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What the Gītā says about forgiveness

The Gītā does not use the word forgiveness the way a courtroom does. There is no trial, no verdict, no pardon handed down. What Krishna offers is a promise and a portrait. The promise: even the worst sinner, loving him, turns righteous — not after penance, not after enough time, but quickly. The portrait: the one dear to Krishna hates no creature, holds nothing as mine, and forgives. Between the two stands the most human moment in the poem — Arjuna, having seen the cosmic form, asking pardon for every careless joke, every meal where he treated God as merely a friend. The teaching is that no stain is permanent, and that the asking — honest, without defence — is already the crossing.

Verses

4.36
Even if you were the worst of all sinners, this boat of knowing would carry you across.
Even the worst of all sinners — this boat of knowing would carry you across
9.31
Even the worst sinner turns righteous quickly and finds lasting peace. Declare it boldly: no one who loves me is lost.
Declare it boldly: no one who loves me is lost — even the worst sinner turns righteous quickly
11.42
And every time I slighted you in jest — at play, at rest, at meals, alone or before others — forgive me.
Arjuna asks forgiveness for every jest, every careless meal — the most human verse in the Gītā
12.13
Hating no creature, friendly and kind to all; nothing called 'mine,' no self to parade; even in pain and pleasure; forgiving.
Hating no creature, kind to all, nothing called mine, forgiving — dear to Krishna
12.17
Neither exulting nor hating, neither grieving nor craving; releasing good and bad alike, full of love — dear to me.
Releasing good and bad alike, full of love — the devotee who has stopped keeping score