Mahabharata - Lessons from Krishna - Season 2

These quotes are all from Star Plus Mahabharat series. I've followed many versions of Mahabharata, and really loved this progressive interpretation with high quality production values and dialogue. Would recommend you all to watch it. It is available on hotstar in multiple languages. Mahabharata is a very complex web of characters open to diverse interpretations. Krishna's perspective and insights interweaved in this version really stand out. I've collected them here as I feel they contain valuable life lessons.

Read quotes from Season 1 here: link

6) Overcoming fear: Fear is only the imagination of the grief to come. It has no relationship with reality whatsoever. Despite knowing that fear is nothing but imagination, is it difficult to be free from it and live fearlessly?

Reference - Season 2, Episode 1:- On Gandhari choosing to fight in battle overcoming her fear - Full dialogue below:

// Fear always roots itself in the human heart. Sometimes, the fear of losing wealth. Sometimes, the fear of humiliation. Sometimes, the fear of being separated from your loved ones. Hence presence of fear seems normal to all. Have we ever thought - Is the situation or the object that causes fear really the origin of grief? No. There is no rule as such.

And everyone's experience in fact tells that being scared does not solve problems in the future. Fear is only the imagination of the grief to come. It has no relationship with reality whatsoever. Despite knowing that fear is nothing but imagination, is it difficult to be free from it and live fearlessly? Think about it. //

7) Weakness is not a limitation: In this world, every person has some weakness or the other. Do you know any person who has everything? Yet, we consider that one weakness of ours as the epicentre of our lives. God may give the weakness, but it is our mind which builds limitations from it. One who does not let weakness defeat oneself, and houses the courage to be righteous in the heart, is able to move past the weakness.

Reference - Season 2, Episode 2:- On Dhritarashtra asking Pandu to not remind him of his weakness (blindness) - Full dialogue below:

// In this world, every person has some weakness or the other. For instance, someone cannot run very fast while another cannot lift heavy weights. One is inflicted with a malignant disease, whereas another is unable to remember the lessons learnt. There are many such examples. Do you know any person who has everything? 

Yet, we consider that one weakness of ours as the epicentre of our lives. This gives birth to constant sadness and discontentment in the heart. Weakness is incurred upon humans either by birth or by destiny, but it is the human mind which builds a limitation out of that weakness. But there are some people who defeat their weakness through their righteousness or hard work. What is the difference between these people and others? Have you ever pondered on this? 

There is a simple answer to this. One who does not let weakness defeat oneself, and houses the courage to be righteous in the heart, is able to move past the weakness. In other words, God may give the weakness, but it is our mind which builds limitations from it. Think about it. //

8) On the futility of expectations: Expectations are destined to be broken, because they originate from the human mind. Despite best intentions, one can never fulfil another's expectations. This turns relationships into conflicts. Instead of expectations, if we make acceptance as the foundation of our relationships, our life will be filled with peace and joy.

Reference - Season 2, Episode 3:- On Gandhari and Dhritarashtra imagining their future husband / wife and marriage - Full dialogue below:

// Expectation is the foundation of all human relationships:

"Husband should fill my life with happiness and prosperity." 

"Wife should always be devoted to me." 

"My children should serve me, and obey my words."

Humans can only love those who meet their expectations. But expectations are destined to be broken. How?

Because expectations originate from the human mind. So no one else can ever learn about those expectations. Inspite of having best intentions to fulfil them, one can never fulfil another's expectations. And that is the root of conflict. All relationships turn into conflicts. If humans stop building their relationships based on expectations, and accept relationships for what they are, won't this life be filled with peace and happiness? Ponder on this. //

9) Making decisions with a calm mind Vs to calm mind: When faced with dilemma, the mind becomes distraught. The moment of decision becomes a battle. Most of the times, we take decisions just to calm the mind, not to find a solution to a problem. A mind in a state of battle cannot take the correct decision. When one makes a decision with a calm mind, one secures a happy future. But when one makes a decision to calm the mind, one sows the seeds for a tree full of thorns.

Reference - Season 2, Episode 5:- On Gandhari's oath to blindfold herself for a lifetime - Full dialogue below:

// Every moment in life is a moment of decision. At every step, one has to decide about the next step. Decision leaves a lasting impression. Decisions taken in the present bring about happiness or sadness in the future, not just for oneself, but for one's family, and the future generations too. When one is faced with a dilemma, the mind becomes distraught, and becomes filled with indecision. The moment of decision becomes a battle and the mind becomes a battlefield. Most of the times, we take decisions just to calm the mind, not to find a solution to a problem. 

