Psycho-Pragmatics of Motivational Counselling in the Bhagavad Gita

Braj Mohan

Professor of English, NCERT, New Delhi

Abstract:

Motivational counselling is an interdisciplinary area where social psychology interacts with pragmatics as it requires a good understanding of human psychology as well as of strategies of communication to be a successful motivator. This article explores one of the earliest instances of motivational counselling detailed in the Bhagavad Gita, where Krishna counsels
Arjuna to bring him out of the mire of conflict and illusion and motivates him to fight the war. The conversation between Krishna and Arjuna in the Gita has been analysed mainly in the light of Kurt Lewin’s (1935) approach-avoidance theory, and Brown and Levinson’s (1987) politeness theory with a view to highlighting the scriptural significance of this holy
text that goes beyond its philosophical and religious teachings. It has been observed that the symptoms of Arjuna’s depression are seemingly caused by his approach-avoidance conflict and cognitive-dissonance in the context of family conflict. Krishna analyses Arjuna’s condition, symptoms and causes, and then successfully counsels him using various strategies of motivational counselling. 

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Psycho-Pragmatics of Motivational Counselling in the Bhagavad Gita

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