Friendship is one of the most cherished bonds in our lives, bringing joy, support, and a sense of belonging. But when we look through the lens of ancient yogic wisdom, friendship—or maitri (Sanskrit) or metta (Pali)—is not just a social or emotional connection. It is a spiritual discipline. In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita, friendship is seen as a path to inner harmony and universal compassion, reminding us that maitri  is a powerful tool for self-transformation. The word maitri has a root ‘mita’ which means that is what is close to the heart. Interestingly, mitra (friend) is a...