The Bhagavad Gita on relationships
The Gita is itself a conversation between two friends. Krishna's patience with Arjuna's doubts is a quiet teaching in how to stay with someone through a hard moment.
Across its chapters, the Gita describes the qualities of a loving heart and warns about how anger clouds judgement.
How the Gita approaches this
The Gita traces how anger arises and how it erodes clear thinking, describes kind and truthful speech as a discipline, and holds up friendliness, compassion and forgiveness as marks of a heart dear to the Divine.
Verses to reflect on
Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 6, Verse 32
आत्मौपम्येन सर्वत्र समं पश्यति योऽर्जुन।
सुखं वा यदि वा दुःखं स योगी परमो मतः॥
ātmaupamyena sarvatra samaṁ paśyati yo 'rjuna
sukhaṁ vā yadi vā duḥkhaṁ sa yogī paramo mataḥ
Translation
One who sees the joy and sorrow of all beings as their own, Arjuna, is considered the highest yogi.
हिन्दी भावार्थ
हे अर्जुन, जो व्यक्ति सबके सुख-दुख को अपने समान देखता है, वही सर्वश्रेष्ठ योगी माना जाता है।
In simple words Interpretation
Compassion means feeling another's joy and pain as if it were your own.
When this may help: When a relationship needs more understanding, or you're struggling to see someone else's side.
A question to sit with: What might the other person in your situation be feeling right now?
Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 12, Verse 13
अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च।
निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः समदुःखसुखः क्षमी॥
adveṣṭā sarva-bhūtānāṁ maitraḥ karuṇa eva ca
nirmamo nirahaṅkāraḥ sama-duḥkha-sukhaḥ kṣamī
Translation
One who bears no ill will toward any being, who is friendly and compassionate, free from possessiveness and ego, even-minded in pain and pleasure, and forgiving —
हिन्दी भावार्थ
जो किसी भी प्राणी से द्वेष नहीं करता, सबका मित्र और दयालु है, ममता और अहंकार से रहित है, सुख-दुख में समान है और क्षमाशील है —
In simple words Interpretation
Friendliness, compassion and forgiveness — these are the marks of a beautiful heart.
When this may help: When a relationship is strained by resentment, or you're struggling to forgive.
A question to sit with: Is there someone you're ready to forgive, even a little?
Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 17, Verse 15
अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत्।
स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव वाङ्मयं तप उच्यते॥
anudvega-karaṁ vākyaṁ satyaṁ priya-hitaṁ ca yat
svādhyāyābhyasanaṁ caiva vāṅ-mayaṁ tapa ucyate
Translation
Speech that causes no distress, that is truthful, pleasant and beneficial, along with regular study — this is called discipline of speech.
हिन्दी भावार्थ
जो वाणी किसी को उद्वेग न दे, जो सत्य, प्रिय और हितकारी हो, तथा स्वाध्याय का अभ्यास — इसे वाणी का तप कहा जाता है।
In simple words Interpretation
Before you speak, ask: is it true, is it kind, is it helpful?
When this may help: When a conversation feels tense, or you're unsure how to say something difficult.
A question to sit with: What is something true you need to say — and how could you say it kindly?
Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 2, Verse 63
क्रोधाद्भवति सम्मोहः सम्मोहात्स्मृतिविभ्रमः।
स्मृतिभ्रंशाद्बुद्धिनाशो बुद्धिनाशात्प्रणश्यति॥
krodhād bhavati sammohaḥ sammohāt smṛti-vibhramaḥ
smṛti-bhraṁśād buddhi-nāśo buddhi-nāśāt praṇaśyati
Translation
From anger comes delusion; from delusion, confusion of memory; from confusion of memory, loss of discernment; and with the loss of discernment, one is lost.
हिन्दी भावार्थ
क्रोध से मोह (भ्रम) पैदा होता है, मोह से स्मृति भ्रमित होती है, स्मृति के भ्रष्ट होने से बुद्धि का नाश होता है, और बुद्धि के नाश से मनुष्य पतन की ओर जाता है।
In simple words Interpretation
Anger clouds what we know. In its grip we forget who we are and what we value.
When this may help: When you're angry and about to say or do something you might regret.
A question to sit with: What does your anger want you to know — and what would you say once it softens?
Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 5, Verse 10
ब्रह्मण्याधाय कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा करोति यः।
लिप्यते न स पापेन पद्मपत्रमिवाम्भसा॥
brahmaṇy ādhāya karmāṇi saṅgaṁ tyaktvā karoti yaḥ
lipyate na sa pāpena padma-patram ivāmbhasā
Translation
One who acts by offering all actions to the Divine, giving up attachment, is untouched by wrongdoing — like a lotus leaf untouched by water.
हिन्दी भावार्थ
जो व्यक्ति सब कर्मों को ब्रह्म को अर्पित करके, आसक्ति त्यागकर करता है, वह पाप से वैसे ही अछूता रहता है जैसे कमल का पत्ता जल से।
In simple words Interpretation
You can live fully in the world without letting it soak into you — like a lotus leaf in water.
When this may help: When other people's moods, opinions or drama seem to cling to you.
A question to sit with: Whose mood or opinion have you been carrying as if it were your own?
A simple practice
Before one difficult message today, check it: is it true? is it kind? is it helpful?
Want a teaching for exactly what you're feeling?
Share it in your own words — English, Hindi or Hinglish — and receive a shlok with a gentle reflection. Free, private, no sign-up needed.
Begin a reflectionTranslations are adapted for readability. “In simple words” and the reflection questions are interpretations written for Gita Reflection, not scripture.