Quotes on Forgiveness from Bhagavad Gita
Stop holding grudges forever. Find forgiveness quotes hidden in the Bhagavad Gita's most healing verses.
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Have you ever held onto anger so tightly that it felt like carrying a burning coal in your hand? The Bhagavad Gita speaks to this universal human struggle with forgiveness in ways that might surprise you. While we often think forgiveness means letting someone off the hook, Lord Krishna reveals something deeper - forgiveness is actually about freeing ourselves from the chains of our own reactions.
In this exploration of forgiveness through the Bhagavad Gita, we'll discover how Lord Krishna guides Arjuna (and us) beyond simple concepts of right and wrong. We'll see how forgiveness connects to karma, why holding grudges blocks our spiritual growth, and how true forgiveness starts with understanding our own nature. These ancient quotes don't just tell us to forgive - they show us why forgiveness is the doorway to inner peace.
From battlefield wisdom to everyday conflicts, these teachings reveal forgiveness not as weakness but as the ultimate strength. Let's dive into what Lord Krishna actually says about letting go, moving forward, and finding that elusive peace we all seek.
"Forgiveness, truthfulness, compassion, and freedom from anger - these are the qualities of those endowed with divine nature, O Arjuna." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
ahiṁsā satyam akrodhas tyāgaḥ śāntir apaiśunamdayā bhūteṣv aloluptvaṁ mārdavaṁ hrīr acāpalam
English Translation:
Non-violence, truthfulness, freedom from anger, renunciation, tranquility, aversion to fault-finding, compassion toward all beings, freedom from covetousness, gentleness, modesty, and lack of fickleness.
This quote from Chapter 16, Verse 3 places forgiveness right at the foundation of divine qualities. Lord Krishna isn't just listing nice traits - He's mapping out what makes us truly human.
Think about it. When someone hurts you, your first instinct is what? Probably not forgiveness. It's anger, revenge, or at least some serious sulking. But Lord Krishna says forgiveness is actually our divine nature - it's who we really are beneath all the hurt and ego.
This changes everything. Forgiveness isn't something we force ourselves to do. It's returning to our true self.
When we don't forgive, we're actually going against our own nature. Like trying to swim upstream, it exhausts us. The anger we hold? It's not punishing the other person - it's punishing us by keeping us away from our divine qualities.
Notice how Lord Krishna connects forgiveness with freedom from anger. They're not separate things - they're two sides of the same coin.
Anger is like a fire that needs fuel. Unforgiveness is that fuel. Every time we replay that hurt, we add another log to the fire. But forgiveness? It's like removing the fuel source entirely. The fire naturally dies out.
This quote also shows us that divine qualities come as a package. You can't truly have compassion while holding grudges. You can't be peaceful while nursing anger. Forgiveness unlocks all these other divine qualities within us.
"One who is not envious but is a kind friend to all living entities, who does not think himself a proprietor and is free from false ego, who is equal in both happiness and distress, who is tolerant and forgiving..." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
adveṣṭā sarva-bhūtānāṁ maitraḥ karuṇa eva canirmamo nirahaṅkāraḥ sama-duḥkha-sukhaḥ kṣamī
English Translation:
One who is not envious but who is a kind friend to all living entities, who does not think himself a proprietor, who is free from false ego, who is equal both in happiness and distress, who is always satisfied, forgiving.
In Chapter 12, Verse 13, Lord Krishna describes His ideal devotee. And guess what makes the list? Being forgiving - kṣamī in Sanskrit.
Lord Krishna places forgiveness alongside some heavy hitters - freedom from ego, equanimity in joy and sorrow, universal friendship. This isn't random. These qualities grow together.
When you truly see yourself as connected to all beings (maitraḥ), how can you hold grudges? When you're free from ego (nirahaṅkāraḥ), what's there to feel offended about? Forgiveness naturally flows from this understanding.
The word kṣamī also means patient or tolerant. It's not just about forgiving past hurts. It's about developing such inner stability that you don't even get disturbed in the first place. That's the real goal.
Look closely at this quote. "Free from false ego" comes right before "forgiving." Coincidence? Definitely not.
Most of our inability to forgive comes from ego. "How dare they do this to ME?" "Don't they know who I am?" The ego keeps score, holds grudges, demands justice. But when ego dissolves, what's left to be hurt?
This quote also mentions not thinking oneself a proprietor - nirmamo. When we don't own anything, including our self-image, what can anyone really take from us? Forgiveness becomes natural when we have nothing to protect.
"A person is considered still further advanced when he regards honest well-wishers, affectionate benefactors, the neutral, mediators, the envious, friends and enemies, the pious and the sinners all with an equal mind." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
suhṛn-mitrāry-udāsīna-madhyastha-dveṣya-bandhuṣusādhuṣv api ca pāpeṣu sama-buddhir viśiṣyate
English Translation:
He who regards equally well-wishers, friends, foes, the indifferent, the neutral, the hateful, relatives, the righteous, and even sinners, excels.
This powerful quote from Chapter 6, Verse 9 takes forgiveness to another level. It's not just about forgiving those who hurt us - it's about transcending the whole friend-enemy distinction.
We usually think forgiveness means moving someone from the "enemy" column to the "friend" column. But Lord Krishna suggests something radical - what if there were no columns at all?
