the arrogance behind his words,
the venom wrapped in smiles,
the heart that mocked even love itself.
Yet Krishna forgave.
Once, twice,
a hundred times He forgave —
each forgiveness a silent hope
that perhaps the soul might turn
toward light.
For the Lord does not punish haste,
He waits —
till the mirror of conscience
has been shown enough times
to the blinded heart.
But when the hundredth insult
pierced the fabric of dharma,
the discus flew —
not in anger,
but in completion.
It was not wrath,
it was balance restoring itself.
Even compassion has a boundary
where justice begins to breathe.
So learn from the God —
Forgive, but not forever.
Guide, but not endlessly.
Be patient like the river,
but remember —
even rivers carve stone
when kindness is mistaken for weakness.
Forgive till your soul feels peace,
but when your peace begins to die —
let truth speak,
let dharma rise.
That episode between Krishna and Shishupala in the Mahabharata is one of the most profound illustrations of divine patience, karmic inevitability, and the balance between compassion and justice.
Lord Krishna’s forgiveness of Shishupala a hundred times is not a sign of weakness — it is the highest form of strength. It shows that divine patience endures as long as the heart carries even a spark of possibility for transformation. Krishna knew Shishupala’s nature, yet He chose to guide him, to give him every opportunity to rise above hatred and ego.
But when Shishupala crossed the final line, Krishna did not delay justice — for even compassion must yield when dharma demands restoration.
This moment teaches us that — Forgiveness is divine, but tolerance of persistent wrong is not mercy — it is delay of justice. True compassion includes accountability. Krishna’s patience was immense, yet never blind. Every soul is given chances to evolve, but when the lesson is refused again and again, destiny itself becomes the teacher.
“Forgive generously, guide patiently, but never lose sight of dharma. Compassion without wisdom is indulgence, and justice without compassion is cruelty. The balance of both is the way of Dharma."