Introduction: When Fear Becomes a Habit
Fear is something everyone faces. Whether it’s fear of failure, rejection, uncertainty, or even fear without a clear cause, it can quietly take root in the mind and begin to influence how one thinks, feels, and lives. At some point, most people try to fight fear with logic, motivation, or distraction—only to find that the relief is short-lived.
But what if fear could be addressed at its root—not just managed, but truly understood and transformed?
This blog explores how the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, guided by the insights of Swami Mukundananda, offers a powerful roadmap for overcoming fear. Far from being just a religious scripture, the Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual guide that addresses the root causes of fear and anxiety.
1. Fear Begins with Attachment: A Lesson from the Bhagavad Gita
The first real breakthrough in understanding fear comes from a verse in the Bhagavad Gita that many have read before but rarely reflect on deeply:
Bhagavad Gita 12.15
Sanskrit:
“Yasmaan nodvijate loko lokaannodvijate cha yah,
Harshaamarshabhayodvegairmukto yah sa cha me priyah.”
Translation:
“Those who are not a source of annoyance to anyone and who in turn are not agitated by anyone, who are equal in pleasure and pain, and free from fear and anxiety, such devotees of Mine are very dear to Me.”
👉 Read this verse here
Swamiji explains that fear arises from attachment. It’s not the situation itself, but the mind’s dependence on a specific outcome that gives birth to anxiety.
When someone is attached to their job, they fear losing it. When attached to others’ opinions, they fear judgment. When attached to control, they fear uncertainty.
The Bhagavad Gita does not say “don’t care.” It teaches: care deeply, but don’t cling. Viewing people, events, and even one’s own success as gifts from God—not guarantees—begins to loosen the grip of fear.
2. The Freedom of Karm Yog: Doing Without Clinging
One of the most practical and liberating teachings in the Bhagavad Gita is that of Karm Yog, or the yog of action. The Bhagavad Gita explains that inner freedom comes from detachment, not from inaction.
Bhagavad Gita 2.47
Sanskrit:
“Karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣhu kadāchana,
Mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo 'stv akarmaṇi.”
Translation:
“You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction.”
👉 Read this verse here
This teaching marks a major shift in mindset. Most fear is rooted in the desire for a specific outcome. People fear public speaking not necessarily because of the act, but because of what might follow—judgment, rejection, failure.
By practicing Karm Yog—performing one’s duty sincerely while releasing attachment to the outcome—a sense of calm and inner security begins to arise. This allows action without anxiety.
As Swamiji beautifully summarizes:
“Perform your best action, and surrender the rest to God.”
3. Shree Krishna’s Assurance: Do Not Fear
For anyone battling inner restlessness, the following verse is one of the most soothing promises Shree Krishna offers:
Bhagavad Gita 18.66
Sanskrit:
“sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śharaṇaṁ vraja
ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣhayiṣhyāmi mā śhuchaḥ”
Translation:
“Abandon all varieties of duties and simply surrender unto Me alone. I shall liberate you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.”
👉 Read this verse here
This is not just poetic—it’s a divine promise. When internalized with faith, this verse becomes a powerful mental shield. When fear surfaces, repeating “mā śucah – do not fear” calms the heart.
Swamiji illustrates this with a touching story:
A six-year-old boy insists on traveling alone by train to visit his grandmother. His father, concerned but supportive, gives him a ring with a secret note and says, “If you’re scared, open it.”
A few hours into the journey, the boy becomes overwhelmed by the unfamiliar surroundings. Remembering the ring, he opens it and finds a note: “My child, I’m in the next coach.”
This is Shree Krishna—always near, always present, even if unseen. He may remain hidden to allow space for free will and faith, but once one surrenders, He carries the burden.
4. Who Really Stays With You?
Much of human fear is connected to relationships—the fear of abandonment, loneliness, or betrayal. Swamiji beautifully addresses this illusion through a reflective story of an old man’s wallet.
Over time, the man replaces photos in his wallet: first his father, then a girlfriend, then his wife, and later, his son. As life evolves, each person moves on or departs. Eventually, in an old age home, he returns to the only one who never left—Shree Krishna.
This aligns with the Bhagavad Gita’s profound reminder that the soul is eternal, and true connection lies with the Divine, not temporary worldly relationships.