But can one eat while running? No. Then, can a mind in a state of battle make the correct decision? In reality, when one makes a decision with a calm mind, one secures a happy future. But when one makes a decision to calm the mind, one sows the seeds for a tree full of thorns. Think about it yourself. //

10) Happiness in relationships: Have all your relationships given you complete satisfaction? Why do relationships cause much grief when they are also the source of all happiness? Conflicts are born when we do not accept the belief or work of another and try to bring change in it. Instead, if we try to bring change in self rather than the other, acceptance becomes the true meaning of relationships.

Reference - Season 2, Episode 6:- On Dhritarashtra rejecting Gandhari for not taking off her blindfold - Full dialogue below:

// One question has always bothered humans from times immemorial. How to gain maximum happiness and minimal disappointment from relationships? Have all your relationships given you complete satisfaction? Think about it. 

Our life is based on relationships. Our security is based on relationships. This is why relationships are the basis of all happiness in our life. Then why do we meet with much grief in the same relationships? Why are conflicts always born from relationships? Have you ever thought about this?

When a person does not accept the belief or work of another and tries to bring a change in it, a conflict is born. Therefore, the more one refuses, the greater is the conflict. And the more one accepts, greater is the happiness. Is this not the truth? If a person willingly controls one's expectations, and analyses one's own thoughts, and instead of trying to change another person, tries to bring change in self, is achieving satisfaction in relationships so hard? In other words, is acceptance not the true meaning of relationships? Think about it. //

11) Revenge Vs Justice: The subtle difference between revenge and justice is Dharma (righteousness). It is apt to seek justice in response to injustice - because any injustice shakes up a person's hope and faith in the society. But all justice means is this: The one who was unjust ought to repent, and the one who experienced injustice ought to renew their faith in the society. But an unrighteous person seeks revenge instead of justice; tries to defeat violence with violence; inflicts more agony on others; and the oppressed becomes the oppressor.

Reference - Season 2, Episode 8:- On Shakuni vowing to take revenge for the injustice done to Gandhari - Full dialogue below:

// When someone deems an incident to be unjust, then that incident shakes up their psyche. The entire world seems like an enemy to them. The greater the intensity with which injustice is felt, the greater the protest arising from one's heart. It seeks justice in response to that incident. And this is apt too. In reality, any form of injustice in the society destroys the person's hope and faith.

But what is justice? What does justice mean? The one who was unjust ought to repent, and the one who experienced injustice ought to renew hope and faith in the society within their hearts. Does this not sum upto the meaning of justice?

But an unrighteous person renounces justice and embraces enmity and revenge. Such a person chooses violence against violence. They try to inflict many times more agony than the agony which they have experienced on others. And while walking down this path, the oppressed becomes the oppressor. Very soon, that person becomes a criminal. In other words, there is very little difference between justice and revenge - and this difference is called righteousness. Is this not true? Ponder over it. //

12) Freedom and boundaries in relationships: Respecting each other's independence is the soul of relationships, just as acceptance is the core. When we impose our rules and boundaries on others, we are rejecting their independence and not allowing them to decide for themselves. 

Reference - Season 2, Episode 11:- On Dhritarashtra ordering Gandhari to not welcome Pandu and Kunti - Full dialogue below:

// When two people come close to each other, they certainly try to create rules and boundaries for the other person. If we ponder over relationships, we notice that these very boundaries we draw for others form the source of these relationships. Even if someone else unknowingly oversteps these limits, our heart instantly fills with anger.

What is the true nature of these rules? Have we ever wondered? By imposing rules and boundaries, we don't allow the other person to decide on their own. We impose our decision on them. Thereby, we reject their independence. When independence is rejected, their heart fills with sorrow. When they break the boundaries, our heart fills with wrath. Doesn't this happen?

But if we respect each other's independence, then the need for rules and boundaries becomes extinct. Therefore, if acceptance is the core of relationships, isn't independence the soul? Think for yourselves. //

13) On seeking righteous advice: Different people give us different advice in the same situation. A pious heart gives righteous advice, and a depraved heart gives unrighteous counsel: A devotee in a temple advises to do charity; A thief would suggest to steal the jewels from the deity. Accepting righteous advice is possible only when our own heart is pious. Before accepting anyone's advice or counsel, we need to foster righteousness in our own hearts.

