Acharya Prashant explains that the word 'forgiveness' is one whose real meaning is seldom understood. He states that forgiveness (Kshama), along with righteousness (Aarjav) and tolerance (Sahishnuta), are components of spiritual practice (Sadhana). The purpose of any aspect of Sadhana is to enable the ego to fall. However, the way forgiveness is commonly understood does not diminish the ego but rather enhances it. The conventional idea of forgiveness involves forgetting or pardoning another's offense, which first requires acknowledging that an offense was committed. In the act of forgiving, one feels superior, a notion often reinforced by the saying that there is greatness in forgiveness. This feeling of greatness is an experience of the ego. The speaker critiques the common practice of forgiveness, where one says, "Go, I forgive you," thereby placing oneself on a higher pedestal and viewing the other as insignificant. He calls this type of forgiveness poisonous and fatal. He refers to a well-known poem which states, "Forgiveness befits the serpent who possesses venom, not the one who is poison-less, toothless, meek, and simple." He argues that this teaches a poisonous idea: to first become venomous and powerful, and only then to forgive. This, he asserts, is a dangerous concept taught even in schools. Acharya Prashant then reveals the true meaning of forgiveness. It is not about pardoning an offense but understanding that no offense was ever truly committed. Every mistake, he explains, arises from a state of unconsciousness, or being 'asleep'. An awakened person does not make mistakes, and a person who is 'asleep' cannot be held responsible for their actions, just as one is not held accountable for actions in a dream. Therefore, there is no real crime to forgive. True forgiveness is the realization that you were not hurt at all because the other person was unconscious. This understanding is real compassion (Karuna), which seeks to help the unconscious person awaken, rather than to punish or pardon them. The highest form of forgiveness is to see that there is nothing to forgive.