Pattabhiram and Deekshitulu, IJNR, 2017; 1:5

Review Article IJNR (2017) 1:5

International Journal of Neuroscience Research

(ISSN:2572-8385)

Mental health in Bhagavad Gita

B V Pattabhiram* and Balaji Deekshitulu P V**

*Director Prasanthi Guidance & Counselling Centre, Hyderabad

**Psychologist & Alternative Medicine (Homeopathy) Practitioner, Sri Balaji Clinic, Tirupati, A.P,
India

ABSTRACT

In this review article the .Bhagavad-Gita is a sermon given by *Correspondence to Author:

Lord Sri Krishna to Arjuna in the battlefield. The three principles Dr Balaji Deekshitulu P V**, Psy-
which have been emphasized by the Bhagavad-Gita are the chologist & Alternative Medicine
management of mind, management of duty and the principles (Homeopathy) Practitioner, Sri
of self-management. The principles propounded therein, seem Balaji Clinic, Tirupati, A.P, India.
to have universal application and useful for all human beings cell:8885391722,7207255557
to mould their character and strengthen themselves to develop
their managerial effectiveness. Bhagavad gita are increasing in
mind management and reducing mental and physical illnesses
is an important stimulus of human growth and creativity as How to cite this article:
well an inevitable part of life. This paper aims at exploring the Pattabhiram and Deekshitulu. Men-
divine principles in Bhagvad Gita for its application to mind tal health in Bhagavad Gita. Inter-
management & development of human capital. national Journal of Neuroscience
Research, 2017; 1:5.

Keywords:
Gita, Management therapy, mind

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 Pattabhiram and Deekshitulu, IJNR, 2017; 1:5

Introduction helpful because if we can understand that real

happiness comes not from material things, but
Arjuna got mentally depressed when he saw his rather from a loving relationship with Krishna,
relatives with whom he has to fight. The Bhaga- then we can become detached from all the push-
vad Gîta is preached in the battle field Kuruk- ings of material desires and we can control the
shetra by Lord Krishna to Arjuna as a counsel- mind.
ling to do his duty. It has got all the management
tactics to achieve the mental equilibrium..  Therefore, “constant practice and detachment.”
Ultimately, we must develop a higher taste. Lord
Management has become a part and parcel in Krishna says, “The embodied soul may be re-
everyday life, be it at home, office, factory, Gov- stricted from sense enjoyment, though the taste
ernment, or in any other organization where a for sense objects remains. But, ceasing such
group of human beings assemble for a common engagements by experiencing a higher taste,
purpose, management principles come into play he is fixed in consciousness.” (— Bhagavad-gita
through their various facets like management of 2:59).
time, resources, personnel, materials, machin-
ery, finance, planning, priorities, policies and Anxiety
practice. Management is a systematic way of do- • Seedanthi mama gatrani mukham
ing all activities It resolves situations of scarcities cha parisushyathi vepathus cha sarire me
be they in the physical, technical or human fields roma-harshas cha jayate(Weakness of limbs,
through maximum utilization with the minimum Dryness of mouth, Shivering of the body, Goose
available processes to achieve the goal. The skin)1……..29
lack of management will cause mental disorder,
confusion, wastage, delay, destruction, anxiety • Gandivam sramsate hastat tvakchaiva
and even depression. paridahyate na cha saknomy avasthatum
bhramati va cha me manah(Gandivam slips from
It is certainly worthwhile knowing how to control the hand, “Burning” of skin, Unable to stand,
the mind. Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad-gi- “Dizziness”/Confusion of Mind) I………30
ta that the mind can be controlled by constant
“practice and detachment.”(—Bhagavad-gita, Depression
6.35). He says that wherever and whenever the
mind wanders, due to its flickering and unsteady • Negative thoughts:Na kankhse vijayam
nature, we must bring it back under the control of Krishna na cha rajyam sukhani cha Kim no
the Self (—Bhagavad-gita, 6.26). rajyena Govinda kim bhogairjivitena va.(Do not
desire victory, Neither kingdom nor pleasures
The mind is like a child; a child is attracted to why kingdom, why luxuries, why this war, wh…..)
everything. It wants everything but not all things I…….32
are good for it. Some things are even harmful...
so the parent must discipline...Sometimes the • Guilt:Ahobatha MahatPAPAM karthum
child becomes angry and cries but the parent is vyavasatha vayum Yadrajya sukhaobhena
determined to give the best thing even if at first it Hanthum Swajana mudyatham(Preparing
seems uncomfortable to the child. for the SINful act of killing our own kin…)    
I……..44
In a similar way the intelligence and the spiritu-
al being that we are must control the mind. The • Death wish:Yadi Ma Mapratheekaram
mind is attracted to so many material things and asastram Sastrapanayah Dhartarashtra rane
everywhere we look, someone is telling us that if hanusthanme KSHEMAtharam bhaveth (Even
just have one material thing or another then we if I get killed in the war by my enemy it will be
will be happy...but it always proves to be false. good) I……45

