Why Even Krishna’s Family Walked Away: A Lost Teaching from the Gita
Nidhi | Jul 15, 2025, 17:02 IST
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
Highlight of the story: We all believe family is forever — but what happens when it loses its purpose? This article dives into the forgotten story of how Krishna’s own family fell apart despite living under his divine guidance. It unpacks a powerful lesson hidden in the Gita: that Dharma — our true sense of right and wrong — must come before blind loyalty, even to those we love most. This is not just an old story from the Mahabharata; it’s a reminder for us today that sometimes the bravest thing we can do is walk away when what we love no longer serves truth.
“अन्यथा चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जनाः पर्युपासते ।
तेऽपि मामेव कौन्तेय यान्ति नास्त्यत्र संशयः ॥”
— Bhagavad Gita 9.23
(“Even those who worship other deities with faith, they too worship Me alone, O son of Kunti, but by the wrong method.”)
It is one of the most paradoxical truths hidden within Krishna’s life: that his own kinsmen, the mighty Yadavas who were born, raised, and protected under his divine care, ultimately turned against Dharma, walked away from him in spirit, and destroyed themselves.
The Bhagavad Gita, spoken by Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, has become a timeless guide to inner clarity and spiritual strength. Yet within its verses lies a subtle but powerful truth: no bond is permanent when it loses sight of Dharma, not even the bond of family with God himself.
This is the forgotten lesson: attachment without wisdom can lead to downfall, even if you share a roof with the Divine.
In Chapter 18, he says clearly:
“Thus I have explained to you this knowledge… deeply reflect on it, and then do as you wish.”
Krishna’s bond with his devotees is built on conscious choice, not forced loyalty. Unfortunately, the Yadavas grew arrogant in the shadow of his divinity. What started as loyalty turned into entitlement.
The Gita reminds us that spiritual vision must be stronger than family ties. Arjuna was taught how to see truth beyond his attachment. The Yadavas, blinded by their pride, never looked inward. That is why even their closeness to Krishna could not save them.
The Gita warns repeatedly about the three gates to hell: lust, anger, and greed.
The Yadavas forgot that Krishna was their protector, not their personal source of power. They began to use their connection with him to conquer, dominate, and live in arrogance.
The lesson is clear. Divine presence protects only when the mind stays aligned with Dharma. When ego and pride replace humility and discipline, not even God stops the consequences.
Arjuna’s crisis came from the fear of harming his own relatives. Krishna reminds him,
“Your obligation is to your Dharma, not your relationships.”
This principle explains why Krishna did not stop the curse that fell on the Yadavas. He accepted it because it was Dharma’s way of cleansing the clan of arrogance.
Family is sacred, but when family forgets Dharma, it is Dharma that must be upheld.
Throughout the Gita, Krishna repeats that no one has an automatic claim to spiritual success.
“By whatever path people come to Me, I accept them…” (Gita 4.11)
Krishna’s own clan had the greatest advantage. They lived, laughed, and ruled in his presence. Yet they wasted that blessing through pride and ignorance.
This reveals a hard truth: being near greatness means nothing if we do not live that truth inwardly. Heritage, social status, or birth do not ensure liberation.
Because the Gita teaches that the law of Karma is beyond personal preference. The Divine does not interfere with the results of human actions when they come from willful ignorance.
Krishna stepped back when the Yadavas mocked sages and gave in to drunken pride. They faced the consequences of their actions.
This is a deep lesson in humility. God respects our freedom, but does not shield us from what we choose.
The Gita explains that all forms, even the greatest dynasties, are temporary. Krishna’s own life shows that no bond, no empire, no power is eternal.
He shows that he is beyond these passing ties. So must we be. When we cling to people, positions, or family legacy, we forget the timeless Self within us that never dies.
Our true kinship with the Divine does not come from birth but from realizing the Self within. The Atman, pure consciousness, is our real family.
Krishna’s family fell apart because they clung to external identity but ignored the Self. When we forget our true nature, all our relationships become fragile.
In the last chapters of the Mahabharata, Krishna quietly walks away from his own people as they destroy each other. He does not force them to change. He accepts the end of what has outlived its Dharma.
So too must we learn. Sometimes, it is right to step away from ties, groups, or ideas that drag us into ignorance. Staying loyal to ignorance is not Dharma.
The Gita’s hidden teaching is not about abandoning people heartlessly. It is about having the courage to choose truth over comfort, vision over blind loyalty, and Dharma over attachment. Even if that means letting go of those closest to us.
