Gentle, truthful, kind

ahiṃsā satyamakrodhastyāgaḥ śāntirapaiśunamdayā bhūteṣvaloluptvaṃ mārdavaṃ hrīracāpalam

Non-harming, truth, freedom from anger, letting go, peace, no backbiting, compassion for beings, no greed, gentleness, modesty, steadiness...

What it means

The list goes on. Ahimsa, not harming. Truthfulness. Freedom from anger. Peace. Not gossiping. Daya, compassion for all beings. Freedom from greed. Gentleness. Modesty. Steadiness, not fidgety or restless. None of it is weak. Each takes real strength to live out.

The story

Arjuna is surrounded by warriors who mistake harshness for strength. Krishna paints a different picture of power, steady, honest and kind.

In your life

Think of a nurse who stays gentle at the end of a twelve-hour shift. That's strength. Resist one bit of gossip today, and say something kind instead.