(Image courtesy krishna.org)

Psychological Health (state of mind & emotion) has Direct Effect on Physical Health

अर्जुन उवाच |

दृष्ट्वेमं स्वजनं कृष्ण युयुत्सुं समुपस्थितम् || 1.28||
सीदन्ति मम गात्राणि मुखं च परिशुष्यति |
वेपथुश्च शरीरे मे रोमहर्षश्च जायते || 1.29||
गाण्डीवं स्रंसते हस्तात्त्वक्चै व परिदह्यते |
न च शक्नोम्यवस्थातुं भ्रमतीव च मे मन: || 1.30||
निमित्तानि च पश्यामि विपरीतानि केशव |
न च श्रेयोऽनुपश्यामि हत्वा स्वजनमाहवे || 1.31||
न काङ्क्षे विजयं कृष्ण न च राज्यं सुखानि च

Arjuna uvācha

dṛiṣhṭvemaṁ sva-janaṁ kṛiṣhṇa yuyutsuṁ samupasthitam
sīdanti mama gātrāṇi mukhaṁ cha pariśhuṣhyati
vepathuśh cha śharīre me roma-harṣhaśh cha jāyate
gāṇḍīvaṁ sraṁsate hastāt tvak chaiva paridahyate
na cha śhaknomy avasthātuṁ bhramatīva cha me manaḥ
nimittāni cha paśhyāmi viparītāni keśhava
na cha śhreyo ’nupaśhyāmi hatvā sva-janam āhave
na kāṅkṣē vijayaṃ kṛṣṇa na cha rājyaṃ sukhāni cha

Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 1- Ver. 28 – 31:

My entire body trembles and my hair stands on end. My Gandiva bow is slipping from my grip, and my skin is burning from head to toe. My mind is uncertain and whirling in confusion; I can’t seem to stay still any longer.
I only see omens of misfortune, O Krishna, killer of the Keshi monster. I don’t see how killing my own family members can benefit me in this struggle.

Explanation

Arjuna suffered from a full-fledged panic attack once his thought was thrown off balance. Arjuna revealed his symptoms to Shri Krishna in these verses, beginning with bodily symptoms and progressing to mental and emotional problems in later verses. It’s uncommon to come across a spiritual source that gives a detailed account of a psychological breakdown.
Arjun had gotten so disillusioned that he succumbed to superstition. He only saw negative omens foreshadowing impending disaster. As a result, he believed it would be a sin to fight in such a conflict.

Verse & What we can learn

One’s state of mind (thoughts & emotions) has a direct effect on physical health.

When one is strong psychologically, though he has health limitations he can still face any challenges that life poses and can overcome them.

But even when one is physically fit and active if his psychological state is off-balance he can achieve nothing.

Most of us focus on physical health and neglect psychological health, but keeping a check on psychological health (emotions & thought process) is way more important.

Making it a habit to meditate daily is one of the best ways to keep fit psychologically in present times because the power of meditation is beyond one’s imagination.

In the next verses, we will know what statements Arjuna make after starting to lose control over his body and mind.

Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…