psychology of Bhagavad Gita and its importance in our life

It is said that counseling and psychotherapy was developed in the western countries and imported in India from the western literatures. But before five thousand year ago, Lord Krishna had narrated Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna, which is the perfect example of its basic form. It is relevant in modern world as well.

We are starting a series of Psychology of the Bhagavad Gita. This is the first article of our series; case study of Arjuna, a great warrior in modern way.

Arjuna is a great warrior and was the 3rd of the pandava brothers. As the Mahabharata battle comes close, he is obsessed with self-doubt about the righteousness of the battle against his own relatives, his friends and family such as his teacher, Drona and grandfather Bhishma. It was then that lord Krishna took charge and did his counseling and explained him the inevitability and necessity of the Mahabharata battle to Arjuna. This conversation is a key part of the Mahabharata which is known as Bhagavad gita, and is considered as a holy scripture of Hinduism

Arjuna plays the role of the client in the Bhagavad Gita and his charioteer lord Krishna played the role of counselor. The gita is a narrative framework of a philosophical dialogue between  arjuna and his charioteer Lord Krishna. And is the part of great epic Mahabharata.

Case study of Arjuna, a great warrior in modern way

General appearance and behavior

Arjuna is a warrior. At the time of Mahabharata (war), he was anxious, nervous, and sad and in state on inaction after seeing his uncle, gurus (teacher), nephews, friends, relatives etc in the opposite (enemy) camp. On appearance, there were signs of fear, sorrow and guilt. He appeared depressed.

Speech 

Arjuna articulated himself clearly. He asked questions spontaneously, although at slow rate and speed. He spoke softly throughout the conversation.

Affect and mood

Arjuna’s affect was depressed. He also appeared anxious and nervous.

Thought 

Arjuna thought stream was decreased.  He though that- to win the war means killing all these people whom he loved and respected. He loses his will to fight, saying even if they wish to kill him; he does not wish to kill them.  He is in the state of guilt and sadness. He drops his Gandiva (weapons) and turns to his charioteer, Lord Krishna, for help and guidance. He was obsessed with knowing the aftermath of war and was constantly asking the Krishna for war result. These thoughts were causing arjun to lack of motivation and confused. Death wish was detected.

Perception

Arjuna exhibits confusion and paralyzed to make decisions. Symptoms, such as misinterpretations, illusion, passivity phenomena, were elicited.

Cognition

Arjuna was alert and orientated to time and place. He was able to ask questions and recall his past without difficulties.

Insight and judgment

When lord Krishna questioned about his condition, Arjuna accepted the fact that he confused, sad, anxious and discouraged. Lord Krishna helped a grief-stricken Arjun through dialogue of gita. He has cooperated with lord Krishna.

Summary and diagnosis

Arjun is a great warrior who had been diagnosed with a depression with predominant guilt. . The diagnosis explains his symptoms of persistent guilt, sorrow, anxiety, nervousness, confusion, negative thoughts and death wish. Hence, it is likely that he is in the state of acute depression with symptoms of anxiety. Taking the situation into consideration his condition is most likely to be a condition of maladjustments or faulty coping pattern.

Arjuna has become depressed and did not want to participate in mahabharta.,he is very anxious about the possibility of the destruction that comes to family and society in the aftermath of war. He becomes discourage, anxious, confused and lays down his weapons saying he will not fight.

What is the importance and relevance of this case study in our present life?

In the modern society battle field is the symbol of challenges of our life. We all all have mountains of desires, dreams, duties and ambitions, obligations to family, society and self. Each of us has our own society, family and culture in which we embedded and through which our self, behavior, personality and behavior are conditioned. Our life is the perfect example of a battle between good and evil.  Many types of question are come to our mind such as; who we are?, what is the purpose and meaning of our life?, what  happen to us when we die? It is the existential question that is not directly come on the surface but run like a river beneath our busy life.

Many time we come across a situation where we are afraid to do the right thing because of social pressure and conformity. We face conflict with a choice regarding what we want to do over what we should do. Bhagavad Gita is a story that tells us about the importance of doing the right thing, of conquering our own darkness, regardless of the cost or struggle.
Many times in our life we confront with mountains of problems. We get confused and unable to make decisions. In that time we want someone to help us what to do because in that situation the problems we face seems beyond to our capacity to solve.  According to mahatma Gandhi– “When doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare me in the face, and I see not one ray of hope on the horizon, I turn to Bhagavad-Gita and find a verse to comfort me; and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming sorrow. Those who meditate on the Gita will derive fresh joy and new meanings from it every day.”

The present world is filled with Arjunas and psychologist is now developing Bhagavad Gita as a great clinical tool to cope up with life challenges psychological problems.

This is the first article of our series-psychology of bhagwat gita. If you like this article please share. And if you have any query, opinion or question you can ask by commenting in blog. We are waiting for your views and comments.

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