Reference - Season 2, Episode 12:- On Dhritarashtra being influenced by Shakuni - Full dialogue below:

// While making a decision, we always deem the suggestion, advice, or consultation from others as our counsel. Our decisions in the present become the foundation of our future.  So is our future the result of someone else's advice and counsel? Is our entire life the result of someone else's intellect? Have we ever thought about this?

Our experience tells us that different people give us different advice in the same situation. A devotee in a temple advises to do charity; A thief would suggest to steal the jewels from the deity at the right opportunity. A pious heart gives righteous advice, and a depraved heart gives unrighteous counsel. Accepting righteous advice alone propels us towards happiness. But accepting such advice is possible only when our heart is pious. Therefore, before accepting anyone's advice or counsel, isn't it essential to foster righteousness in our own heart? Think for yourselves. // 

14) How parents should empower their children: Parents seek their children to take the same path which they have taken and are familiar with, to secure their future. But time changes every path and brings new challenges, rendering experiences of the past irrelevant. Inner ability is Almighty's gift to each of us - it may not be the same for parents and children, and the same path which has given bliss to parents may not give the same to children. Facing strife and challenges in life is beneficial and opens up portal to new answers. Therefore, it is best to empower children with confidence and knowledge to face new obstacles rather than pre-decide a path for them.

Reference - Season 2, Episode 13:- On Karna's foster-father Athiratha discouraging him from taking up archery due to social noms - Full dialogue below:

// Parents always desire happiness for their children. They worry about children's future. Due to this, they always try to pre-decide the future path for their children. The path which parents have walked on, the path whose pitfalls they are familiar with, the path whose shade and sunshine they are aware of - they want children to also take the same path. This is every parent's desire. Indeed, it is a noble intention. But we completely forget to reflect on three questions. Which questions? 

First question: Doesn't every path change with time? Doesn't time always bring forth new challenges? Then how can experiences from past help in overcoming new challenges?

Second question: Is every child an image of parents? Morals are certainly given to children by parents, but inner capability is gifted by Almighty. So is there any assurance that the path which has bestowed success upon parents will also show success and bliss to the child? 

Third question: Aren't the strife and challenges in life beneficial? Doesn't every new question open the portal to a new answer? Then does the act of distancing children from new questions, struggles and challenges qualify as benefiting them or harming them?

Therefore, just as it would be best to develop a child's character rather than their future, similarly, instead of pre-deciding the life path for children, wouldn't it be more beneficial to empower them with confidence and knowledge to confront new challenges? //

15) Right time for truth: Truth is the same as fearlessness, because truth is disclosing facts despite facing fears of the heart that these facts may hurt someone. Every moment is the right moment to speak the truth, because fearlessness is soul's nature. There is no right time to be fearless.

Reference - Season 2, Episode 14:- On Kunti contemplating whether or not to disclose her past to Pandu - Full dialogue below:

// In everyone's life, there comes a moment when one is determined to speak the truth but truth doesn't come out from the mouth. Some fear takes over the heart. Talking about an event or incident, or disclosing the mistakes committed by us - is this the truth? No. This is just fact. Meaning, disclosing whatever has happened is usual. But sometimes, when speaking these facts, we feel fear. Perhaps, one thinks about someone else's feelings. Words are paused out of fear that they may cause grief to someone else. Then what is the truth? Have we ever pondered?

When someone reveals facts despite the fear, that is the truth. In reality, truth is nothing but a different name for fearlessness.  There is no right time to be fearless, because being fearless is the very nature of soul. Therefore, isn't every moment the right moment to speak the truth? Think about it. //

16) Judging someone's mistakes: Is it always someone's fault that our desires and wishes are shattered? Desires could be unfulfilled due to fate or destiny and sometimes, desires are such that they cannot be fulfilled. The basis of justice is mercy and compassion, whereas the basis for vengeance is anger and arrogance. Be compassionate from heart first before analysing if anyone is at fault or punishing them.

