Krishna Never Said to Forgive Everyone. He Said Know Who Deserves It
Manika | Jul 23, 2025, 14:45 IST
( Image credit : Pixabay )
In a world that preaches forgiveness as a universal virtue, Krishna offers a more nuanced perspective in the Bhagavad Gita. This article explores why Krishna never asked Arjuna or any of us to blindly forgive everyone. Instead, he taught the wisdom of discernment: understanding who truly deserves your forgiveness and who doesn't. From toxic relationships to betrayal, this piece will help you rethink forgiveness, not as weakness, but as conscious strength.
Modern spirituality often carries a half-truth: that to be a good person, you must forgive everyone no matter what they did, how much it hurt, or whether they’ve changed. But that’s not what Krishna taught. Not at Kurukshetra. Not to Arjuna. Not even to us.
Yes, forgiveness is divine. But blind forgiveness? That’s dangerous.
Krishna never said, “Turn the other cheek.” Instead, he told Arjuna to take up arms against his own blood, not out of hate, but out of dharma. He didn’t preach passivity. He preached awareness, responsibility, and above all discernment.
When Krishna counseled Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita, he didn’t say,
“Your cousins hurt you, but forgive and forget.”
He said,
“They have chosen adharma. And your silence now will only fuel their injustice.”
Krishna’s guidance wasn’t about revenge. It was about restoration of balance.
About understanding who’s truly remorseful and who’s manipulating your kindness.
He taught Arjuna that you don’t have to carry resentment, but that doesn’t mean you must reconcile with the people who betrayed you.
There’s a reason Krishna is known as Madhav, the one who’s sweet and yet, Ranchod the one who strategically retreats when needed. He embodied both softness and strategy. He forgave Shishupal 100 times before lifting his Sudarshan Chakra. He gave people chances, but not infinite passes.
Because even God has boundaries.
Forgiveness, in Krishna’s world, wasn’t free. It had to be earned. And sometimes, not even regret was enough because some apologies come too late, and some wounds run too deep.
Krishna’s teachings suggest a subtle answer:
Forgive those who are truly sorry.
Forgive when it sets you free.
Forgive when it heals not when it harms.
But also;
Don’t forgive people who keep harming you while asking for a second chance.
Don’t forgive to be liked.
And don’t forgive because society romanticizes suffering.
Forgiveness is sacred, not performative. It is for the strong, not the suppressed.
When Krishna didn’t join the war as a warrior, he made a statement:
“I choose how I show up.”
That’s the message for anyone navigating guilt-tripping or manipulative apologies.
You don’t need to scream or fight. You can simply not show up the way they expect.
Sometimes forgiveness looks like letting go.
Sometimes it looks like walking away without resentment, without bitterness, but also without return.
This is perhaps the hardest part. We’re conditioned to equate forgiveness with reunion.
But Krishna never taught that.
He tells Arjuna, “Act without attachment.” That means you can forgive in your heart but never have to shake hands again. You can bless people from afar and still block them on your phone.
Because real forgiveness is for your peace not their convenience.
Take Karna, who fought for the Kauravas despite knowing the truth. Krishna tried many times to bring him to the right side, even offering him a kingdom. But when Karna refused, Krishna did not force him or endlessly hope he’d change.
He let go.
And yet, when Karna lay dying, Krishna acknowledged his loyalty and courage.
Compassion? Yes.
Forgiveness? Yes.
But not stupidity.
Krishna taught that life is complex. People are layered. And your heart deserves the same level of care you offer to others.
So no-don’t forgive everyone.
Forgive wisely.
Forgive kindly.
But above all, forgive consciously.
Let Krishna’s wisdom be your guide:
The world needs less guilt-driven empathy and more courageous clarity.
Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Spiritual, Travel, Life Hacks, Trending, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!
Yes, forgiveness is divine. But blind forgiveness? That’s dangerous.
Krishna never said, “Turn the other cheek.” Instead, he told Arjuna to take up arms against his own blood, not out of hate, but out of dharma. He didn’t preach passivity. He preached awareness, responsibility, and above all discernment.
Forgiveness Isn’t a Moral Obligation. It’s a Conscious Choice.
Krishna said: Forgive
( Image credit : Freepik )
When Krishna counseled Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita, he didn’t say,
“Your cousins hurt you, but forgive and forget.”
He said,
“They have chosen adharma. And your silence now will only fuel their injustice.”
Krishna’s guidance wasn’t about revenge. It was about restoration of balance.
About understanding who’s truly remorseful and who’s manipulating your kindness.
He taught Arjuna that you don’t have to carry resentment, but that doesn’t mean you must reconcile with the people who betrayed you.
Discernment Over Blanket Forgiveness
Because even God has boundaries.
Forgiveness, in Krishna’s world, wasn’t free. It had to be earned. And sometimes, not even regret was enough because some apologies come too late, and some wounds run too deep.
Who Deserves Forgiveness Then?
Forgive those who are truly sorry.
Forgive when it sets you free.
Forgive when it heals not when it harms.
But also;
Don’t forgive people who keep harming you while asking for a second chance.
Don’t forgive to be liked.
And don’t forgive because society romanticizes suffering.
Forgiveness is sacred, not performative. It is for the strong, not the suppressed.
The Power of Boundaries
“I choose how I show up.”
That’s the message for anyone navigating guilt-tripping or manipulative apologies.
You don’t need to scream or fight. You can simply not show up the way they expect.
Sometimes forgiveness looks like letting go.
Sometimes it looks like walking away without resentment, without bitterness, but also without return.
You Can Forgive Without Re-entry
But Krishna never taught that.
He tells Arjuna, “Act without attachment.” That means you can forgive in your heart but never have to shake hands again. You can bless people from afar and still block them on your phone.
Because real forgiveness is for your peace not their convenience.
Krishna’s Own Life: A Case Study in Selective Grace
He let go.
And yet, when Karna lay dying, Krishna acknowledged his loyalty and courage.
Compassion? Yes.
Forgiveness? Yes.
But not stupidity.
Don’t Let Guilt Weaponize Your Grace
So no-don’t forgive everyone.
Forgive wisely.
Forgive kindly.
But above all, forgive consciously.
Let Krishna’s wisdom be your guide:
The world needs less guilt-driven empathy and more courageous clarity.
Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Spiritual, Travel, Life Hacks, Trending, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!