Equal vision (sama-buddhi) doesn't mean you trust everyone equally or that you don't have boundaries. It means you see the same divine spark in everyone. The saint and the sinner both carry that same essence.
This perspective shift makes forgiveness almost automatic. When you see everyone as souls on a journey, making mistakes just like you, how can you hold onto resentment?
Notice Lord Krishna says this person "excels" or is "distinguished" (viśiṣyate). This equal vision isn't beginner-level spirituality. It's advanced stuff.
Why? Because it requires us to completely rewire how we see the world. Our mind naturally categorizes people - friend, enemy, neutral. It's a survival mechanism. But spiritual growth means going beyond survival mode.
This quote also lists seven types of people, from well-wishers to sinners. That covers pretty much everyone you'll meet. The message is clear - no exceptions to this equal vision. Even those who actively hate you (dveṣya) deserve this same understanding.
"One who works in devotion, who is a pure soul, and who controls his mind and senses is dear to everyone, and everyone is dear to him. Though always working, such a man is never entangled." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
yoga-yukto viśuddhātmā vijitātmā jitendriyaḥsarva-bhūtātma-bhūtātmā kurvann api na lipyate
English Translation:
One who is devoted, pure in soul, self-controlled and master of his senses, who sees his Self as the Self in all beings, is not tainted though he acts.
From Chapter 5, Verse 7, this quote reveals why forgiveness becomes natural for the realized soul.
When you see your Self in all beings (sarva-bhūtātma-bhūtātmā), forgiveness isn't even a choice anymore. It's like forgiving your own hand for accidentally hitting you. There's no "other" to forgive.
The pure soul (viśuddhātmā) doesn't get entangled (na lipyate) in actions - their own or others'. Imagine water rolling off a lotus leaf. That's how hurts and offenses affect the pure soul. They simply don't stick.
This isn't about becoming emotionally numb. It's about operating from such a deep center that surface waves don't disturb you.
The key word here is "lipyate" - being tainted or attached. When someone hurts us, we usually get stuck to that hurt. We carry it around, replay it, let it define us.
But this quote shows another way. Even while acting in the world (kurvann api), we can remain untouched. Not because we don't care, but because we understand our true nature.
Control of mind and senses (vijitātmā jitendriyaḥ) isn't about suppression. It's about not letting every external event create internal chaos. When your mind is steady, forgiveness isn't hard work - it's your natural state.
"The Supreme Lord said: Fearlessness, purification of one's existence... freedom from anger... these transcendental qualities belong to godly men endowed with divine nature." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
abhayaṁ sattva-saṁśuddhir jñāna-yoga-vyavasthitiḥdānaṁ damaś ca yajñaś ca svādhyāyas tapa ārjavamahiṁsā satyam akrodhas...
English Translation:
Fearlessness, purity of heart, steadfastness in knowledge and yoga, charity, self-control, sacrifice, study of the scriptures, austerity, straightforwardness, non-violence, truthfulness, freedom from anger...
In Chapter 16, Verses 1-2, Lord Krishna lists divine qualities, and freedom from anger (akrodha) makes the list. This directly connects to forgiveness.
You can't have genuine forgiveness while holding onto anger. They're mutually exclusive. Akrodha - freedom from anger - isn't about never feeling angry. It's about not letting anger become your master.
Look at the company anger keeps in this list - or rather, doesn't keep. It's absent among divine qualities like fearlessness, purity, truthfulness. Anger is the odd one out in divine nature.
When anger leaves, forgiveness naturally enters. It's like opening windows in a stuffy room - fresh air rushes in automatically.
The Sanskrit word akrodha is beautifully precise. The 'a' prefix means absence or freedom from. Krodha is anger. So it's not about fighting anger - it's about transcending it entirely.
This quote places freedom from anger alongside fearlessness (abhayam). There's a connection. When we're truly fearless, what can make us angry? Anger often comes from fear - fear of being hurt, disrespected, or losing something.
The progression of qualities listed here also matters. Purity of heart (sattva-saṁśuddhir) comes before freedom from anger. First, we purify our inner state. Then anger naturally dissolves. And with it, the inability to forgive.
"One whose mind remains undisturbed in spite of misery, who does not crave for pleasure, and who is free from attachment, fear and anger, is called a sage of steady wisdom." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
duḥkheṣv anudvigna-manāḥ sukheṣu vigata-spṛhaḥvīta-rāga-bhaya-krodhaḥ sthita-dhīr munir ucyate
English Translation:
He whose mind is not shaken by adversity, who does not hanker after pleasures, and who is free from attachment, fear and anger, is called a sage of steady wisdom.
This profound quote from Chapter 2, Verse 56 shows us the mindset that makes forgiveness effortless.
An undisturbed mind (anudvigna-manāḥ) in misery - that's the key. When someone hurts us, it's a form of misery. But if our mind remains steady even then, what's there to forgive?
The sage of steady wisdom (sthita-dhīr) doesn't need to practice forgiveness. Their mental state prevents resentment from forming in the first place. It's like having such good health that you don't need medicine.
This isn't about being emotionless. It's about having such inner stability that external events don't create lasting disturbance. The hurt might come, but it passes through without leaving residue.