Reference - Season 2, Episode 18:- On Dhritarashtra punishing Gandhari by having child with a servant for her failure in giving him children - Full dialogue below:

// When one's wishes and desires are shattered, their heart is filled with anger. That person tries to punish whoever they feel is at fault. But is it always someone's fault that our desires and wishes are shattered? There can be many reasons for desires to remain unfulfilled - some are unfulfilled due to fate and some due to destiny. And sometimes, the desires themselves are of a form which does not let them be fulfilled. Considering someone to be at fault without considering the circumstances is not justice, it is vengeance. The basis of justice is mercy and compassion, whereas the basis for vengeance is anger and arrogance. Does this mean it is unfair to analyse someone's fault or punish someone without fostering compassion in heart first? Think for yourself. //

17) Problems are opportunities to transform the self: Do we really gain by making plans today to eliminate the sorrows from future? Whenever a problem arises, the solution or the power which resolves it also comes into existence. Crisis is the birth of an opportunity - to change oneself, to develop higher order thoughts, to strengthen the soul and fill it with wisdom.

Reference - Season 2, Episode 20:- On the birth of Duryodhana and the discussion in Kuru court to give up the child due to bad omens - Full dialogue below:

// We imagine the joys and sorrows of future on the basis of our intuitions. We make plans today to eliminate the sorrows from future. But do we gain or hurt by eliminating the troubles of future now itself? We never raise this question. 

The truth is that a problem and its solution take birth and evolve together, for a person and also for the universe. No? Think about your past. Look at history. You will instantly realise that whenever a problem arises, the solution or the power which resolves it also comes into existence. This is the way of the world. Crisis is the reason for the birth of a power. 

Whenever a person comes out of crisis, they move one step ahead and shine more. They are filled with confidence not just for the self, but for the world too. Isn't that true? Actually, the birth of a crisis is the birth of an opportunity - to change oneself, to develop higher order thoughts, to strengthen the soul and fill it with wisdom. The one who can do this doesn't deem any crisis, whereas one who is unable to do this becomes a menace for the world. Think about it. //

Related posts:

1. Krishna's lessons from season 1 - link

Mahabharata - Lessons from Krishna - Season 1

These quotes are all from Star Plus Mahabharat series. I've followed many versions of Mahabharata, and really loved this progressive interpretation with high quality production values and dialogue. Would recommend you all to watch it. It is available on hotstar in multiple languages. Mahabharata is a very complex web of characters open to diverse interpretations. Krishna's perspective and insights interweaved in this version really stand out. I've collected them here as I feel they contain valuable life lessons.

1) When desires shatter, knowledge is born: Desires make most people run around akin to the mirages of an oasis that make animals chase them. Their desires never truly perish. However, in the very womb of these desires, lies the light of knowledge. When desires go unfulfilled and shatter, rays of knowledge enter the human heart in that precise moment. This knowledge teaches about the meaning of life, the duties of a human being, and the deeds which can make you rise and shine like a lotus from filth.

Reference - Season 1 Episode 1:- On Satyavati's desire - Full dialogue below:

// Desires, hopes, expectations, ambitions - these are the driving forces of human society. Are they not? If someone asks you about who you are, what would your answer be? Meditate about it. 

You will discover that your desires are what ultimately define your life. The success on achieving something, and the failure on not achieving something - these define you. Most people lead a life marked by the lethal desire to achieve many things but their desires never truly perish (or end). Desires make them run around akin to the mirages of an oasis that make animals chase them. However, in the very womb of these desires, lies the light of knowledge. How? 

When desires go unfulfilled and shatter, rays of knowledge enter the human heart in that precise moment. 

No. This is not a tale of the battle of desires. It's not a tale of any horrific battle born out of ambitions. This tale is about the knowledge which arises from the womb of desires. I, Vasudev Krishna, invite all of you to make this journey which will teach you the meaning of life. It will teach you the duties of a human being. It will teach you the deeds to rise and shine like a lotus from filth. The name of this journey is Mahabharat. //

2) How can parents help their children: Happiness and security are attained by human karma, and cannot be planned by parents for their children. Enhance your children's character instead of worrying about their future. Ideals and learning develop one's character. Instil good values and lessons - this is what creates their karma ultimately.

Reference - Season 1, Episode 2:- On Satyavati's concern to secure her children's future - Full dialogue below:

// To try and fill the lives of their children with happiness - this is the foremost duty of all parents. The ones you bring into this world - their acts would earn you an identity in this world - what else could be more valuable than planning for their future? But, aren't happiness and security - attained by human karma? 

