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Understanding depression via Mahabharat
This story will help you understand what is depression. Many of you might know Mahabharat. For those who do not know, it is the most profound history of India which was written in a poetic composition. One of the longest poems of all is Mahabharat with a lac of verses. Unusual for sure!
People who invaded India have not understood Mahabharat and hence today Indian Education System is introducing Mahabharat as a Mythological prose poem. However, people who know the truth will agree to disagree with labelling.
If there is any label that fits into Mahabharat, it is Mysticology. It is the most profound mystical story interwoven with multiple layers of realities. Wars play a central role in human history. When you will go through Mahabharat, you will come to its war part also. Mahabharat war was one of the greatest wars.
I will not tell you the entire Mahabharat story today but in the center of Mahabharat war you will understand what is depression. Mahabharat is a story of two brothers and their children, who become enemies and war was declared between them.
These brothers were knowns as Pandavas and Kauravas. Pandavas are 5 brothers and Kauravas are 100 brothers. If we also see this as a metaphor, then 5 positive thoughts can destroy 100 negative thoughts. This is exactly what happened in Mahabharat war. 5 Pandavas won and all Kauravas were killed in the war.
Let me bring you back to our central point to understand what is depression. Mahabharat war was declared and both Pandava's and Kaurava's armies were standing in front of each other in the battle field known as Kurukshetra - land of Kurus. Kurus created a civilisation with a vibrant culture of knowledge, wealth, courage, righteousness, peace and harmony.
However, anything that has a beginning also has an end, which is the reality of this world. Hence, Mahabharat. When both these armies were standing against each other one of the Pandava brother, Arjun, asked his charioteer who was none other than Lord Krishna, to take the chariot in the middle of the battle field.
When Lord Krishna took Arjun to the middle of the battle field, Arjun observed both armies and said:
अर्जुन उवाच | दृष्ट्वेमं स्वजनं कृष्ण युयुत्सुं समुपस्थितम् || 28|| सीदन्ति मम गात्राणि मुखं च परिशुष्यति |
Arjun Said, "O Krishna, seeing my own kinsmen arrayed for battle here and intent on killing each other, my limbs are giving away and my mouth is drying up".
वेपथुश्च शरीरे मे रोमहर्षश्च जायते || 29||
गाण्डीवं स्रंसते हस्तात्त्वक्चै व परिदह्यते |
न च शक्नोम्यवस्थातुं भ्रमतीव च मे मन: || 30||
निमित्तानि च पश्यामि विपरीतानि केशव |
न च श्रेयोऽनुपश्यामि हत्वा स्वजनमाहवे || 31||**
My whole body is trembling ; my hair is standing on the edge. My bow, the Gāṇḍīv, is slipping from my hand, and my skin is burning all over. My mind is in quandary and whirling in confusion; I am unable to hold myself steady any longer. O Krishna, killer of the Keshi demon, I only see omens of misfortune. I do not foresee how any good can come from killing my own kinsmen in this battle.
What is depression
So to answer this question 'What is Depression?', let us understand that what Arjun was going through is called depression.
When you are in the depression loop, you will experience all the above which Arjun was experiencing.
In more simple terms if you want to understand what is depression then depression is not a dis-ease, it is just a condition. Be unafraid. Depression can be cured.
Yes the exposure of information on the internet is overwhelming. Before getting into how to overcome depression first at least find out whether you have depression or not. I have been treating depression patients for past 25+ years. Most of them have come out of depression.
How to check depression?
This is the most common question whether one is going through depression or not. How do we check this? Is there any depression test? Are there any scientific equipments that detect whether you are in depression or not?
My friend as I mentioned above, depression is just a condition. This condition is coming through the mind. Now mind is a very complex phenomenon. There are various researches going on across the world to understand the mind. Hence, psychology and psychotherapy comes handy.
There are various ways a psychologist or psychotherapist or a psychiatrist find out if a person is in depression or not. ICD-10 code for depression has suggested various symptoms of depression. Based on that it is possible to find out the depression status.
Couple of my patients asked me if I can give them some online depression test as they were from out of India. I started working R&D with my team to develop a free online depression test.
Finally in 2021 we were able to create a test which was sent to various people across the world. Around 37000 people took this test. To our surprise we discovered that 34000 people were in depression.
The same tool is also made available offline. You can find out whether you are in depression or not. You can download the Depression Self Assessment Tool 2.0 which is developed under my guidance. We have also referred WHO classification of Depression ICD 10 Codes while developing this tool.
If you are looking for more precise result whether you have mild depression, moderate depression or severe depression I will suggest you to take this online depression test 2.0
Depression meaning
If you type depression meaning in google search you will find one of the meanings from oxford dictionary - "a feeling of unhappiness that lasts for a long time. Depression can be a medical condition and may have physical signs, for example being unable to sleep, etc."