Most of us struggle with forgiveness because we're attached to our story of being wronged. But look at this quote - freedom from attachment (vīta-rāga) is part of steady wisdom.
When you're not attached to pleasure (vigata-spṛhaḥ), you're also not attached to your version of how people should treat you. Expectations create disappointments. No expectations, no disappointments. No disappointments, nothing to forgive.
The combination of fear and anger (bhaya-krodhaḥ) is telling. Often our anger masks fear. We're afraid of being taken advantage of, so we stay angry. But the sage transcends both, making forgiveness a non-issue.
"Before giving up this present body, if one is able to tolerate the urges of the material senses and check the force of desire and anger, he is well-situated and is happy in this world." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
śaknotihaiva yaḥ soḍhuṁ prāk śarīra-vimokṣaṇātkāma-krodhodbhavaṁ vegaṁ sa yuktaḥ sa sukhī naraḥ
English Translation:
He who is able, while still here in this world before giving up this body, to withstand the impulse born of desire and anger, is a yogi and is happy.
From Chapter 5, Verse 23, Lord Krishna gives us a practical deadline for mastering forgiveness.
Before death (prāk śarīra-vimokṣaṇāt) - Lord Krishna isn't being morbid. He's being practical. We don't have forever to work on forgiveness. Every moment we hold anger is a moment of life wasted.
The word "vegam" means force or impulse. Anger isn't just a feeling - it's a force that pushes us to act. And usually, those actions create more problems, more karma, more need for forgiveness later.
This quote makes forgiveness urgent. Not something for "someday when I'm more spiritual." But now, while we still have this body and this chance.
"Sa sukhī naraḥ" - such a person is happy. It's that simple. Hold onto anger, be miserable. Let it go, be happy. Lord Krishna isn't promising happiness in some future life. He says this person is happy in this world (ihaiva).
The connection between desire and anger (kāma-krodha) is crucial. When desires are blocked, anger arises. When we want people to act certain ways and they don't, we get angry. Forgiveness means releasing both the desire and the anger.
Being "yukta" (well-situated or connected) comes from this inner work. You can't be truly connected while holding disconnecting emotions like anger and resentment.
"Even if you are considered to be the most sinful of all sinners, when you are situated in the boat of transcendental knowledge you will be able to cross over the ocean of miseries." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
api ced asi pāpebhyaḥ sarvebhyaḥ pāpa-kṛt-tamaḥsarvaṁ jñāna-plavenaiva vṛjinaṁ santariṣyasi
English Translation:
Even if you are the most sinful of all sinners, you shall cross over all sin by the raft of knowledge alone.
This powerful promise from Chapter 4, Verse 36 shows how understanding transforms our ability to forgive - both others and ourselves.
Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is yourself. Lord Krishna addresses this directly - even the worst sinner (pāpa-kṛt-tamaḥ) can transcend their past through knowledge.
This isn't about excusing wrong actions. It's about understanding that our true nature is beyond our mistakes. When you know who you really are, you can forgive who you thought you were.
The ocean of miseries (vṛjinam) includes the misery of guilt and self-hatred. Knowledge is the boat that carries us across. Not by denying what happened, but by seeing it from a higher perspective.
Knowledge (jñāna) here isn't intellectual information. It's direct understanding of reality. When you truly know that everyone is a soul learning through experiences, forgiveness becomes natural.
The metaphor of a boat (plava) is perfect. A boat doesn't fight the ocean - it rises above it. Similarly, knowledge doesn't fight against past hurts. It lifts us to a level where those hurts lose their grip.
This quote also implies that without knowledge, we're drowning in reactions to past actions. Every unforgiven hurt keeps us in that ocean. Knowledge is the life raft that saves us from drowning in resentment.
"Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom and religiousness - these are the natural qualities by which the brāhmaṇas work." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
śamo damas tapaḥ śaucaṁ kṣāntir ārjavam eva cajñānaṁ vijñānam āstikyaṁ brahma-karma svabhāva-jam
English Translation:
Tranquility, restraint, austerity, purity, forgiveness, simplicity, knowledge, wisdom, and faith in God are the duties of the Brahmanas, born of their own nature.
In Chapter 18, Verse 42, Lord Krishna includes forgiveness (kṣānti) among the highest spiritual qualities.
Kṣānti means both tolerance and forgiveness. Lord Krishna lists it among brahminical qualities - those associated with spiritual leadership and wisdom. This isn't about caste but about consciousness.
Notice the progression: peacefulness (śama), self-control (dama), then eventually forgiveness (kṣānti). You need inner peace and control before you can truly forgive. Otherwise, it's just suppression.
These qualities are called svabhāva-jam - born of one's own nature. Forgiveness isn't an artificial imposition. For those on the spiritual path, it emerges naturally as consciousness evolves.
Forgiveness sits between purity (śaucam) and simplicity (ārjavam). This placement is significant. Holding grudges makes the mind impure and complicated. Forgiveness purifies and simplifies.
The inclusion of both knowledge (jñāna) and wisdom (vijñāna) after forgiveness suggests that true understanding requires a forgiving heart. How can we see clearly when anger clouds our vision?
Faith in God (āstikyam) concludes the list. When we trust in divine justice, we don't need to hold onto resentment. We can forgive because we know the universe has its own way of balancing things.
