In the great dialogue of the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna seeks clarity not only about war, but about life itself. When he asks Krishna—Madhava—about love, the answer is profound and unsettling: love is giving someone the power to destroy you, and trusting that they will not use it.
This is not a poetic exaggeration. It is a warning, a responsibility, and a call for wisdom.
Love as Vulnerability, Not Blindness
To love is to open oneself completely—to be seen, known and emotionally exposed. In doing so, we hand over immense power. The Gita reminds us that love is not weakness, but conscious vulnerability.
However, vulnerability without awareness becomes blindness. Love does not mean surrendering judgment. It means choosing trust with clarity.
In everyday life, many confuse intensity with love, attachment with commitment, and attention with loyalty. The Gita teaches otherwise. Love is not how deeply you feel—it is how responsibly you choose.
Trust Must Be Earned, Not Assumed
Opening one’s life to another cannot be a bargain struck on words alone. Trust must be built through consistency, actions and character. Someone who truly loves will protect your fragility, not exploit it.
Many relationships collapse because people hand over emotional power too quickly, mistaking affection for integrity. When love is driven by selfish comfort, convenience or control, it slowly becomes a trap.
Once deception enters love, returning to emotional safety becomes difficult. The scars are not always visible, but they linger.
Wisdom in Protecting the Self
The Gita never advocates fear—but it does advocate wisdom. Loving wisely means recognising patterns, understanding intentions, and being alert to manipulation.
People driven by selfishness may use love as a tool—leading others through emotional promises while serving their own needs. The wise do not become cynical, but they remain aware.
Protecting oneself is not a lack of love; it is respect for life itself.
Forgiveness Does Not Mean Repetition
One of the most misunderstood teachings of the Gita is forgiveness. Forgiveness is meant to free the soul from bitterness—not to invite repeated harm.
If someone has betrayed your trust, forgiveness may be necessary for inner peace. But falling into the same trap again is not compassion—it is foolishness. The Gita is clear: wisdom lies in learning, not in repeating suffering.
Strength is knowing when to step back, not when to endure endlessly.
Love in Its Highest Form
True love is steady, not chaotic. It strengthens, not weakens. It allows growth, not fear. Love that demands the loss of dignity, safety or peace is not love—it is attachment.
The Gita teaches us that love aligned with dharma is protective, balanced and liberating. It is rooted in respect, loyalty and mutual responsibility.
Living the Gita in Everyday Relationships
Every verse of the Gita is a manual for living stronger and safer. The more deeply we absorb its wisdom, the clearer our choices become.
Love is sacred—but life is priceless. Give your heart, yes—but only to those who know how to hold it with care.
That is the love the Gita speaks of.
That is the love that endures.
