Bhagavad Gita on guilt and past mistakes
The Gita is unusually direct about the past. Krishna says that even the worst wrongdoer can cross over on the raft of knowledge, and that one who turns around with a sincere heart should be counted among the good. Guilt is meant to turn you, not to hold you.
Skip to the verse for your situation ↓5 verses from the Gita
- Bhagavad Gita 4.36 · Krishna
Even the worst of wrongdoers crosses over on the raft of knowledge.
अपि चेदसि पापेभ्यः सर्वेभ्यः पापकृत्तमः । सर्वं ज्ञानप्लवेनैव वृजिनं सन्तरिष्यसि ॥
“Even if you are the worst of wrongdoers, you will cross all wrongdoing by the raft of knowledge alone.”
अगर तू सब पापियोंसे भी अधिक पापी है, तो भी तू ज्ञानरूपी नौकाके द्वारा निःसन्देह सम्पूर्ण पापसमुद्रसे अच्छी तरह तर जायगा ॥
There is relief in knowing your worst history does not have the final word.
Meaning and commentary → - Bhagavad Gita 4.37 · Krishna
As fire turns wood to ash, knowledge burns up past action.
यथैधांसि समिद्धोऽग्निर्भस्मसात्कुरुतेऽर्जुन । ज्ञानाग्निः सर्वकर्माणि भस्मसात्कुरुते तथा ॥
“As a blazing fire reduces fuel to ashes, so the fire of knowledge reduces all actions to ashes, Arjuna.”
हे अर्जुन जैसे प्रज्वलित अग्नि ईंधनोंको सर्वथा भस्म कर देती है, ऐसे ही ज्ञानरूपी अग्नि सम्पूर्ण कर्मोंको सर्वथा भस्म कर देती है ॥
There is relief in seeing that insight can end what effort alone cannot.
Meaning and commentary → - Bhagavad Gita 9.30 · Krishna
Whoever turns sincerely, whatever they did before, is to be counted good.
अपि चेत्सुदुराचारो भजते मामनन्यभाक् । साधुरेव स मन्तव्यः सम्यग्व्यवसितो हि सः ॥
“Even if a person of very bad conduct worships Me with undivided devotion, that person must be regarded as righteous, for the resolve is rightly made.”
अगर कोई दुराचारीसेदुराचारी भी अनन्यभावसे मेरा भजन करता है, तो उसको साधु ही मानना चाहिये । कारण कि उसने निश्चय बहुत अच्छी तरह कर लिया है ॥
You are not frozen by your worst chapter; wholehearted turning can redefine you.
Meaning and commentary → - Bhagavad Gita 9.31 · Krishna
They soon become righteous and find lasting peace.
क्षिप्रं भवति धर्मात्मा शश्वच्छान्तिं निगच्छति । कौन्तेय प्रतिजानीहि न मे भक्तः प्रणश्यति ॥
“One who is devoted to Me quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace. O son of Kunti, declare it boldly: My devotee never perishes.”
वह तत्काल उसी क्षण धर्मात्मा हो जाता है और निरन्तर रहनेवाली शान्तिको प्राप्त हो जाता है । हे कुन्तीनन्दन तुम प्रतिज्ञा करो कि मेरे भक्तका विनाश पतन नहीं होता ॥
Devotion is not fragile. It steadies you and gives the courage to trust the path.
Meaning and commentary → - Bhagavad Gita 6.5 · Krishna
Lift yourself. Do not let yourself sink.
उद्धरेदात्मनाऽऽत्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत् । आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः ॥
“Lift yourself by yourself; do not let yourself fall. The true self is its own friend, and the true self is its own enemy.”
अपने द्वारा अपना उद्धार करे, अपना पतन न करे क्योंकि आप ही अपना मित्र है और आप ही अपना शत्रु है ॥
You are not helpless in your own life; the way you handle yourself changes everything.
Meaning and commentary →