"He who sees equality everywhere, who sees others' happiness and distress as equal to his own, is considered to be the highest yogi, O Arjuna." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
ātmaupamyena sarvatra samaṁ paśyati yo 'rjunasukhaṁ vā yadi vā duḥkhaṁ sa yogī paramo mataḥ
English Translation:
He who through the likeness of the Self, O Arjuna, sees equality everywhere, be it pleasure or pain, is regarded as the highest yogi.
This beautiful quote from Chapter 6, Verse 32 reveals the empathy that makes forgiveness natural.
Ātmaupamyena - by comparison with oneself. This is the key to forgiveness. When you truly feel others' pain as your own, you understand why they act as they do.
People hurt others because they're hurting. When you see this clearly, forgiveness isn't a noble act anymore. It's just understanding. Like forgiving a child for lashing out when they're tired or hungry.
The highest yogi (paramo yogī) doesn't just intellectually understand this equality. They feel it. Others' joy brings them joy. Others' pain brings them pain. From this state, how can grudges exist?
Seeing equality everywhere (sarvatra samam) means recognizing that the person who hurt you is fundamentally no different from you. They want happiness, fear pain, make mistakes, suffer consequences.
This quote doesn't say to ignore boundaries or accept abuse. It says to understand the deeper reality - we're all souls having human experiences, sometimes skillfully, sometimes not.
When this understanding dawns, forgiveness becomes as natural as breathing. You don't forgive because you should. You forgive because you see clearly - that could have been me in their shoes.
"One who does My work and considers Me the Supreme Goal, who is devoted to Me and is free from attachment and enmity toward any being, reaches Me, O Arjuna." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
mat-karma-kṛn mat-paramo mad-bhaktaḥ saṅga-varjitaḥnirvairaḥ sarva-bhūteṣu yaḥ sa mām eti pāṇḍava
English Translation:
He who does My work, who looks upon Me as the Supreme Goal, who is My devotee, who is free from attachment, who is without enmity towards all beings, comes to Me, O Arjuna.
From Chapter 11, Verse 55, Lord Krishna gives the formula for reaching Him, and freedom from enmity is essential.
Nirvairaḥ - without enmity. Lord Krishna makes it clear: you can't reach the Divine while holding hatred. It's not a punishment. It's simple incompatibility. Love and hate can't coexist.
This applies to all beings (sarva-bhūteṣu), not just the nice ones. No exceptions. That person who betrayed you? Included. The one who hurt you deeply? Them too.
The spiritual path isn't about becoming perfect. It's about removing obstacles to our natural state. Enmity is a major obstacle. Forgiveness removes it.
Being devoted (mad-bhaktaḥ) and holding grudges don't mix. How can you love God while hating God's creation? Every being carries that divine spark, however hidden.
Free from attachment (saṅga-varjitaḥ) includes being free from attachment to our grievances. We sometimes hold onto hurts like treasures, defining ourselves by them. This quote says let them go.
The promise is direct - "sa mām eti" - such a person comes to Me. Not might come, not should come. Comes. Forgiveness isn't just nice. It's the path home.
"A person who has given up all desires for sense gratification, who lives free from desires, who has given up all sense of proprietorship and is devoid of false ego - he alone can attain real peace." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
vihāya kāmān yaḥ sarvān pumāṁś carati niḥspṛhaḥnirmamo nirahaṅkāraḥ sa śāntim adhigacchati
English Translation:
That person who gives up all material desires and lives free from longing, devoid of the sense of "mine" and ego, attains peace.
This profound insight from Chapter 2, Verse 71 shows how letting go of ego naturally leads to forgiveness.
Nirahaṅkāraḥ - without false ego. This is where forgiveness becomes effortless. When there's no ego to bruise, what needs forgiving?
Most conflicts arise from "I" and "mine" (nirmamo nirahaṅkāraḥ). My reputation, my rights, my feelings. But when these dissolve, conflicts dissolve too. There's no one left to be offended.
Peace (śāntim) isn't achieved by resolving every conflict. It comes from transcending the level where conflicts exist. This quote shows the ultimate forgiveness - not needing to forgive because you're beyond being hurt.
All desires (sarvān kāmān) include the desire for others to treat us certain ways. When people don't meet our expectations, resentment grows. No desires, no disappointments. No disappointments, no resentment.
Living free from desires (niḥspṛhaḥ) doesn't mean being passive. It means acting from completeness rather than need. From this state, others' actions can't disturb your peace.
The promise is clear - such a person attains peace (sa śāntim adhigacchati). Not temporary peace between conflicts, but abiding peace that comes from being beyond the whole game of offense and forgiveness.
After exploring these profound quotes on forgiveness from the Bhagavad Gita, several transformative insights emerge that can reshape how we approach forgiveness in our daily lives.
Here are the essential teachings to remember:
The Bhagavad Gita doesn't present forgiveness as a moral obligation or a sign of weakness. Instead, it reveals forgiveness as a natural expression of wisdom, a sign of spiritual maturity, and ultimately, a return to our true nature. When we understand who we really are - eternal souls temporarily in human form - the whole drama of hurt and forgiveness is seen in its proper perspective.
As we integrate these teachings, forgiveness transforms from a difficult practice to a natural state of being.
Have you ever held onto anger so tightly that it felt like carrying a burning coal in your hand? The Bhagavad Gita speaks to this universal human struggle with forgiveness in ways that might surprise you. While we often think forgiveness means letting someone off the hook, Lord Krishna reveals something deeper - forgiveness is actually about freeing ourselves from the chains of our own reactions.
In this exploration of forgiveness through the Bhagavad Gita, we'll discover how Lord Krishna guides Arjuna (and us) beyond simple concepts of right and wrong. We'll see how forgiveness connects to karma, why holding grudges blocks our spiritual growth, and how true forgiveness starts with understanding our own nature. These ancient quotes don't just tell us to forgive - they show us why forgiveness is the doorway to inner peace.
From battlefield wisdom to everyday conflicts, these teachings reveal forgiveness not as weakness but as the ultimate strength. Let's dive into what Lord Krishna actually says about letting go, moving forward, and finding that elusive peace we all seek.
"Forgiveness, truthfulness, compassion, and freedom from anger - these are the qualities of those endowed with divine nature, O Arjuna." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
ahiṁsā satyam akrodhas tyāgaḥ śāntir apaiśunamdayā bhūteṣv aloluptvaṁ mārdavaṁ hrīr acāpalam
English Translation:
Non-violence, truthfulness, freedom from anger, renunciation, tranquility, aversion to fault-finding, compassion toward all beings, freedom from covetousness, gentleness, modesty, and lack of fickleness.
This quote from Chapter 16, Verse 3 places forgiveness right at the foundation of divine qualities. Lord Krishna isn't just listing nice traits - He's mapping out what makes us truly human.
Think about it. When someone hurts you, your first instinct is what? Probably not forgiveness. It's anger, revenge, or at least some serious sulking. But Lord Krishna says forgiveness is actually our divine nature - it's who we really are beneath all the hurt and ego.
This changes everything. Forgiveness isn't something we force ourselves to do. It's returning to our true self.
When we don't forgive, we're actually going against our own nature. Like trying to swim upstream, it exhausts us. The anger we hold? It's not punishing the other person - it's punishing us by keeping us away from our divine qualities.
Notice how Lord Krishna connects forgiveness with freedom from anger. They're not separate things - they're two sides of the same coin.
Anger is like a fire that needs fuel. Unforgiveness is that fuel. Every time we replay that hurt, we add another log to the fire. But forgiveness? It's like removing the fuel source entirely. The fire naturally dies out.
This quote also shows us that divine qualities come as a package. You can't truly have compassion while holding grudges. You can't be peaceful while nursing anger. Forgiveness unlocks all these other divine qualities within us.
"One who is not envious but is a kind friend to all living entities, who does not think himself a proprietor and is free from false ego, who is equal in both happiness and distress, who is tolerant and forgiving..." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
adveṣṭā sarva-bhūtānāṁ maitraḥ karuṇa eva canirmamo nirahaṅkāraḥ sama-duḥkha-sukhaḥ kṣamī
English Translation:
One who is not envious but who is a kind friend to all living entities, who does not think himself a proprietor, who is free from false ego, who is equal both in happiness and distress, who is always satisfied, forgiving.
In Chapter 12, Verse 13, Lord Krishna describes His ideal devotee. And guess what makes the list? Being forgiving - kṣamī in Sanskrit.
Lord Krishna places forgiveness alongside some heavy hitters - freedom from ego, equanimity in joy and sorrow, universal friendship. This isn't random. These qualities grow together.
When you truly see yourself as connected to all beings (maitraḥ), how can you hold grudges? When you're free from ego (nirahaṅkāraḥ), what's there to feel offended about? Forgiveness naturally flows from this understanding.
The word kṣamī also means patient or tolerant. It's not just about forgiving past hurts. It's about developing such inner stability that you don't even get disturbed in the first place. That's the real goal.
Look closely at this quote. "Free from false ego" comes right before "forgiving." Coincidence? Definitely not.
Most of our inability to forgive comes from ego. "How dare they do this to ME?" "Don't they know who I am?" The ego keeps score, holds grudges, demands justice. But when ego dissolves, what's left to be hurt?
This quote also mentions not thinking oneself a proprietor - nirmamo. When we don't own anything, including our self-image, what can anyone really take from us? Forgiveness becomes natural when we have nothing to protect.
"A person is considered still further advanced when he regards honest well-wishers, affectionate benefactors, the neutral, mediators, the envious, friends and enemies, the pious and the sinners all with an equal mind." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
suhṛn-mitrāry-udāsīna-madhyastha-dveṣya-bandhuṣusādhuṣv api ca pāpeṣu sama-buddhir viśiṣyate
English Translation:
He who regards equally well-wishers, friends, foes, the indifferent, the neutral, the hateful, relatives, the righteous, and even sinners, excels.
This powerful quote from Chapter 6, Verse 9 takes forgiveness to another level. It's not just about forgiving those who hurt us - it's about transcending the whole friend-enemy distinction.
We usually think forgiveness means moving someone from the "enemy" column to the "friend" column. But Lord Krishna suggests something radical - what if there were no columns at all?