No matter how much we get, still we’re dissat- 10 mental health tips from The Bhagavad Gita
isfied. So the mind must be disciplined and by
• Be Your self -find out your temperament
practice we must learn to pull it away from those
and act in line with it.(Swadhrama- CH.3)
things that are not good for it. Detachment is
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 Pattabhiram and Deekshitulu, IJNR, 2017; 1:5

• Perform duties without attachments and as that state of mind which can maintain a calm,
insistence on particular results. Accept the positive poise or regain it when unsettled in the
results gracefully,greatfully(Karmanyevadhikars midst of all the external vagaries of work life and
te-CH.2) social existence. Internal constancy and peace
are the pre- requisites for a healthy stress-free
• Spend some time in doing mind.
Pranayama(apnejuhvatipranam- CH.4)
Some of the impediments to sound mental health
• Fallow the moderation-yoga,moderation- are
food,sleep,speech,exercise,recreation and
meditation eliminate stress.(Yuktaaharaviharsya- Greed - for power, position, prestige and money.
CH.6)
Envy - regarding others’ achievements, success,
• Like a tortoise cultivate perfect sense rewards.
mastery, when required the senses are
fully employed to act and archive. when Egotism - about one’s own accomplishments.
necessaryone should be able to with draw sense.  Suspicion, anger and frustration.
(Yedaasamharatechaayam-CH.2)
 Anguish through comparisons.
• There is nothing which is more purifying
the knowledge, clarity in thinking about the roles  Gîta tells us how to get out of this universal phe-
and the reality is essential. Understand that the nomenon by prescribing the following capsules.
roles we are playing are temporary & relative.
The Reality in me is the Truth, is absolute. (Na hi • Cultivate sound philosophy of life.
gnanena sadrisham pavitramiha vidyate - Ch.4)
•  Identify with inner core of self-
• Develop Purity in feeling. Overcome the sufficiency
impulsiveness of negative emotions like anger,
•  Get out of the habitual mindset towards
lust,
the pairs of opposites.
• etc. (shaknotihaiva yah sodhum - Ch.16)
 Strive for excellence through work is
Faith in the Higher Reality is a great source •
worship.
of strength. A man is what his faith is. As
the faith so will be our desires, thoughts and •  Build up an internal integrated
action. (Shraddhamayoyam purushah. Yo yat reference point to face contrary impulses,
shraddhah sa eva saha…Ch.17) and emotions
• Few minutes of Prayers & Meditation • Pursue ethico-moral rectitude.
daily, go a long way in building up reserves of
Peace and happiness within. (Swalpam apyasya  Bhagawan’s advice is relevant here :
dharmasy trayate mahato bhayat - Ch.2)
  “tasmaat sarveshu kaaleshu mamanusmarah
• Harmonise the head, the heart and yuddha cha” Therefore under all circumstances
the hands to be happy. Be an integrated remember Me and then fight’ (Fight means per-
personality. Disintegration causes stress. form your duties)
Integration gives tremendous satisfaction(Nasti
buddhirayuktasya…Ch.2) Management Needs those Who Practise what
they Preach Whatever the excellent and best
Mental Health for management ones do, the commoners follow, so says S’rî
Krishna in the Gîta. This is the leadership quality
 The ideas mentioned above have a close bear- prescribed in the Gîta. The visionary leader must
ing on the end-state of a manager which is his also be a missionary, extremely practical, inten-
mental health. Sound mental health is the very sively dynamic and capable of translating dreams
goal of any human activity more so manage- into reality. This dynamism and strength of a true
ment. An expert describes sound mental health leader flows from an inspired and spontaneous

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 Pattabhiram and Deekshitulu, IJNR, 2017; 1:5

