Ma phaleshou kada chana,
  Ma Karma Phala Hetur Bhurmatey Sangostva Akarmani
  
  You have the right to perform your actions, but you are not entitled to the fruits of the actions. Do not let the fruit be the purpose of your actions, and therefore you won’t be attached to not doing your duty.

• बन्धुर् अत्मत्मनस् तस्य येनत्म्ऐवत्मन जितह् ।
  अनत्मनस् तु सत्रुत्वे वर्तेतत्म्ऐव सत्रुवत् ॥
  bandhur atmatmanas tasya yenatmaivatmana jitah
  anatmanas tu satrutve vartetatmaiva satruvat
  
  For the being who has conquered the mind; that beings mind is the best of friends; But for one whose mind is uncontrolled, that very mind acts as the worst of enemies.

• यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत ।
  अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् ॥
  yada yada hi dharmasya galnir bhavati bharata
  abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srjamy aham
  
  Whenever and wherever a decline of righteousness and a predominance of unrighteousness prevails; At that time, I manifest Myself personally.

• अनाश्रितः कर्मफलं कार्यं कर्म करोति यः ।
  स सन्न्यासी च योगी च न निरग्निर्न चाक्रियः ॥
  anasritah karma-phalam karyam karma karoti yah
  sa sannyasi ca yogi ca na niragnir na cakriyah
  
  One who enacts obligatory prescribed actions without expectation of the result of actions he is truly a renunciate and a follower of the science of uniting the individual consciousness with the Ultimate consciousness; not one without prescribed duties, nor one who merely renounces bodily activities.

• नकर्मनम् अनरम्भन् न्ऐश्कर्म्यम् पुरुसो स्नुते ।
  न च सन्न्यसनद् एव सिद्धिम् समधिगच्छति ॥
  nakarmanam anarambhan naishkarmyam puruso snute
  na ca sannyasanad eva siddhim samadhigacchati
  
  A person can never achieve freedom from reactions to activities without first performing prescribed Vedic duties; neither can perfection be attained by renouncing them as well.

• To save a family, abandon a man to save the village, abandon a family, to save the country, abandon a village, to save the soul abandon the earth. — Vidura to Kavya

• Anyone who is steady in his determination for the advanced stage of spiritual realization and can equally tolerate the onslaughts of distress and happiness is certainly a person eligible for liberation.

• Unlimited is my wealth. At the same time, I have nothing.

• He is a fool that practices truth without knowing the difference between truth and falsehood. — Krishna to Arjuna

• Cleverness does not always lead to gain nor stupidity to poverty. — Vidura

• If you start work, take rest only after its completion; otherwise, the (incomplete) work will finish you. — Devarata to King Shantanu in Mahabharata

• The warrior has two enemies — sleep and tiredness. He has two friends — hard work and caution. The warrior who can vanquish these enemies and befriend the two friends will be undefeatable. — Guru Dhronacharya to Arjuna

• Conquer anger with forgiveness, win the wicked with kindness, educate the niggardly (ungenerous with time, money, etc) with generosity, overcome injustice with the truth. — Udyogaparva, Mahabharata

• Anyone who is steady in his determination for the advanced stage of spiritual realization and can equally tolerate the onslaughts of distress and happiness is certainly a person eligible for liberation.

• The difficulties usually arise from having to sever family relationships, to give up the connection of wife and children. But if anyone can tolerate such difficulties, surely his path to spiritual realization is complete.

• By nature, the body is ever changing, and the soul is eternal.

• Removal of ignorance involves the re-establishment of the eternal relationship between the worshiper and

• Revenge is not always better, but neither is forgiveness; learn to know them both, son, so that there is no problem. — Prahlada

• In the proper discharge of duty, one must learn to tolerate nonpermanent appearances and disappearances of happiness and distress.

• One must execute his duty despite climatic inconveniences.

• One must follow the prescribed rules and regulations of religious principles to rise up to the platform of knowledge, because by knowledge and devotion, only one can liberate himself from the clutches of illusion.

• A great heritage brings responsibility in the matter of proper discharge of duties; therefore, one cannot avoid fighting.

• Anyone who is steady in his determination for the advanced stage of spiritual realization and can equally tolerate the onslaughts of distress and happiness is certainly a person eligible for liberation. — Krishna
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