Bhagavad-Gita: An Ancient Form of Psychotherapy

Abstract

Relevance of the Bhagavad-Gita to current psychological medicine is quite apparent that the Bhagavad-Gita is replete with concepts of relevance to psychotherapy. In the present-day psychiatric context, these concepts must be viewed with reservation. The message of the Bhagavad-Gita, appeals to the people, plunged in competition, frustration and meaninglessness. In Bhagavad-Gita, Krishna addresses depressed Arjuna who is not ready to perform his Karma (Duty), who was in deep grief estimating the outcomes. Krishna became First psychiatrist and addressed Arjuna’s mental health and helped him figure out what is best deal for him. Bhagavad Gita 6.5:

“उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत् । आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः ॥

“One should lift up oneself by oneself. One should not let oneself get depressed or defeated - because the self is the friend of oneself and the self is the enemy of oneself”

According to this shloka Krishna also taught us lesson of self-motivation, which is required in today’s stressful lifestyle. In day to day life, majority of people are facing different kinds of conflicts whether, inner or outer. The insecurities, fragile ego, false appreciation which of course makes your day but ruins you from inside; bewilderedness, hesitation to accept truth are some of inner conflicts which rear outer conflicts like work place politics, jealousies, prejudices and many more, which gives rise to disorders like anxiety. The principle of 'Nishkamakarma' is appropriate for anxiety states related to action with uncertain outcome, and helps the person to function effectively in this achievement-oriented world, where rewards may not be always certain.