3 Yogic Steps From Bhagavad Gita to Overcome Stress & Anxiety

When faced with the hardest of all challenges in which he had to face his own family members during the Mahabharata war, Arjuna was taken over by panic and intense anxiety. Keeping his hands in a praying posture towards Lord Krishna, Arjuna said: “I am confused about my duty, and am besieged with anxiety and faintheartedness. I am Your disciple, and am surrendered to You. Please instruct me for certain what is best for me” (B.G. 2.7). As His replies to this sincere request, Lord Krishna gifted humanity one of the most profound of all religious scriptures, Bhagavad Gita. In this article, we will explore 3 powerful teachings of Lord Krishna in order to develop a yogic mindset and, as a result, overcome all kinds of stress and pressure.

In chapter 2 of Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna told Arjuna:

“Be steadfast in the performance of your duty, O Arjuna, abandoning attachment to success and failure. Such equanimity is called Yog.”

Karma Yoga is a fundamental lesson from Bhagavad Gita that we should adopt in our lives. For thousands of years people have been taking birth and dying. The eternal cycle of life and death is always continuing. However, some exceptional individuals attain Moksha or liberation from this continuous cycle of suffering.

Indeed, the best step that we can take in order to achieve freedom from this endless struggle is to perform our duties without thinking about the results. This mindset shift will cut off your attachments to worldly matters. This is a powerful way, recommended by Bhagwan Krishna, for deep inner purification.

“But those who are temperate in eating and recreation, balanced in work, and regulated in sleep, can mitigate all sorrows by practicing Yog.”

Overindulge in any kinds of sensual activities is a downhill path that guarantees suffering. Desires are like wild fire. Thinking about them or the consistent attempts to fulfil them is like adding oil into the fire. Instead we should realise the impermanent and fleeting nature of cravings and aversions and implement the habit of moderation in everything that we do. Eat sattvic food. Meditate everyday. Practice yoga. Don’t take part in gossips or negative conversations. Avoid lying. When you create internal balance through moderation and yogic practices, stress and anxieties will become powerless in front of you.

“Always think of Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me, and offer obeisance to Me. Having dedicated your mind and body to Me, you will certainly come to Me.”

Consider all the actions that you are performing as your offerings to the Supreme. In fact, we can practice meditation by keeping an image of Lord Krishna in our minds. Wake up during Brahma Muhurta. Light a diyas. Then, keep an image of Bhagwan in front of you. After observing the image for sometime, close your eyes and maintain the same image in your mind. This simple habit will help us significantly in surrendering ourselves whole heartedly to the God.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What mantra reduces anxiety and stress?
   "Om Namah Shivaya" mantra is very powerful for reducing stress and anxiety.
2. What are the three main types of yoga described in the Gita?
   Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga , and Jnana Yoga are the three main types of yoga described in the Gita.
3. What was Krishna's best line?
   One of the most famous quote by Lord Krishna from Bhagavad Gita is, "You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions."