7 Gita Shlokas for Healing From Betrayal
Nidhi | Jul 28, 2025, 17:08 IST
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
Highlight of the story: Betrayal leaves a wound deeper than words can express, shaking our trust and sense of stability. The Bhagavad Gita offers profound guidance for such moments, teaching us how to rise above hurt and transform pain into wisdom. In this article, we explore 7 powerful Gita shlokas that provide emotional balance, clarity, and inner strength. These verses are not just spiritual teachings but practical tools for overcoming grief, reclaiming peace, and moving forward with purpose. If you’re searching for healing after betrayal, the Gita’s timeless words offer a path toward restoration and strength.
“सुखदुःखे समे कृत्वा लाभालाभौ जयाजयौ।
ततो युद्धाय युज्यस्व नैवं पापमवाप्स्यसि॥”
(Bhagavad Gita 2.38)
Translation: “Treat pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat alike. Then prepare for your duty. Thus you will not incur sin.”
Betrayal is one of life’s deepest wounds; not just because of the act itself, but because it shakes the very trust on which relationships are built. It leaves us questioning everything: our choices, our worth, even our ability to trust again. But in the midst of this storm, the Bhagavad Gita offers an anchor. Krishna does not tell us that pain will disappear. Instead, he shows us how to rise above it, transforming pain into wisdom, and betrayal into strength.
“स्थिरबुद्धिरसम्मूढो ब्रह्मविद् ब्रह्मणिष्ठितः।”
(Bhagavad Gita 5.20)
Translation: “One who is steady in intellect and free from delusion, who knows Brahman and is established in it, neither rejoices on obtaining the pleasant nor grieves on encountering the unpleasant.”
Betrayal creates an emotional storm because we tie our happiness to external people or events. This shloka reminds us that true stability comes from grounding ourselves in something unchanging—our higher self, not in temporary relationships. To heal, we must redirect our focus inward, away from what others did or did not do, and toward what keeps us centered and whole.
“कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥”
(Bhagavad Gita 2.47)
Translation: “You have the right to perform your duties, but never to the fruits of your actions. Do not be motivated by results, nor attach yourself to inaction.”
Betrayal often hurts because it violates our expectations—of loyalty, fairness, or gratitude. Krishna tells us that our power lies in our actions, not in controlling how others respond. If we do what is right for its own sake, without being enslaved by results, betrayal loses its power to define our worth.
“योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय।
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते॥”
(Bhagavad Gita 2.48)
Translation: “Perform your actions with evenness of mind, abandoning attachment, and remaining steady in success and failure. Such equanimity is called Yoga.”
When betrayed, we are tempted to either collapse into despair or retaliate in anger. Krishna defines Yoga not as postures or rituals but as equanimity, acting with balance, free from emotional extremes. This mental discipline allows us to face betrayal with clarity instead of being consumed by it.
“उदासीनवदासीनो गुणैर्यो न विचाल्यते।
गुणा वर्तन्त इत्येवं योऽवतिष्ठति नेङ्गते॥”
(Bhagavad Gita 14.23)
Translation: “One who remains like an impartial observer, undisturbed by the modes of nature, knowing that they alone act, does not waver.”
This verse teaches the value of detachment. Instead of reacting impulsively to betrayal, we can take a step back and observe, not to suppress emotions, but to understand that actions are driven by people’s nature and circumstances. Seeing things impersonally reduces the sting of betrayal and prevents it from consuming our identity.
“यदा संहरते चायं कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वशः।
इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता॥”
(Bhagavad Gita 2.58)
Translation: “When one withdraws the senses from sense-objects as a tortoise withdraws its limbs, that person is firmly established in wisdom.”
Healing often requires creating distance—from toxic situations, conversations, or even people who caused harm. Like the tortoise withdrawing its limbs, we can pull back to protect our inner peace. This withdrawal is not weakness but wisdom, a conscious choice to safeguard our well-being while we regain emotional stability.
“नायं हन्ति न हन्यते।”
(Bhagavad Gita 2.19)
Translation: “The soul neither kills nor can be killed.”
Betrayal can feel like an attack on who we are. Krishna reminds us that beyond the body, mind, and emotions lies the atman: the soul, which remains untouched by worldly actions. No betrayal can diminish our true self. This understanding rebuilds a sense of inner invincibility that no one can take away.
“तस्मादसक्तः सततं कार्यं कर्म समाचर।
असक्तो ह्याचरन्कर्म परमाप्नोति पुरुषः॥”
(Bhagavad Gita 3.19)
Translation: “Therefore, without attachment, constantly perform the work that needs to be done. By doing work without attachment, one attains the Supreme.”
The final step in healing is not dwelling on betrayal but moving forward. This shloka calls us to continue fulfilling our responsibilities, living by our values, and focusing on purpose instead of pain. When we detach from outcomes and keep walking our path, we transform betrayal into a stepping stone for growth.
The Bhagavad Gita does not promise that life will be free of pain, nor that people will always meet our expectations. What it offers is a way to stand unshaken, even when the ground beneath us trembles. Betrayal may leave scars, but it cannot touch the core of who we are.
