What the Bhagavad Gita Says About Dealing With Toxic People
Akanksha Tiwari | Mon, 02 Jun 2025
Have you ever spent time with someone who seems friendly but makes you feel insecure and emotionally drained? If so, you may have met someone who has toxic personality traits. It can be hard to handle these relationships without losing your peace. It turns out that the Bhagavad Gita had answered this question 5,000 years ago. In this article we will look at the powerful life teachings that Lord Krishna gave, including how to deal with difficult people while maintaining inner balance.
( Image credit : Freepik )
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We all have someone in our lives who drains our energy or constantly spread negativity. Whether it's a colleague, a relative, or even a friend. who gossips behind your back, who criticize everything you do Or the one that always brings drama. But how do we deal with such people without losing our peace? Turns out, the Bhagavad Gita offered the answer over 5,000 years ago.
The Bhagavad Gita addressed these very emotional and psychological dilemmas? Through his guidance to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Lord Krishna offered powerful life lessons, including how to deal with difficult people while maintaining your inner balance.
In today's context, toxic people are often those who display manipulative behavior, constant negativity, jealousy, or actions driven by ego. Interestingly, the word "toxic" is not used in the Gita. But it explains these traits through the concept of three Gunas: Sattva (harmony, purity, wisdom), Rajas (desire, attachment, restlessness) and Tamas(ignorance, laziness, ego, delusion)
People dominated by Tamasic guna often act out of darkness, confusion, and ego — which aligns closely with modern definitions of toxic behavior.
From attachment arises desire; from desire, anger is born. From anger comes delusion; from delusion, the loss of memory; from loss of memory, the destruction of intellect; and from the destruction of intellect, one perishes.
Bhagavad Gita 2.62-63
This chain of emotions shows how toxic patterns arise and how they affect both the toxic person and those around them.
Arjuna’s dilemma was not unlike ours. He was asked to fight his own relatives, teachers, and friends. Confused and emotionally overwhelmed, he refused to act. But Krishna didn’t tell him to suppress his emotions. He taught him to act with detachment, clarity, and spiritual understanding.
Even in toxic relationships, Krishna’s advice is clear: Don't act out of blind attachment or rage. Make decisions based on dharma (duty) and inner truth, not emotional reaction.
You have a right to perform your duty, but not to the fruits of your actions.
Bhagavad Gita 2.47Reacting in anger only fuels the fire. Krishna emphasizes mastering the mind.
Let a man lift himself by his own self alone and not degrade himself.
Bhagavad Gita 6.5
Pause, reflect, and respond with wisdom, not impulse.Toxic people thrive on pulling you into emotional conflict. Krishna reminds Arjuna to focus on his karma, not how others behave.
Perform your obligatory duty, because action is indeed better than inaction.
Bhagavad Gita 3.8
Do your part with sincerity without getting entangled in their negativity.Sometimes the wisest response is no response. Krishna encourages calm composure over reaction.
He who is without hatred, is friendly and compassionate, free from ego, patient… such a devotee is dear to Me.
Bhagavad Gita 12.13-14
Not every insult or argument needs your energy. Choose peace over proving a point.Being spiritual doesn’t mean tolerating disrespect. Krishna teaches balance , humility doesn’t mean weakness.
Set boundaries. You can be polite and still protect your energy.If someone consistently harms your mental peace, walking away isn’t wrong , it’s self-preservation. Krishna tells Arjuna to fight for righteousness, even against his own kin.
Better to perform one’s own duties imperfectly than to master the duties of another.
Bhagavad Gita 3.35
Stay true to your path : even if it means leaving toxic company behind.
Detachment Isn’t Coldness : It’s Wisdom Many confuse detachment with indifference. But in the Gita, detachment means emotional clarity, loving without clinging, helping without burning out, and letting go without guilt.
One who is not disturbed by happiness and distress and is steady in both is certainly eligible for liberation.
Bhagavad Gita 2.15
This is how Krishna defines true strength, peace that isn't shaken by others.
Unlock insightful tips and inspiration on personal growth, productivity, and well-being. Stay motivated and updated with the latest at My Life XP.
Bhagavad Gita Says About Dealing With Toxic People.
( Image credit : Freepik )
The Bhagavad Gita addressed these very emotional and psychological dilemmas? Through his guidance to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Lord Krishna offered powerful life lessons, including how to deal with difficult people while maintaining your inner balance.
Toxicity from Gita's perspective:
People dominated by Tamasic guna often act out of darkness, confusion, and ego — which aligns closely with modern definitions of toxic behavior.
Bhagavad Gita Says About Dealing With Toxic People.
( Image credit : Freepik )
From attachment arises desire; from desire, anger is born. From anger comes delusion; from delusion, the loss of memory; from loss of memory, the destruction of intellect; and from the destruction of intellect, one perishes.
Bhagavad Gita 2.62-63
This chain of emotions shows how toxic patterns arise and how they affect both the toxic person and those around them.
How Krishna Taught Arjuna to Deal with Conflict:
Even in toxic relationships, Krishna’s advice is clear: Don't act out of blind attachment or rage. Make decisions based on dharma (duty) and inner truth, not emotional reaction.
You have a right to perform your duty, but not to the fruits of your actions.
Bhagavad Gita 2.47
5 Lessons from the Gita to Handle Toxic People
1. Don’t React, Respond Consciously
Let a man lift himself by his own self alone and not degrade himself.
Bhagavad Gita 6.5
Pause, reflect, and respond with wisdom, not impulse.
2. Focus on Your Duty, Not Others’ Drama
Perform your obligatory duty, because action is indeed better than inaction.
Bhagavad Gita 3.8
Do your part with sincerity without getting entangled in their negativity.
3. Silence Is Strength
He who is without hatred, is friendly and compassionate, free from ego, patient… such a devotee is dear to Me.
Bhagavad Gita 12.13-14
Bhagavad Gita Says About Dealing With Toxic People
( Image credit : Freepik )
Not every insult or argument needs your energy. Choose peace over proving a point.
4. Let Go of Ego, Hold On to Self-Respect
Set boundaries. You can be polite and still protect your energy.
5. Sometimes, Walking Away Is Dharma
Better to perform one’s own duties imperfectly than to master the duties of another.
Bhagavad Gita 3.35
Stay true to your path : even if it means leaving toxic company behind.
Bhagavad Gita Says About Dealing With Toxic People.
( Image credit : Freepik )
Detachment Isn’t Coldness : It’s Wisdom Many confuse detachment with indifference. But in the Gita, detachment means emotional clarity, loving without clinging, helping without burning out, and letting go without guilt.
One who is not disturbed by happiness and distress and is steady in both is certainly eligible for liberation.
Bhagavad Gita 2.15
This is how Krishna defines true strength, peace that isn't shaken by others.
Unlock insightful tips and inspiration on personal growth, productivity, and well-being. Stay motivated and updated with the latest at My Life XP.
