20 Powerful Quotes by Vardhaman Mahavir Swami

"Live and allow others to live; hurt no one; life is dear to all living beings."

Vardhamana Mahavira, also known as Mahavir Swami, is a revered figure in Jainism, known for his profound spiritual teachings and principles which continue to inspire millions around the world.

As we approach Mahavir Jayanti 2025, it's a perfect opportunity to reflect on his messages of truth, non-violence, and compassion.

This blog post explores 20 of Mahavira's most inspiring Jainism quotes, offering insights into his philosophical depth and its relevance today to share the joy of this auspicious occasion.

Who was Mahavira?

Mahavira, the last Tirthankara of the Jain tradition, was born into a noble family but chose to renounce worldly life in pursuit of spiritual awakening. His teachings form the core of Jain philosophy, emphasizing ethics and renunciation.

Core principles of Mahavira's teachings

Just like quotes from the Bhagavad Gita, Mahavira’s philosophy, reflected in Jain quotes, revolves around five key principles:

• Non-violence (Ahimsa): Avoiding harm to all living beings.

This leads us to a path of compassion and a deeper connection with the world around us by extending this principle beyond action in thoughts and words too.

• Truth (Satya): Commitment to universal truth.

It helps us live a life with principles by understanding a deeper sense of our responsibility towards others.

• Non-stealing (Asteya): Respecting others' rights and properties.

By respecting others' boundaries and entitlements, we cultivate a sense of contentment and avoid the inner turmoil that comes from taking anything that belongs to others.

• Celibacy (Brahmacharya): Embracing a life of chastity.

Through this, individuals are believed to conserve energy that can be redirected towards personal development and achieving higher states of consciousness.

• Non-possession (Aparigraha): Encouraging material detachment.

By reducing dependency on material goods, we can focus more on personal growth, relationships, and spiritual pursuits. A similar focus is imparted in the karma Bhagavad Gita quotes.

Also read: The Millionaire Who Turned Monk for Inner Peace

Happy Mahavir Jayanti 2025

Mahavir Jayanti marks the birth of Vardhamana Mahavira and is one of the most important religious festivals for Jains worldwide. It is a day of reflection, prayer, and celebration of the virtues Mahavir Swami passed on.

These teachings and quotes help you navigate the complexities of daily life by practicing active listening, showing empathy, working towards emotional intelligence, internal control and finding happiness from within, as is also reflected in Dalai Lama's quotes.

To get inspired and in touch his journey of turning from Vardhanamana to Mahavira, try the sleep story that will help you understand the 5 principles of living your life according to Jainism.

20 powerful quotes by Mahavir Swami

Ethics and morality

1. "Do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult, torment, torture, or kill any creature or living being."
2. "Live and allow others to live; hurt no one; life is dear to all living beings."
3. "Respect for all living beings is non‑violence."
4. "A man is seated on top of a tree in the midst of a burning forest. He sees all living beings perish. But he doesn't realize that the same fate is soon to overtake him also. That man is a fool."
5. "One who neglects or disregards the existence of earth, air, fire, water, and vegetation disregards his own existence which is entwined with them."

Peace and non-violence

1. "Killing a living being is killing one's own self; showing compassion to others is showing compassion to oneself."
2. "Non-violence is the highest ethical code."
3. "In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, we should regard all creatures as we regard our own self."
4. "The greatest mistake of a soul is non-recognition of its real self and can only be corrected by recognizing itself."
5. "Violence, even in thought, leads to fear and weakness."

Also read: UCL Graduate Turned Monk: A Remarkable Life Journey

Life and spirituality

1. "The soul comes alone and goes alone, no one accompanies it and no one becomes its mate."
2. "Attachment and aversion are the root cause of karma, and karma creates the bondage of the material world."
3. "Every soul is independent. None depends on another."
4. "A living body is not merely an integration of limbs and flesh but it is the abode of the soul, which potentially has perfect perception (Anant-Darshana), perfect knowledge (Anant-Jnana), perfect power (Anant-Virya), and perfect bliss (Anant-Sukha)."
5. "All human beings are miserable due to their own faults, and they themselves can be happy by correcting these faults."

Truth and wisdom

1. "Silence and self-control is non-violence."
2. "There is no enemy out of your soul. The real enemies live inside yourself, they are anger, pride, greed, attachments, and hate."
3. "It is better to win over self than to win over a million enemies."
4. "Truthfulness, chastity, simplicity, and equanimity are the four pillars of a pious life."
5. "The essence of all knowledge consists in not committing violence."

FAQs

How can Mahavira’s teachings help us today?

Why is Mahavir Jayanti celebrated?

Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated to honor the birth of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. It marks his teachings of non-violence (ahimsa), truth, and spiritual liberation, which form the core of Jain philosophy. Celebrated with prayers, processions, and charity, it reminds Jains to follow his path of peace and self-discipline.

Why is Mahavir so famous?

Mahavir is famous as the founder of modern Jainism and its most revered figure. Born in 599 BCE, he renounced worldly life to preach ahimsa (non-violence), asceticism, and liberation from the cycle of birth and death. His principles influenced millions, shaping Jainism and inspiring other philosophies, including aspects of Buddhism. Chant Buddhist mantras for instant relief from stress and clarity of thoughts.

What was Mahavira's famous quote?

One of Mahavira’s famous quotes is: "The function of souls is to help one another." This reflects his teaching of compassion, interdependence, and the importance of supporting others on the path to spiritual growth, a central tenet of Jainism.

What do you wish on Mahavir Jayanti?

On Mahavir Jayanti, people wish for peace, happiness, and spiritual growth. Common greetings include: "May Lord Mahavira bless you with peace and virtue" or "Wishing you a blessed Mahavir Jayanti filled with non-violence and truth." These reflect his teachings of harmony and righteousness.

Who came first, Mahavira or Buddha?

Mahavira came first. He was born in 599 BCE, while Gautama Buddha was born later, around 563 BCE. Both were contemporaries in ancient India, preaching during a time of spiritual reform, but Mahavira predates Buddha by about 36 years and established Jainism before Buddhism emerged.

Final thoughts

The teachings of Mahavira, especially as celebrated during Mahavir Jayanti 2025, offer timeless wisdom about peace, self-awareness, and ethical living.

As we reflect on these Jain quotes and Mahavir quotes in English, we are reminded that true happiness comes from within, through self-control, compassion, and the pursuit of spiritual growth.

By embracing the principles of Mahavira Swami, we can strive for a life that fosters peace, understanding, and respect for all living beings.

Read next: 40+ powerful Ganesha quotes