Strategies of preventing depressive thoughts: Through reflection from Bhagavad Gita

Abstract

Depression is classified as a mood disorder. It may be described as feelings of sadness, loss, or anger that interfere with one’s everyday activities. The Bhagavad Gita is a counselling session preached in the battle field of Kurukshetra by Lord Krishna to Arjuna, when Arjuna gets mentally depressed on seeing his relatives against him on the battlefield. Thus, Bhagavad Gita elaborates on tactics to achieve the mental equilibrium. This paper focuses on the strategies mentioned and elaborated in Bhagavad Gita to overcome depression. It is a theoretical paper wherein a rigors review of literature was undertaken to identify the themes derived from Bhagavad Gita that can be applied to promotion of metal health, especially in relation to depression. Themes derived from the review are: Detachment, as way of healthy living (Avoiding desires and expectations); Faith as a path towards empowerment and strength; Pure understanding of self leads to enlightenment; Uniting self with world; Coordinating mind and body for integrated personality; Self control leads to salvation; Altruistic service, the purpose of living and Moderate living for healthier ‘YOU’. These themes are important not only to maintain mental health but also to improve mental health for wellbeing. In the present paper, the researcher attempted to explore important thoughts of Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita for Mental Health Education.