Equal vision (sama-buddhi) doesn't mean you trust everyone equally or that you don't have boundaries. It means you see the same divine spark in everyone. The saint and the sinner both carry that same essence.
This perspective shift makes forgiveness almost automatic. When you see everyone as souls on a journey, making mistakes just like you, how can you hold onto resentment?
Notice Lord Krishna says this person "excels" or is "distinguished" (viśiṣyate). This equal vision isn't beginner-level spirituality. It's advanced stuff.
Why? Because it requires us to completely rewire how we see the world. Our mind naturally categorizes people - friend, enemy, neutral. It's a survival mechanism. But spiritual growth means going beyond survival mode.
This quote also lists seven types of people, from well-wishers to sinners. That covers pretty much everyone you'll meet. The message is clear - no exceptions to this equal vision. Even those who actively hate you (dveṣya) deserve this same understanding.
"One who works in devotion, who is a pure soul, and who controls his mind and senses is dear to everyone, and everyone is dear to him. Though always working, such a man is never entangled." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
yoga-yukto viśuddhātmā vijitātmā jitendriyaḥsarva-bhūtātma-bhūtātmā kurvann api na lipyate
English Translation:
One who is devoted, pure in soul, self-controlled and master of his senses, who sees his Self as the Self in all beings, is not tainted though he acts.
From Chapter 5, Verse 7, this quote reveals why forgiveness becomes natural for the realized soul.
When you see your Self in all beings (sarva-bhūtātma-bhūtātmā), forgiveness isn't even a choice anymore. It's like forgiving your own hand for accidentally hitting you. There's no "other" to forgive.
The pure soul (viśuddhātmā) doesn't get entangled (na lipyate) in actions - their own or others'. Imagine water rolling off a lotus leaf. That's how hurts and offenses affect the pure soul. They simply don't stick.
This isn't about becoming emotionally numb. It's about operating from such a deep center that surface waves don't disturb you.
The key word here is "lipyate" - being tainted or attached. When someone hurts us, we usually get stuck to that hurt. We carry it around, replay it, let it define us.
But this quote shows another way. Even while acting in the world (kurvann api), we can remain untouched. Not because we don't care, but because we understand our true nature.
Control of mind and senses (vijitātmā jitendriyaḥ) isn't about suppression. It's about not letting every external event create internal chaos. When your mind is steady, forgiveness isn't hard work - it's your natural state.
"The Supreme Lord said: Fearlessness, purification of one's existence... freedom from anger... these transcendental qualities belong to godly men endowed with divine nature." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
abhayaṁ sattva-saṁśuddhir jñāna-yoga-vyavasthitiḥdānaṁ damaś ca yajñaś ca svādhyāyas tapa ārjavamahiṁsā satyam akrodhas...
English Translation:
Fearlessness, purity of heart, steadfastness in knowledge and yoga, charity, self-control, sacrifice, study of the scriptures, austerity, straightforwardness, non-violence, truthfulness, freedom from anger...
In Chapter 16, Verses 1-2, Lord Krishna lists divine qualities, and freedom from anger (akrodha) makes the list. This directly connects to forgiveness.
You can't have genuine forgiveness while holding onto anger. They're mutually exclusive. Akrodha - freedom from anger - isn't about never feeling angry. It's about not letting anger become your master.
Look at the company anger keeps in this list - or rather, doesn't keep. It's absent among divine qualities like fearlessness, purity, truthfulness. Anger is the odd one out in divine nature.
When anger leaves, forgiveness naturally enters. It's like opening windows in a stuffy room - fresh air rushes in automatically.
The Sanskrit word akrodha is beautifully precise. The 'a' prefix means absence or freedom from. Krodha is anger. So it's not about fighting anger - it's about transcending it entirely.
This quote places freedom from anger alongside fearlessness (abhayam). There's a connection. When we're truly fearless, what can make us angry? Anger often comes from fear - fear of being hurt, disrespected, or losing something.
The progression of qualities listed here also matters. Purity of heart (sattva-saṁśuddhir) comes before freedom from anger. First, we purify our inner state. Then anger naturally dissolves. And with it, the inability to forgive.
"One whose mind remains undisturbed in spite of misery, who does not crave for pleasure, and who is free from attachment, fear and anger, is called a sage of steady wisdom." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
duḥkheṣv anudvigna-manāḥ sukheṣu vigata-spṛhaḥvīta-rāga-bhaya-krodhaḥ sthita-dhīr munir ucyate
English Translation:
He whose mind is not shaken by adversity, who does not hanker after pleasures, and who is free from attachment, fear and anger, is called a sage of steady wisdom.
This profound quote from Chapter 2, Verse 56 shows us the mindset that makes forgiveness effortless.
An undisturbed mind (anudvigna-manāḥ) in misery - that's the key. When someone hurts us, it's a form of misery. But if our mind remains steady even then, what's there to forgive?
The sage of steady wisdom (sthita-dhīr) doesn't need to practice forgiveness. Their mental state prevents resentment from forming in the first place. It's like having such good health that you don't need medicine.
This isn't about being emotionless. It's about having such inner stability that external events don't create lasting disturbance. The hurt might come, but it passes through without leaving residue.
