In the first chapter of the Geeta we have seen the neurotic tendencies demonstrated by Arjuna. Lord Krishna has devised the techniques of one to one counselling to Arjuna in order to restore his intellectual balance and foresight. Hence the second chapter has been named as Sankhya Yoga or the chapter of Knowledge. It is the knowledge which dispels ignorance and steers the misguided persons on the right path. An apt counsellor channelises the knowledge in such a way that the sick starts realising the truth and recovers from the disease.

 

The counsellor applies the language, imagery, phrases, symbols, concepts and similes which are familiar to the victim of mental depression. Since Arjuna was raised in the environs of the Vedic culture, Lord Krishna uses the core concepts of the Vedic philosophy to ignite his intellect and drive away his escapist mentality. First , he creates jitters in the mind of Arjuna by expressing his surprise over his mental impotence. The utterance of the word impotence jolts the conscience of a great warrior like Arjuna. Earlier he was totally determined not to fight the war, but now he is seeking guidance from Lord Krishna about the righteous path to follow. The opening remark of the counselling has brought a great mental shift in couple of moments.

 

The biggest fear which was plaguing the mind of Arjuna was that of death of his relatives including himself. Lord Krishna propounded that there is nothing permanent in the world . Everything is in a flux. Even the human body undergoes irreversible changes from childhood to youth and from youth to old age. Ultimately, the body perishes and vanishes into oblivion. But it is not the end of the existence.

 

The inner self in the form of consciousness is immortal and everlasting. It is an inseparable part of the Infinity. Anxiety and depression happens because one resists the dynamics of the change which is inevitable. In this context while extending the concept of the everlasting nature of consciousness, Lord Krishna beautifully weaves one of the cardinal theories of the transmigration of the soul and reincarnation which is one of the hottest topics and subjects of research in the field of Parapsychology even today. Pleasure and pain are intertwined. So a person is required to bear both pleasurable and painful sensations. Thus, sense organs need to be trained to adapt to these fleeting experiences.

 

The practice of bearing pleasure and pain gives rise to mental resilience and equipoise. The equilibrium achieved through the practice of Yoga establishes one in the state of balance and harmony. It is with the harmonious personality that one performs actions without being attached to it. Actions performed without a sense of attachment does not generate worries or anxiety. A person is established in a flow state of the mind. This state is the most active as well as the creative state of the mind. During the conversation Lord Krishna has defined Yoga at two places. He has called Yoga as Samatva or a state of equilibrium.

 

This is the state when the body and mind are in perfect coordination and unison. Another definition of Yoga given by Lord Krishna is Karma - Kaushalam or the efficient performance of the bounden duty. This is the Nishkama Karma Yoga or the actions performed without being attached to it. Such a person has been called Sthitaprajna or established in wisdom. Thus, we find that the counselling of Lord Krishna which is therapeutic in the beginning becomes more philosophical and spiritual as it progresses further. (The writer is Former DG Police & CG, Homeguards, Maharashtra) ■