Family survives where Dharma is alive. When Dharma dies, family crumbles.
May we never forget this.
॥ ॐ तत्सद् ॥
तेऽपि मामेव कौन्तेय यान्ति नास्त्यत्र संशयः ॥”
— Bhagavad Gita 9.23
(“Even those who worship other deities with faith, they too worship Me alone, O son of Kunti, but by the wrong method.”)
It is one of the most paradoxical truths hidden within Krishna’s life: that his own kinsmen, the mighty Yadavas who were born, raised, and protected under his divine care, ultimately turned against Dharma, walked away from him in spirit, and destroyed themselves.
The Bhagavad Gita, spoken by Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, has become a timeless guide to inner clarity and spiritual strength. Yet within its verses lies a subtle but powerful truth: no bond is permanent when it loses sight of Dharma, not even the bond of family with God himself.
This is the forgotten lesson: attachment without wisdom can lead to downfall, even if you share a roof with the Divine.
1. Krishna Never Demanded Loyalty. He Offered Vision
Lord Krishna
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
In Chapter 18, he says clearly:
“Thus I have explained to you this knowledge… deeply reflect on it, and then do as you wish.”
Krishna’s bond with his devotees is built on conscious choice, not forced loyalty. Unfortunately, the Yadavas grew arrogant in the shadow of his divinity. What started as loyalty turned into entitlement.
The Gita reminds us that spiritual vision must be stronger than family ties. Arjuna was taught how to see truth beyond his attachment. The Yadavas, blinded by their pride, never looked inward. That is why even their closeness to Krishna could not save them.
2. Attachment to Power Cancels Spiritual Protection
The Yadavas forgot that Krishna was their protector, not their personal source of power. They began to use their connection with him to conquer, dominate, and live in arrogance.
The lesson is clear. Divine presence protects only when the mind stays aligned with Dharma. When ego and pride replace humility and discipline, not even God stops the consequences.
3. Dharma Is Higher Than Any Bloodline
Krishna
( Image credit : Pexels )
Arjuna’s crisis came from the fear of harming his own relatives. Krishna reminds him,
“Your obligation is to your Dharma, not your relationships.”
This principle explains why Krishna did not stop the curse that fell on the Yadavas. He accepted it because it was Dharma’s way of cleansing the clan of arrogance.
Family is sacred, but when family forgets Dharma, it is Dharma that must be upheld.
4. Birth Is No Guarantee of Liberation
“By whatever path people come to Me, I accept them…” (Gita 4.11)
Krishna’s own clan had the greatest advantage. They lived, laughed, and ruled in his presence. Yet they wasted that blessing through pride and ignorance.
This reveals a hard truth: being near greatness means nothing if we do not live that truth inwardly. Heritage, social status, or birth do not ensure liberation.
5. Even God Respects Free Will and Karma
krishana
( Image credit : Freepik )
Because the Gita teaches that the law of Karma is beyond personal preference. The Divine does not interfere with the results of human actions when they come from willful ignorance.
Krishna stepped back when the Yadavas mocked sages and gave in to drunken pride. They faced the consequences of their actions.
This is a deep lesson in humility. God respects our freedom, but does not shield us from what we choose.
6. Everything in This World Is Impermanent
Krishna
( Image credit : Pixabay )
The Gita explains that all forms, even the greatest dynasties, are temporary. Krishna’s own life shows that no bond, no empire, no power is eternal.
He shows that he is beyond these passing ties. So must we be. When we cling to people, positions, or family legacy, we forget the timeless Self within us that never dies.
7. The Real Family Is the Atman
Krishna-Arjuna
Our true kinship with the Divine does not come from birth but from realizing the Self within. The Atman, pure consciousness, is our real family.
Krishna’s family fell apart because they clung to external identity but ignored the Self. When we forget our true nature, all our relationships become fragile.
Sometimes Walking Away Is Dharma
So too must we learn. Sometimes, it is right to step away from ties, groups, or ideas that drag us into ignorance. Staying loyal to ignorance is not Dharma.
The Gita’s hidden teaching is not about abandoning people heartlessly. It is about having the courage to choose truth over comfort, vision over blind loyalty, and Dharma over attachment. Even if that means letting go of those closest to us.
Family survives where Dharma is alive. When Dharma dies, family crumbles.
May we never forget this.
॥ ॐ तत्सद् ॥