Most of us struggle with forgiveness because we're attached to our story of being wronged. But look at this quote - freedom from attachment (vīta-rāga) is part of steady wisdom.
When you're not attached to pleasure (vigata-spṛhaḥ), you're also not attached to your version of how people should treat you. Expectations create disappointments. No expectations, no disappointments. No disappointments, nothing to forgive.
The combination of fear and anger (bhaya-krodhaḥ) is telling. Often our anger masks fear. We're afraid of being taken advantage of, so we stay angry. But the sage transcends both, making forgiveness a non-issue.
"Before giving up this present body, if one is able to tolerate the urges of the material senses and check the force of desire and anger, he is well-situated and is happy in this world." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
śaknotihaiva yaḥ soḍhuṁ prāk śarīra-vimokṣaṇātkāma-krodhodbhavaṁ vegaṁ sa yuktaḥ sa sukhī naraḥ
English Translation:
He who is able, while still here in this world before giving up this body, to withstand the impulse born of desire and anger, is a yogi and is happy.
From Chapter 5, Verse 23, Lord Krishna gives us a practical deadline for mastering forgiveness.
Before death (prāk śarīra-vimokṣaṇāt) - Lord Krishna isn't being morbid. He's being practical. We don't have forever to work on forgiveness. Every moment we hold anger is a moment of life wasted.
The word "vegam" means force or impulse. Anger isn't just a feeling - it's a force that pushes us to act. And usually, those actions create more problems, more karma, more need for forgiveness later.
This quote makes forgiveness urgent. Not something for "someday when I'm more spiritual." But now, while we still have this body and this chance.
"Sa sukhī naraḥ" - such a person is happy. It's that simple. Hold onto anger, be miserable. Let it go, be happy. Lord Krishna isn't promising happiness in some future life. He says this person is happy in this world (ihaiva).
The connection between desire and anger (kāma-krodha) is crucial. When desires are blocked, anger arises. When we want people to act certain ways and they don't, we get angry. Forgiveness means releasing both the desire and the anger.
Being "yukta" (well-situated or connected) comes from this inner work. You can't be truly connected while holding disconnecting emotions like anger and resentment.
"Even if you are considered to be the most sinful of all sinners, when you are situated in the boat of transcendental knowledge you will be able to cross over the ocean of miseries." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
api ced asi pāpebhyaḥ sarvebhyaḥ pāpa-kṛt-tamaḥsarvaṁ jñāna-plavenaiva vṛjinaṁ santariṣyasi
English Translation:
Even if you are the most sinful of all sinners, you shall cross over all sin by the raft of knowledge alone.
This powerful promise from Chapter 4, Verse 36 shows how understanding transforms our ability to forgive - both others and ourselves.
Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is yourself. Lord Krishna addresses this directly - even the worst sinner (pāpa-kṛt-tamaḥ) can transcend their past through knowledge.
This isn't about excusing wrong actions. It's about understanding that our true nature is beyond our mistakes. When you know who you really are, you can forgive who you thought you were.
The ocean of miseries (vṛjinam) includes the misery of guilt and self-hatred. Knowledge is the boat that carries us across. Not by denying what happened, but by seeing it from a higher perspective.
Knowledge (jñāna) here isn't intellectual information. It's direct understanding of reality. When you truly know that everyone is a soul learning through experiences, forgiveness becomes natural.
The metaphor of a boat (plava) is perfect. A boat doesn't fight the ocean - it rises above it. Similarly, knowledge doesn't fight against past hurts. It lifts us to a level where those hurts lose their grip.
This quote also implies that without knowledge, we're drowning in reactions to past actions. Every unforgiven hurt keeps us in that ocean. Knowledge is the life raft that saves us from drowning in resentment.
"Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom and religiousness - these are the natural qualities by which the brāhmaṇas work." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
śamo damas tapaḥ śaucaṁ kṣāntir ārjavam eva cajñānaṁ vijñānam āstikyaṁ brahma-karma svabhāva-jam
English Translation:
Tranquility, restraint, austerity, purity, forgiveness, simplicity, knowledge, wisdom, and faith in God are the duties of the Brahmanas, born of their own nature.
In Chapter 18, Verse 42, Lord Krishna includes forgiveness (kṣānti) among the highest spiritual qualities.
Kṣānti means both tolerance and forgiveness. Lord Krishna lists it among brahminical qualities - those associated with spiritual leadership and wisdom. This isn't about caste but about consciousness.
Notice the progression: peacefulness (śama), self-control (dama), then eventually forgiveness (kṣānti). You need inner peace and control before you can truly forgive. Otherwise, it's just suppression.
These qualities are called svabhāva-jam - born of one's own nature. Forgiveness isn't an artificial imposition. For those on the spiritual path, it emerges naturally as consciousness evolves.
Forgiveness sits between purity (śaucam) and simplicity (ārjavam). This placement is significant. Holding grudges makes the mind impure and complicated. Forgiveness purifies and simplifies.
The inclusion of both knowledge (jñāna) and wisdom (vijñāna) after forgiveness suggests that true understanding requires a forgiving heart. How can we see clearly when anger clouds our vision?
Faith in God (āstikyam) concludes the list. When we trust in divine justice, we don't need to hold onto resentment. We can forgive because we know the universe has its own way of balancing things.
