Gita for life

Kindness & relationships

दया और रिश्ते

Forgiveness, calm and compassion with the people around you.

Explanations in
Bhagavad Gita 12.13 →

अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च। निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः समदुःखसुखः क्षमी॥

He who is incapable of hatred towards any being, who is kind and compassionate, free from selfishness, without pride, equable in pleasure and pain, and forgiving—

Simple meaning

Krishna begins describing the people dear to him: those who hate no one, who are friendly and compassionate, free from selfishness and ego, steady in pleasure and pain, and forgiving.

In real life

A woman chooses to forgive a relative who hurt her years ago. The relationship isn't perfect, but she is no longer carrying the weight.

A shopkeeper treats every customer kindly, including the rude ones, and becomes the most trusted shop in the neighbourhood.

Try this today: Think of one person you're holding a grudge against. Do one small kind thing, even just a kind thought, toward them.

Bhagavad Gita 12.15 →

यस्मान्नोद्विजते लोको लोकान्नोद्विजते च यः। हर्षामर्षभयोद्वेगैर्मुक्तो यः स च मे प्रियः॥

He who does not harm the world, and whom the world cannot harm, who is not carried away by any impulse of joy, anger, or fear; such a one is My beloved.

Simple meaning

Krishna says the person dear to him neither disturbs the world nor is disturbed by it, and isn't swept away by excitement, anger, fear or anxiety. They are a calm presence for others.

In real life

In a tense family gathering, one cousin neither stirs up drama nor gets pulled into it, and others naturally calm down around her.

A colleague who never gossips and doesn't react to office politics becomes the person everyone trusts.

Try this today: Today, in one conversation, aim to be the calmest person in the room.

What's your duvidha?

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English translation by Shri Purohit Swami (1935), public domain. Sanskrit text in the public domain. About Duvidha