Bhagavad Gita Quotes On Mental Health
Bhagavad Gita serves as a tool for teaching Arjuna, Krishna’s disciple, how to use his mind. He will have to fight a battle, he dislikes one that will result in the death of members of his own family in order to establish a kingdom’s rule.
Krishna utilizes Arjuna’s internal turmoil to instruct him on the mind. Through the fundamental theories of action, knowledge, love, duty, and renunciation are taught.
Here are four lessons on mental health that can be learned from the epic poem The Bhagavad Gita
Being yourself
The Gita teaches us that it is our responsibility to take our own paths. You must identify your temperament and behave accordingly in order to maintain the health of your mind.
This relates to the idea of Dharma, which is one’s obligation and pursuit of their true purpose. Every one of us has a unique Dharma. You must become your true self by living out your instincts.
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुण: परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् |
स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेय: परधर्मो भयावह:
śhreyān swa-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt sv-anuṣhṭhitāt
swa-dharme nidhanaṁ śhreyaḥ para-dharmo bhayāvahaḥ
Your values, your attitude, and what you’ve learned are all malleable. These alter over time in response to influence, intent, and a wide range of other factors.
It’s important to comprehend your biological make-up. Knowing oneself involves recognizing your natural tendencies.
Find it and use it. Find out what drives your thought process and follow it. Utilize your strengths, assign responsibility for your weaknesses, and build on both as you go.
Don’t hold expectations
You have the right to carry out the tasks that are required of you, but you do not have the right to the rewards of your labour. Never attach yourself to inaction or think you are to blame for the outcomes of your actions.
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन |
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि
karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣhu kadāchana
mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo ’stvakarmaṇi
It is preferable to pursue something than to do nothing. Equally, it is preferable to pursue a goal with surrender than with anxiety. It may be simpler, if not seamless, to follow your Dharma and to act without expecting anything in return.
Live a Moderate Life
Live a moderate life. Reduce intake and address excess in all areas. Don’t overdo or underdo what needs to be done in daily life. Eat enough food, Get sufficient rest, speech say enough, Be sure to exercise enough, Practice meditation regularly and Do sufficient work. Choose who you spend your time with care.
नात्यश्नतस्तु योगोऽस्ति न चैकान्तमनश्नत: |
न चाति स्वप्नशीलस्य जाग्रतो नैव चार्जुन |
nātyaśhnatastu yogo ’sti na chaikāntam anaśhnataḥ
na chāti-svapna-śhīlasya jāgrato naiva chārjuna
युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु |
युक्तस्वप्ना
yuktāhāra-vihārasya yukta-cheṣhṭasya karmasu
yukta-svapnāvabodhasya yogo bhavati duḥkha-hā
A spiritual seeker needs to cultivate the skill of moderation. The absence of excess in any circumstance is what is meant by moderation. Moderation is all about calmness and awareness. Without moderation, yoga and material pursuits cannot succeed. The world’s previous geniuses had all been moderate in their behaviour.
Consistent meditation
One is liberated from all affliction by engaging in meditation. This is the yoga path. Follow it with tenacity and unwavering zeal. Use your will to restrain your senses while renouncing all selfish expectations and desires. Through perseverance and consistent practice, the mind will eventually become still in the Self.
योगी युञ्जीत सततमात्मानं रहसि स्थित: |
एकाकी यतचित्तात्मा निराशीरपरिग्रह: |
yogī yuñjīta satatam ātmānaṁ rahasi sthitaḥ
ekākī yata-chittātmā nirāśhīr aparigrahaḥ
The Gita instructs us to set aside time for meditation. Sync up your heart and mind. The secret is Equanimity. Simply being is what meditation is all about. To calm one’s ego. Through the practice of doing nothing, cultivate purity in emotion and feeling. In order to control irrational thoughts, master your monkey mind.
The Bhagavad Gita has much more to offer than what has been aforementioned. Read it regularly, to alter your perspective on life.