Bhagavad Gita 2.11
Sanskrit:
“Aśochyān anvashochas tvaṁ prajñā-vādāṁśh cha bhāṣhase,
Gatāsūn agatāsūṁśh cha nānuśhochanti paṇḍitāḥ.”
Translation:
“While you speak words of wisdom, you are mourning for that which is not worthy of grief. The wise lament neither for the living nor for the dead.”
👉 Read this verse here
The only permanent relationship is with the Divine. Others are precious, yes—but temporary. Realizing this truth allows love to blossom without fear or dependency.
5. Removing the Real Poison: The Story of the Well
Swamiji shares a powerful analogy that explains why fear returns even after motivation or temporary clarity.
In a village with only one well, a dog falls in and dies. The water becomes polluted, making the villagers sick. Desperate, they approach a wise guru.
The guru advises:
“The well fills from underground. Start emptying the dirty water with buckets.”
Following his advice, the water clears. But within weeks, it becomes toxic again. When they revisit the guru, he asks,
“Did you remove the dead dog?”
They hadn’t.
Swamiji explains:
“Fear, anxiety, and negativity return again and again because the root cause—ego, pride, and attachment—is still inside. Until the inner impurity is removed, no external solution will last.”
To truly heal, the mind must be purified—and the Gita provides the method:
Bhagavad Gita 9.34
Sanskrit:
“Man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru,
Mām evaiṣhyasi yuktvaivam ātmānaṁ mat-parāyaṇaḥ.”
Translation:
“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.”
👉 Read this verse here
By turning the mind toward Shree Krishna, the inner “well” of consciousness begins to cleanse—and fear slowly dissolves.
6. What’s the Worst That Can Happen? Facing Fear with Wisdom
Fear often thrives on imagination. Swamiji recommends a bold yet simple strategy: “Ask yourself, what’s the worst-case scenario?”
He gives the example of Maharana Pratap, who was told to always travel with bodyguards due to assassination threats. The brave king responded:
“I would rather die once than live every moment in fear of death.”
This echoes Shree Krishna’s teaching in the Bhagavad Gita on the eternal nature of the soul—a reminder that real strength comes from spiritual knowledge.
Bhagavad Gita 2.20
Sanskrit:
“Na jāyate mriyate vā kadāchin nāyaṁ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ,
Ajo nityaḥ śhāśhvato ’yaṁ purāṇo na hanyate hanyamāne śharīre.”
Translation:
“The soul is neither born nor does it ever die; nor having once existed, does it ever cease to be. The soul is unborn, eternal, and ageless. It is not destroyed when the body is slain.”
👉 Read this verse here
The fear of death, failure, loss, or humiliation all arise from mistaking the body and circumstances as the self. The Bhagavad Gita gently reminds: we are the eternal soul, and Shree Krishna is our eternal guide.
Conclusion: The Journey From Fear to Faith
Fear may not disappear overnight. But with the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, it loses its grip. Instead of reacting, one begins to reflect. When fear surfaces, it becomes a sign—not of weakness, but of a moment to reconnect.
Important questions arise:
- Is there an attachment behind this fear?
- Have I forgotten who is truly in control?
- Am I acting from ego—or surrender?
And then, Shree Krishna’s voice becomes clear:
“mā śucah – Do not fear.”
(Bhagavad Gita 18.66)
The Bhagavad Gita does not merely manage fear—it completely redefines it. Through the Bhagavad Gita, we learn that fear fades when we embrace our true identity as eternal souls under the loving care of Shree Krishna.
For anyone struggling with fear—of anything—the Bhagavad Gita offers this sacred invitation:
Don’t just read the Bhagavad Gita.
Live it. Reflect on it. Trust it.
And gradually, fear will fade, where faith has firmly taken root.
Explore the Bhagavad Gita Yourself
Study the Bhagavad Gita with verse-by-verse translation and commentary at:
https://www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org
Call to Action
If this blog resonated with you, take the next step on your journey from fear to faith. Subscribe to Swami Mukundananda’s YouTube channel for regular insights that illuminate the mind and uplift the soul. To truly absorb the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, explore the full text with verse-by-verse commentary at holy-bhagavad-gita.org. Let the Gita guide you—not just to manage fear, but to rise above it through divine understanding.
