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International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management

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ISSN: 3108-1754 (Online)
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Volume 02, Issue 7

Published on: July 2026

THE BHAGAVAD GITA AND THE PSYCHOLOGY OF INNER TRANSFORMATION

N R Gopal

Department of English

CUHP, Dharamshala

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Plagiarism Passed Peer Reviewed Open Access

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Abstract

The purpose of the paper is to re-interpret the Bhagavad Gita as a psychological document of an early time period, which anticipates some of the modern counseling, psychotherapeutic, emotional regulation and behavioural transformation theories. It has been proposed that Arjuna's vishada (emotional breakdown) represents some of the earliest recorded instances of emotional breakdown and that of Krishna's therapy a finely-tuned form that falls somewhere between what is called modern day CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and existential psychology, trauma counselling and transpersonal psychology. The six therapeutic stages (i.e., stabilization, cognitive reframing, self-knowledge, behavioural activation, emotional integration and transpersonal expansion) are the items discussed in the conversation between Arjuna and Krishna. The paper embeds the Gita in the context of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), focusing on the Gita's message on human behaviour, personality, ethics, and well-being. It is a comprehensive model of psychological healing from crisis to clarity that can be found in the Gita and is a profound and ageless text for mental health, ethical choices, and the inner strength of today's world.

Keywords: Bhagavad Gita, psychology, counseling, cognitive reframing, Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), existential psychology, transpersonal therapy.

How to Cite this Paper

Gopal, N. R. (2026). The Bhagavad Gita and the Psychology of Inner Transformation. International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management, <i>02</i>(7). https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i7.098

Gopal, N. "The Bhagavad Gita and the Psychology of Inner Transformation." International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management, vol. 02, no. 7, 2026, pp. . doi:https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i7.098.

Gopal, N. "The Bhagavad Gita and the Psychology of Inner Transformation." International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management 02, no. 7 (2026). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i7.098.

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  • Published on: Jul 10 2026
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