My friend, if you go on Wikipedia then they have kept this under Depression (Mood). You can go on and on doing your search to find what is depression and its meaning. My friend I have been treating people for past 25 years. Information on the internet is overwhelming when it comes to depression.
Hence, I suggest it is better you understand the most simple and yet profound meaning and description I have given about depression. It is a condition and I assure you that you can overcome it if you are willing to come out of it.
Overcome depression
Now you know what is depression, it is time for you to take the depression test and find out your status. Once you find your result you can begin your journey to overcome depression.
Do not delay for a single day my friend in starting your depression treatment.
If you are in mild depression then you will be out of it within 30-45 days and that too without medication.
Hence, it is best to start your treatment. You can use 45 days guided depression treatment which is researched and developed under my guidance.
It is available in English, Hindi and Gujarati. There are 3 bonuses with this treatment which will help you to recover faster.
I have given all the necessary steps on how to overcome depression in this webapp.
All instructions are also given so that you can do your self treatment for depression.
There is a guided meditation provided in this webapp for you. Most of my patients have felt 100% feel good factor as soon as they do this meditation.
So my friend, it is time for you to begin your journey to overcome depression on your own. My effort here is to help you come out of depression without medication. I do not suggest you to take antidepressants on your own.
It will not at all help you my friend. Hence, never take any antidepressants without prescription of a health expert. I want you to have faith. You are not alone in this journey. Me and my team are with you.
Feel free to share your questions or experiences below in the comment section. If you are reading this blog because you want to help someone then, I suggest you also share this blog with him/her.
Both of you read it together and then it will be very easy for you to help the one who is in depression.
I pray for your wellbeing.
Free resources to overcome depression
1. Join Course - How to overcome depression online course
Discover the key to overcoming depression with our powerful online course. This course is facilitated by Dr. Falguni Jani, India’s leading integral psychotherapist. She provides expert guidance and support throughout the course by offering various practical techniques, tools and strategies needed to overcome depression. Her life experience of 25+ years in helping 1000s of individuals to beat depression has been accumulated in this course. Enrol now by joining the course and take the first step towards regaining your happiness and life.
2. Start Diagnosis - Online depression test
The online depression test has been used by 34000+ people globally. It is scientifically researched and provides you with as an assessment of whether you are in depression or not. The test is researched and developed under the guidance of Dr. Falguni Jani. It is created using reference from WHO ICD 10 Code for depression.
3. Join Forum - Overcome depression forum
Join our Overcome Depression Forum which is dedicated to supporting and helping individuals who are on the journey of overcoming depression with self help tools & methods. You can connect with a supportive community of like-minded individuals who understand the challenges of dealing with depression and also have overcome depression using self help methods. It is a safe and non-judgemental space where you can freely share your experience, thoughts, questions and seek support. This forum is led by Dr. Falguni Jani. She will answer your questions within 72 hours.
4. Download Ebook - Mild depression treatment ebook
Discover effective strategies to overcome mild depression with our mild depression treatment guide ebook. This ebook provides practical tips and techniques to help you overcome mild depression with ease on your own. Written by Dr. Falguni Jani, you will get the best expert support in this step-by-step guide. With easy-to-follow methods, techniques and tools, you can choose your best treatment method from the variety of treatment options suggested by her for mild depression.
5. Download Ebook - Moderate depression treatment ebook
Overcome moderate depression with ease from the effective treatment options suggested by Dr. Falguni Jani. With 25+ years of experience in treating depression patients, she has carefully given practical techniques which work for moderate depression. Choose whichever self-help treatment that suits you best and begin your journey to overcome moderate depression with ease. Download the moderate depression treatment ebook today and take the first step towards a happier depression-free life.
6. Download Ebook - How to overcome suicidal thoughts during depression ebook
Going through suicidal thoughts happens to many during their battle with depression. Discover the ultimate guide to conquering suicidal thoughts during depression by with our ebook. Written by Dr. Falguni Jani, this book is packed with proven techniques and tools to help you overcome suicidal thoughts during depression. Lots of individuals have been benefited and have been able to overcome suicidal thoughts and gradually reduce their depression symptoms. Gain resilience, confidence, motivation and support through this ebook.
7. Join Group - Wellbeing prayers
Join our Wellbeing Prayers group and experience the power of collective positive energy. This group is dedicated to promoting mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing through the practice of prayer. Praying has nothing to do with any religion. It is a safe and non-judgemental space which is not bound by religion or cult. It is open to all who believe in praying. By joining, you will have the opportunity to pray with like-minded individuals who share a common goal of finding inner peace and serenity. Together, we will create a supportive and uplifting community where you can seek solace, share your thoughts, and receive encouragement. Join us today and send wellbeing prayers to all.
** The sanskrit verses are referred from Bhagvad Gita Chapter 1 - Version 38 to 31.