20 Mahabharata Quotes in English On Life, Karma, and War

Mahabharata is one of the greatest epics of ancient India that depicts one of the greatest battles in the history of India. It is a battle fight between Kauravas and Pandavas, the two clans of the same Kuru family.

Mahabharata is a perfect example of materiality over influencing humanity and preventing them from virtues like Karma, knowledge, and morals. 

Further, some of the best Mahabharata quotes said by the likes of Arjuna, Karna, Bhishmapitama, and Krishna are great sources of inspiration.

The Mahabharata quotes help you to learn about our purpose as humans. It also is a rich source of some of the greatest lessons of life which if implemented can help one lead a wholesome life. 

These are Mahabharata quotes in English that cater to various aspects of life. 

This article covers some of the best quotes from Mahabharata that will help you to understand the meaning of life and its ultimate purpose. 

Quotes from Mahabharata  

1. 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

2. 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.

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

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

5. Cleverness does not always lead to gain nor stupidity to poverty. – Vidura

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

7. 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

8. 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

9.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.

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

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

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

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

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

15. One has to execute his duty in spite of climatic inconveniences.

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

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

18. 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