motivation to help others. “I am the strength of So in the Bhagwat Gita, “Lord Sri Krishna” first of
those who are devoid of personal desire and at- all asks one to do his DUTY. If a person does his/
tachment. O Arjuna, I am the legitimate desire her duty then half of the problems of that person
in those, who are not opposed to righteousness” are solved. Not doing one’s duty is very harmful
says S’rî Krishna in the 7 th Chapter of the Gîta. as it produces negative results only in one’s life,
like frustration, depression, de-motivation etc. If
Management methods for mind therapy one does at least his/her duty, then such nega-
tive factors affect that person to a lesser degree
Now Bhagwat Gita teaches about “Mind Con-
or do not affect at all. As per “Lord Sri Krishna”,
trol”. Mind is that makes the personality of a
doing one’s prescribed duties, even though fault-
person. De-motivated mind makes a person de-
ily is better to have a better Mental Health.
pressed one & a motivated one makes a person
cheerful. If one’s mind is in one’s control & he/ “sreyan sva-dharmo vigunah para-dharmat
she can concentrate deeply on one’s work, then sv-anusthitat
that person can do wonders at work. Mind is very
powerful one & to control it, to keep it in one’s sva-dharme nidhanam sreyah para-dharmo
control is very difficult. It just wanders like wind bhayavahah” (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Three
here & there & it takes enough of self discipline verse 35)
& practice of meditation to control it, to get it con-
centrated on any job or activity. As per “Arjuna” “Lord Sri Krishna said: It is far better to discharge
to “Lord Sri Krishna” in Chapter Six verse 34: one’s prescribed duties, even though faultily,
than another’s duties perfectly. Destruction in
“chanchalam hi manah Krishna pramathi bala- the course of performing one’s own duty is better
vad drdham than engaging in another’s duties, for to follow
another’s path is dangerous.”
tasyaham nigraham manye vayor iva su-dus-
karam” (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Six verse 34) Another teaching of “Bhagwat Gita” is to do
one’s work for the sake of work only without car-
“Arjuna said: For the mind is restless, turbulent, ing for the fruit arising out of that work. That sim-
obstinate and very strong, O Krishna, and to ply means to get deeply involved in one’s work
subdue it, to control it, I think, is more difficult or to just think single mindedly about performing
than controlling the wind.” the best in one’s job without thinking about the
“sri-bhagavan uvacha asamsayam ma- results arising out of those actions performed
while doing one’s work or duty. Just concentrate
ha-baho
on your work, that’s it. Below verse of “Bhagwat
mano durnigraham chalam abhyasena tu Gita” explains this.
kaunteya vairagyena cha grhyate” (Bhagwat
“karmany evadhikaras te mahalesu kadacha-
Gita: Chapter Six verse 35)
na
“Lord Sri Krishna said: O mighty-armed Arjuna, it
is undoubtedly that mind is very difficult to curb & ma karma-phala-hetur bhur ma te sango ’stv
is restless, but it is possible by suitable practices akarmani” (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse
47)
of meditation and by detachment.”

“asamyatatmana yogo dusprapa iti me matih “Lord Sri Krishna said: You have a right to per-
form your prescribed duty, but you are not enti-
vasyatmana tu yatata sakyo ’vaptum upaya- tled to the fruits of action. Never consider your-
tah” (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Six verse 36) self the cause of the results of your activities,
and never be attached to not doing your duty.”
“Lord Sri Krishna said: For one whose mind is
unbridled, uncontrolled, self-realization is a dif- Another below verse of “Bhagwat Gita” explains
ficult work. But he whose mind is controlled and that one should do one’s duty equi-poised or to
who strives by appropriate means is assured of have the equanimity of mind, without caring &
success. That is my opinion.” renouncing all attachment to success or failure.
If one does one’s duty efficiently & with single
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 Pattabhiram and Deekshitulu, IJNR, 2017; 1:5

minded devotion, without any fear of success or mentally healthy person is discussed and finally
failure in his/her Endeavour, then certainly that the relevance of the Bhagavadgita’s teaching to
person shall succeed in his/her work, as he/she current psychological medicine is explained.
is doing that work without any fear of success or
failure. His/her mind shall be at peace & easeBhattathiri(2011)asked that the Developing
while doing such work without any fear of suc-mindfulness of the connections between mind
cess or failure. Any person whose mind is at and body is a form of intelligence just as import-
peace, certainly works effectively. ant as IQ, EQ (emotional intelligence), or social
intelligence. As awareness deepens, bodily sen-
“yoga-sthah kuru karmani sangam tyaktva sations provide feedback and guidance about
dhananjaya every aspect of your life—from nurturing rela-
tionships to enhancing effectiveness at work. By
siddhy-asiddhyoh samo bhutva samatvam acting on this information you can reduce stress,
yoga ucyate” (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse balance your life, and maximize your innate po-
48) tential for health, creativity, and spiritual growth.
“Lord Sri Krishna said: Perform your duty equi- M. S. Reddy(2012)studied that the psychothera-
poised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment peutic approach practiced in Bhagavad Gita also
to success or failure. Such equanimity is called will have its place in the repertoire of psychother-
yoga.” apeutic models and remains a useful tool in the
So if a person is dedicated to his work & works hands of an experienced therapist when applied
for the sake of work only without any fear of suc- judiciously for some patients with specific prob-
cess or failure, then that person is going to be lems of distress.
certainly successful in his/her carrier. By doing Subhash C. Bhatia et al.(2013)suggested that
meditation & other yoga techniques, one can the gita recommend psychiatrist and mental
control one’s mind & a disciplined mind can be health practitioners to use spirituality as a part of
made to concentrate on one’s job better, produc- their therapeutic armamentarium.
ing better results. So by following the teachings
of “Bhagwat Gita” one is certainly going to excel Neha Sharma(2014)studied that the Gita instruct
in his/her job & in life. that complete devotion towards the therapist and
actions according to his words leads Depres-
Biswajit Satpath (2008)studied that the chal- sion, Anxiety, stress to cure.
lenge for senior management is how to ensure
its human capital to convert data into meaningful Kallave Maheshwar Gangadharrao(2014)stud-
information and turn that meaningful information ied that the going to explore how one of the life
into common business intelligence and ultimate- skills, i.e. stress management gets reflected in
ly convert that intelligence to WISDOM. the Bhagvad-gita.