The good or bad values instilled by the parents, the adequate and inadequate lessons taught by them - are these not the basic value of all the karma? Ideals and learning develop one's character. This means, the way the parents develop their child's character is what determines the child's future. Yet, most parents, in the process of securing their children's future, forget to enhance their character. Thus, the parents who worry about the future of their children - their children never benefit from anything. But the parents who aren't worried about their future, but are more concerned about developing their character - the whole world praises such children. You should think about it. //

3) Life doesn't go as per plan: One incident, one challenge, one impediment, one distress cannot become the epicentre of life. Future doesn't go as per our plans. A person climbing a mountain can never change the mountain, but can adapt to the mountain. At every step, new obstacles are to be met with, old plans need to be changed, decisions on next moves are to be taken. Instead of trying to change life, adapting yourself to changing situations is the only path to success and happiness.

Reference - Season 1, Episode 4:- On Amba's marriage plans being disrupted - Full dialogue below:

// Sometimes, an incident disrupts all the plans of a human being, and that person considers the distress to be the epicentre of hir life. But is the future determined on the basis of the plans of human beings? 

No. Just as the first person to climb atop a tall mountain would have made plans when at the foot of the mountain.. But, do these plans actually get hir to the peak? No. In reality, as the person climbs up the mountain, they come across new obstacles, impediments and difficulties. At every step, the person decides what is to be done next. The person needs to change plans at every step of the way. A previous plan might just make the person fall down a chasm. The person is never able to change the mountain according to will. The person can only adapt to the mountain. 

Is this not the case with life as well? When a person considers one challenge, one impediment as the epicentre of one's life and puts an end to everything else in the course of life, then that person can never succeed in life, and neither can that person achieve happiness and peace. In other words, instead of trying to change life, adapting yourself to changing situations is the only path to success and happiness. Think about it. //

4) Living in the present: Life lies neither in the future nor in the past. Life is the present moment. Living in the present moment is the true essence of living. We can neither foresee the future nor shape it - All we can do is embrace the future with patience and courage, and welcome it with open arms.

Reference - Season 1, Episode 6:- On Amba's desire to seek revenge - Full dialogue below:

// The other name of future is struggle. If today's desire of the heart goes unfulfilled, then the heart plans for the future. It keeps imagining the fulfilment of the desire in the future. But life... Life lies neither in the future nor in the past. Life is the present moment. In other words, living in the present moment is the true essence of living. But despite knowing this, we are unable to understand this truth. We are absorbed in pondering about the past or we keep planning for the future. And life... Life just goes by. 

If we accept the cardinal rule that we can neither foresee the future nor shape it - All we can do is embrace the future with patience and courage, and if we welcome it with open arms, won't each moment in life be filled with 'life'? Think about it. //

5) Preconceived notions, biases and hate we pass to our children: The wishes, hopes and ambitions of ancestors, and also their anger, enmity and revenge - become the legacy of future generations. Parents try their best to give their children all the happiness of the world, but end up giving them their own agony as wealth. They give them the light of love as well as the darkness of hate. Did we not impart to our children the preconceived notions of good and bad, or pass on hate? These notions lead to the conflict between people, societies and nations, and give rise to murder, death, and bloodshed. Wherever darkness resides, the result is only fear.

Reference - Season 1, Episode 7:- On Panchala king celebrating birth of Shikandini to destroy Bhishma - Full dialogue below:

// The wishes, hopes and ambitions of ancestors, and also their anger, enmity and revenge - become the legacy of future generations. Parents try their best to give their children all the happiness of the world, but end up giving them their own agony as wealth. They intend to give them love, but end up filling them with hate. Think about it. 

What have you taught your children till date? You must have given them love, knowledge and wealth. But did you not fill their hearts with hate as well? Did you not impart to them the preconceived notions of good and bad? Does the conflict of one man with another, that of one society with another, and that of one nation with another, not get decided by these preconceived notions? Do murder, death and bloodshed not arise from these preconceived notions? 

In other words, parents give their children life as well as death. They give them the light of love as well as the darkness of hate. Darkness may reside in the mind or in the heart or in reality, but the result of it is only fear. Only.. fear. //

Related posts:

1. Krishna's lessons from season 2 - link