Psychotherapeutic influence on arjunas behavioural transformation

Abstract

Psychotherapy is a mental health treatment method that aims to bring positive changes in human behavior, control emotions, correct negative thoughts, and live happily. The Srimat Bhagavad Gita focuses on Lord Krishna's guidance to Arjuna in the Bhishma Parva of the Mahabharata. The text addresses Arjuna's negative issues, such as depression, anxiety, and a lack of leadership skills. Before the war, Lord Krishna observed Arjuna's malbehaviours, which included sadness, fear, difficulty making decisions, dilemmas etc. As a psychotherapist, Krishna adopted psychological steps (gaining self-confidence, resolution from doubt, turmoil to equanimity, self-doubt to self-realization, sense control, reactive to proactive, correct knowledge, conflict to integration—CBT) to help Arjuna's behavioural transformations. The Bhagavad Gita offers profound insights into the human psyche and personal growth. It emphasizes duty, selflessness, mindfulness, and the nature of self, providing a framework for understanding and addressing modern psychological challenges. Integrating these teachings with modern psychotherapeutic practice enriches therapeutic interventions.