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
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