Top 17 Quotes & Sayings by Mahavira

Explore popular quotes and sayings by Mahavira.
Last updated on September 17, 2024.
Mahavira

Mahavira also known as Vardhamana, was the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. He was the spiritual successor of the 23rd Tirthankara Parshvanatha. Mahavira was born in the early part of the 6th century BCE into a royal Kshatriya Jain family in ancient India. His mother's name was Trishala and his father's name was Siddhartha. They were lay devotees of Parshvanatha. Mahavira abandoned all worldly possessions at the age of about 30 and left home in pursuit of spiritual awakening, becoming an ascetic. Mahavira practiced intense meditation and severe austerities for twelve and a half years, after which he attained Kevala Jnana (omniscience). He preached for 30 years and attained Moksha (liberation) in the 6th century BCE, although the year varies by sect.

Live and allow others to live; hurt no one; life is dear to all living beings.
All souls are equal and alike and have the similar nature and qualities.
All are my friends. I have no enemies. — © Mahavira
All are my friends. I have no enemies.
Start the practice of self-control with some penance; begin with fasting.
The nature of things is dharma.
Don't accumulate if you do not need. The excess of wealth in your hands is for the society, and you are the trustee for the same.
Soul is the central point of spiritual discipline.
Attachment and aversion are the root cause of karma, and karma originates from infatuation. Karma is the root cause of birth and death, and these are said to be the source of misery. None can escape the effect of their own past karma.
Modes are infinite, and laws are infinite.
One who neglects or disregards the existence of earth, air, fire, water and vegetation disregards his own existence which is entwined with them.
Do not deprive someone of his livelihood. This is a sinful tendency.
If one undertakes retrospection of the day's events, one must do it regularly at the appointed hour, not fitfully, not doing it today, neglecting to do it tomorrow and the day after and then taking it up again on the fourth day. Such irregular practice is not conducive to the confirmation of the habit of retrospection.
Anger begets more anger, and forgiveness and love lead to more forgiveness and love.
The most important principle of environment is that you are not the only element.
If you want to cultivate a habit, do it without any reservation, till it is firmly established. Until it is so confirmed, until it becomes a part of your character, let there be no exception, no relaxation of effort.
Eating constitutes the greatest obstacle to self-control; it gives rise to indolence.
By sincerity, a man gains physical, mental and linguistic straightforwardness, and harmonious tendency; that is, congruence of speech and action. — © Mahavira
By sincerity, a man gains physical, mental and linguistic straightforwardness, and harmonious tendency; that is, congruence of speech and action.
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