Bhagavad Gita on Forgiveness

Forgiveness as a personal trait is a settled willingness to release resentment and give people the chance to change, including ourselves. It does not require pretending that harm did not happen, and it does not always mean returning to the same relationship. It tends to bring relief to the one who forgives. People who forgive easily are often seen as strong, because they are not controlled by old wounds.

Gita 16.3 combines inner vigor with forgiveness, endurance and purity, and describes a person free from hatred and arrogance, so let go of grudges, stay steady under pressure and measure your worth by character, not status or recognition. Gita 12.13 describes a devotee who treats all beings with friendship and compassion and is forgiving, so check your inner attitude toward others and replace resentment with kindness. Gita 10.34 lists forgiveness among the virtues that express the divine order in life.

The Gita also speaks about being forgiven and starting over. Gita 11.44 shows a devotee approaching the Lord with humility and trust in His forgiveness, as natural as forgiveness within the closest human bonds, so ask for forgiveness sincerely and extend it to those closest to you with the same generosity. Gita 9.30 says a sincere turning toward the Divine redefines a person, so do not define yourself or others only by past mistakes, and recognize that a sincere change of direction deserves support.