Each of these shlokas reminds us of one profound truth: we cannot control what others do, but we can master how we respond. In that mastery lies freedom. Healing is not about erasing the past—it is about reclaiming our peace, living by our values, and transforming hurt into a deeper understanding of ourselves.
ततो युद्धाय युज्यस्व नैवं पापमवाप्स्यसि॥”
(Bhagavad Gita 2.38)
Translation: “Treat pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat alike. Then prepare for your duty. Thus you will not incur sin.”
Betrayal is one of life’s deepest wounds; not just because of the act itself, but because it shakes the very trust on which relationships are built. It leaves us questioning everything: our choices, our worth, even our ability to trust again. But in the midst of this storm, the Bhagavad Gita offers an anchor. Krishna does not tell us that pain will disappear. Instead, he shows us how to rise above it, transforming pain into wisdom, and betrayal into strength.
1. Stay Steady Amid Pain and Joy
Stable
( Image credit : Pexels )
“स्थिरबुद्धिरसम्मूढो ब्रह्मविद् ब्रह्मणिष्ठितः।”
(Bhagavad Gita 5.20)
Translation: “One who is steady in intellect and free from delusion, who knows Brahman and is established in it, neither rejoices on obtaining the pleasant nor grieves on encountering the unpleasant.”
Betrayal creates an emotional storm because we tie our happiness to external people or events. This shloka reminds us that true stability comes from grounding ourselves in something unchanging—our higher self, not in temporary relationships. To heal, we must redirect our focus inward, away from what others did or did not do, and toward what keeps us centered and whole.
2. Focus Only on Your Actions, Not Their Results
Action
( Image credit : Timeslife )
“कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥”
(Bhagavad Gita 2.47)
Translation: “You have the right to perform your duties, but never to the fruits of your actions. Do not be motivated by results, nor attach yourself to inaction.”
Betrayal often hurts because it violates our expectations—of loyalty, fairness, or gratitude. Krishna tells us that our power lies in our actions, not in controlling how others respond. If we do what is right for its own sake, without being enslaved by results, betrayal loses its power to define our worth.
3. Maintain Equanimity in All Situations
Equanimity
( Image credit : Pexels )
“योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय।
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते॥”
(Bhagavad Gita 2.48)
Translation: “Perform your actions with evenness of mind, abandoning attachment, and remaining steady in success and failure. Such equanimity is called Yoga.”
When betrayed, we are tempted to either collapse into despair or retaliate in anger. Krishna defines Yoga not as postures or rituals but as equanimity, acting with balance, free from emotional extremes. This mental discipline allows us to face betrayal with clarity instead of being consumed by it.
4. Be an Observer, Not a Reactor
गुणा वर्तन्त इत्येवं योऽवतिष्ठति नेङ्गते॥”
(Bhagavad Gita 14.23)
Translation: “One who remains like an impartial observer, undisturbed by the modes of nature, knowing that they alone act, does not waver.”
This verse teaches the value of detachment. Instead of reacting impulsively to betrayal, we can take a step back and observe, not to suppress emotions, but to understand that actions are driven by people’s nature and circumstances. Seeing things impersonally reduces the sting of betrayal and prevents it from consuming our identity.
5. Withdraw from What Harms Your Peace
Peace
( Image credit : Freepik )
“यदा संहरते चायं कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वशः।
इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता॥”
(Bhagavad Gita 2.58)
Translation: “When one withdraws the senses from sense-objects as a tortoise withdraws its limbs, that person is firmly established in wisdom.”
Healing often requires creating distance—from toxic situations, conversations, or even people who caused harm. Like the tortoise withdrawing its limbs, we can pull back to protect our inner peace. This withdrawal is not weakness but wisdom, a conscious choice to safeguard our well-being while we regain emotional stability.
6. Remember Your True Self Cannot Be Hurt
Self
( Image credit : Pexels )
“नायं हन्ति न हन्यते।”
(Bhagavad Gita 2.19)
Translation: “The soul neither kills nor can be killed.”
Betrayal can feel like an attack on who we are. Krishna reminds us that beyond the body, mind, and emotions lies the atman: the soul, which remains untouched by worldly actions. No betrayal can diminish our true self. This understanding rebuilds a sense of inner invincibility that no one can take away.
7. Keep Doing What Is Right Without Attachment
Detachment.
( Image credit : Pexels )
“तस्मादसक्तः सततं कार्यं कर्म समाचर।
असक्तो ह्याचरन्कर्म परमाप्नोति पुरुषः॥”
(Bhagavad Gita 3.19)
Translation: “Therefore, without attachment, constantly perform the work that needs to be done. By doing work without attachment, one attains the Supreme.”
The final step in healing is not dwelling on betrayal but moving forward. This shloka calls us to continue fulfilling our responsibilities, living by our values, and focusing on purpose instead of pain. When we detach from outcomes and keep walking our path, we transform betrayal into a stepping stone for growth.
The Gita’s Answer to the Deepest Hurt
Each of these shlokas reminds us of one profound truth: we cannot control what others do, but we can master how we respond. In that mastery lies freedom. Healing is not about erasing the past—it is about reclaiming our peace, living by our values, and transforming hurt into a deeper understanding of ourselves.