ShodhPatra: International Journal of Science and Humanities

Anxiety Management through Bhagavad Gita Teachings and Indian Knowledge System

Anxiety has emerged as one of the most pervasive psychological challenges of the contemporary world, intensified by academic pressure, occupational stress, uncertainty, and rapid socio-cultural change. While modern psychology offers cognitive-behavioral and pharmacological interventions, there is a growing recognition of the value of indigenous, holistic frameworks rooted in Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS). This paper explores anxiety management through the philosophical and psychological teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, positioning it as an early and comprehensive model of mental health and emotional regulation. Drawing upon key Gita concepts such as Nishkama Karma (selfless action), Sthitaprajna (emotional stability), Buddhi Yoga (discriminative wisdom), and Abhyasa–Vairagya (practice and detachment), the study examines how these principles align with contemporary constructs of anxiety reduction, resilience, mindfulness, and meaning-centered coping (Bhagavad Gita 2.47, 2.48, 6.5–6.6). The dialogical context of the Gita—Arjuna’s existential anxiety on the battlefield—serves as a symbolic representation of modern psychological distress, making the text highly relevant to present-day mental health discourse (Radhakrishnan, 1951; Dalal, 2014). Using a qualitative, conceptual analysis, the paper integrates classical commentaries and modern psychological interpretations to demonstrate how Gita-based practices promote cognitive reframing, emotional regulation, and reduction of outcome-based anxiety. The findings suggest that Gita teachings parallel evidence-based approaches such as acceptance-based therapies, mindfulness, and logotherapy (Frankl, 1963; Kabat-Zinn, 2003). The paper concludes that incorporating Bhagavad Gita–based insights within the broader framework of Indian Knowledge Systems can enrich culturally sensitive mental health interventions and educational practices, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s emphasis on holistic well-being and indigenous wisdom. The study advocates for empirical validation and structured integration of Gita-based models in anxiety management programs. Keywords: Anxiety Management, Bhagavad Gita, Indian Knowledge Systems, Nishkama Karma, Mental Health, Spiritual Psychology