Mahadevan (2009)asked that the Bhagavad Gita Verma et al.(2014)suggested that the under-
and for that matter in several other ancient In- standing of the principles of the Bhagwad Gita
dian texts offer a unique value proposition. We and its application in day to day life as an effec-
can have spiritual progress, we can have materi- tive tool for management and coping of stress.
al progress too in a very balanced way. We can
have happiness, not only success. This could be Omprakash M. Ashtankar(2016)suggested that
one of the good reasons for us to look at some the divine principles in Bhagvad Gita for it’s ap-
of these and make our own notes. There is a plication to mind management & development of
greater promise and potential for much larger human capital.
perspectives in ancient Indian wisdom and much Summary and diagnosis
greater propensity to draw out of it and apply in a
variety of situations. Arjun is a great warrior who had been diagnosed
with a depression with predominant guilt. . The
J.P. Balodhi andM.S. Keshavan(2011)recom- diagnosis explains his symptoms of persistent
mended that the Bhagavadgita’s concept of a guilt, sorrow, anxiety, nervousness, confusion,
IJNR: http://escipub.com/international-journal-of-neuroscience-research/ 0005
 Pattabhiram and Deekshitulu, IJNR, 2017; 1:5

negative thoughts and death wish. Hence, it is national Journal of Applied Psychology, 4(2): 45-49.
likely that he is in the state of acute depression
Omprakash M. Ashtankar(2016) Mind Management:
with symptoms of anxiety. Taking the situation Lessons from Bhagvad Gita, , IJARCSMS, Volume
into consideration his condition is most likely to 4, Issue 3.
be a condition of maladjustments or faulty coping
pattern. M. S. Reddy(2012) Psychotherapy - Insights from
Bhagavad Gita, Indian J Psychol Med. 2012 Jan-
Arjuna has become depressed and did not want Mar; 34(1): 100–104.
to participate in mahabharta.,he is very anx- Subhash C. Bhatia, Jayakrishna Madabushi, Venka-
ious about the possibility of the destruction that ta Kolli, Shashi K. Bhatia, and Vishal Madaa(2013)
comes to family and society in the aftermath of The Bhagavad Gita and contemporary psychothera-
war. He becomes discourage, anxious, confused pies, Indian J Psychiatry; 55(Suppl 2): S315–S321.
and lays down his weapons saying he will not
Verma, Nidhi; Singh, Ajay (2014) Stress manage-
fight. ment and eoping embedded in the Bhagwad Gita,
ndian Journal of Health & Wellbeing, Vol. 5 Issue 4,
Conclusion
p520.
The teachings of “Bhagwat Gita” can transform
a person. Bhagwat Gita teaches about “Mind
Control”. Mind is that makes the personality of a
person. De-motivated mind makes a person de-
pressed one & a motivated one makes a person
cheerful. If one’s mind is in one’s control & he/
she can concentrate deeply on one’s work, then
that person can do wonders at work. Mind is very
powerful one & to control it, to keep it in one’s
control is very difficult. It just wanders like wind
here & there & it takes enough of self discipline
& practice of meditation to control it, to get it con-
centrated on any job or activity.

References
Balodhi andM.S. Keshavan(2011) Bhagavadgita
and psychotherapy, AJP,Volume 4, Issue 4, Pages
300–302.

Bhagavad Geeta, Gorakhpur press.

Bhattathiri(2011) Bhagavad Gita : A Motivational

Management,

Biswajit Satpath(2008) The Knowledge of “Self” from

the Bhagavad-Gita and Its Significance for Human
Capital Development, Asian social Science, Vol. 4,
No. 10.

Kallave Maheshwar Gangadharrao(2014) Stress

Management in the Context of Bhagavad-gita, AIIRJ,
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Neha Sharma(2014) The Bhagwat Gita as a Compli-

mentary Tool to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Inter-

IJNR: http://escipub.com/international-journal-of-neuroscience-research/ 0006