"He who sees equality everywhere, who sees others' happiness and distress as equal to his own, is considered to be the highest yogi, O Arjuna." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
ātmaupamyena sarvatra samaṁ paśyati yo 'rjunasukhaṁ vā yadi vā duḥkhaṁ sa yogī paramo mataḥ
English Translation:
He who through the likeness of the Self, O Arjuna, sees equality everywhere, be it pleasure or pain, is regarded as the highest yogi.
This beautiful quote from Chapter 6, Verse 32 reveals the empathy that makes forgiveness natural.
Ātmaupamyena - by comparison with oneself. This is the key to forgiveness. When you truly feel others' pain as your own, you understand why they act as they do.
People hurt others because they're hurting. When you see this clearly, forgiveness isn't a noble act anymore. It's just understanding. Like forgiving a child for lashing out when they're tired or hungry.
The highest yogi (paramo yogī) doesn't just intellectually understand this equality. They feel it. Others' joy brings them joy. Others' pain brings them pain. From this state, how can grudges exist?
Seeing equality everywhere (sarvatra samam) means recognizing that the person who hurt you is fundamentally no different from you. They want happiness, fear pain, make mistakes, suffer consequences.
This quote doesn't say to ignore boundaries or accept abuse. It says to understand the deeper reality - we're all souls having human experiences, sometimes skillfully, sometimes not.
When this understanding dawns, forgiveness becomes as natural as breathing. You don't forgive because you should. You forgive because you see clearly - that could have been me in their shoes.
"One who does My work and considers Me the Supreme Goal, who is devoted to Me and is free from attachment and enmity toward any being, reaches Me, O Arjuna." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
mat-karma-kṛn mat-paramo mad-bhaktaḥ saṅga-varjitaḥnirvairaḥ sarva-bhūteṣu yaḥ sa mām eti pāṇḍava
English Translation:
He who does My work, who looks upon Me as the Supreme Goal, who is My devotee, who is free from attachment, who is without enmity towards all beings, comes to Me, O Arjuna.
From Chapter 11, Verse 55, Lord Krishna gives the formula for reaching Him, and freedom from enmity is essential.
Nirvairaḥ - without enmity. Lord Krishna makes it clear: you can't reach the Divine while holding hatred. It's not a punishment. It's simple incompatibility. Love and hate can't coexist.
This applies to all beings (sarva-bhūteṣu), not just the nice ones. No exceptions. That person who betrayed you? Included. The one who hurt you deeply? Them too.
The spiritual path isn't about becoming perfect. It's about removing obstacles to our natural state. Enmity is a major obstacle. Forgiveness removes it.
Being devoted (mad-bhaktaḥ) and holding grudges don't mix. How can you love God while hating God's creation? Every being carries that divine spark, however hidden.
Free from attachment (saṅga-varjitaḥ) includes being free from attachment to our grievances. We sometimes hold onto hurts like treasures, defining ourselves by them. This quote says let them go.
The promise is direct - "sa mām eti" - such a person comes to Me. Not might come, not should come. Comes. Forgiveness isn't just nice. It's the path home.
"A person who has given up all desires for sense gratification, who lives free from desires, who has given up all sense of proprietorship and is devoid of false ego - he alone can attain real peace." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
vihāya kāmān yaḥ sarvān pumāṁś carati niḥspṛhaḥnirmamo nirahaṅkāraḥ sa śāntim adhigacchati
English Translation:
That person who gives up all material desires and lives free from longing, devoid of the sense of "mine" and ego, attains peace.
This profound insight from Chapter 2, Verse 71 shows how letting go of ego naturally leads to forgiveness.
Nirahaṅkāraḥ - without false ego. This is where forgiveness becomes effortless. When there's no ego to bruise, what needs forgiving?
Most conflicts arise from "I" and "mine" (nirmamo nirahaṅkāraḥ). My reputation, my rights, my feelings. But when these dissolve, conflicts dissolve too. There's no one left to be offended.
Peace (śāntim) isn't achieved by resolving every conflict. It comes from transcending the level where conflicts exist. This quote shows the ultimate forgiveness - not needing to forgive because you're beyond being hurt.
All desires (sarvān kāmān) include the desire for others to treat us certain ways. When people don't meet our expectations, resentment grows. No desires, no disappointments. No disappointments, no resentment.
Living free from desires (niḥspṛhaḥ) doesn't mean being passive. It means acting from completeness rather than need. From this state, others' actions can't disturb your peace.
The promise is clear - such a person attains peace (sa śāntim adhigacchati). Not temporary peace between conflicts, but abiding peace that comes from being beyond the whole game of offense and forgiveness.
After exploring these profound quotes on forgiveness from the Bhagavad Gita, several transformative insights emerge that can reshape how we approach forgiveness in our daily lives.
Here are the essential teachings to remember:
The Bhagavad Gita doesn't present forgiveness as a moral obligation or a sign of weakness. Instead, it reveals forgiveness as a natural expression of wisdom, a sign of spiritual maturity, and ultimately, a return to our true nature. When we understand who we really are - eternal souls temporarily in human form - the whole drama of hurt and forgiveness is seen in its proper perspective.
As we integrate these teachings, forgiveness transforms from a difficult practice to a natural state of being.