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How To Overcome Breathing Anxiety? – Hinduism Solutions And Practical Approaches

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Overcoming Breathing Anxiety: Hinduism Solutions and Practical Approaches

Breathing anxiety, often manifesting as shortness of breath, palpitations, or tightness in the chest, can be debilitating. In Hinduism, both philosophical insights and practical tools, such as mantras, worship, and meditation, are used to overcome mental and physical distress. Below, we'll explore ways to address breathing anxiety by invoking specific deities, using particular mantras, daily practices, and insights drawn from Hindu scriptures.

Practical Day-to-Day Solutions

  1. Pranayama (Controlled Breathing Exercises)

    • Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing): This is one of the most effective breathing techniques to balance the nervous system and reduce anxiety. It involves breathing in and out through alternate nostrils to balance energy channels (nadis) and calm the mind.
    • Ujjayi Breathing (Victorious Breath): Often called the "ocean breath," this slow, deep breathing technique calms the vagus nerve and induces relaxation.
    • Brahmari (Humming Bee Breath): By making a humming sound, this practice soothes the mind and helps relieve tension, anxiety, and frustration.

  2. Japa Meditation (Chanting of Mantras) Daily repetition of specific mantras can bring the mind back to the present, counteracting the overwhelming feelings associated with anxiety. Mantra meditation connects your thoughts to divine vibrations, creating a shield of peace.

  3. Daily Rituals

    • Lighting a Lamp: Begin your day by lighting a lamp and offering prayers to your deity of choice. This small act sets a tone of peace and invokes divine protection.
    • Grounding Through Nature: Hinduism emphasizes the connection with nature. Walking barefoot on grass, practicing mindful walking, or spending time in natural settings can have a calming effect on the nervous system.
    • Mindful Eating: Follow a Sattvic diet, consuming fresh fruits, vegetables, and milk products. A clean diet nurtures a calm mind and improves mental clarity.

  4. Bhakti (Devotional Practices) Surrendering one’s fears to a chosen deity helps in relieving the burden of anxiety. Bhakti involves focusing your emotions and thoughts on the divine, thereby reducing mental clutter.

Mantras for Overcoming Breathing Anxiety

  1. Dhanvantari Mantra
    Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician, is invoked for healing physical and mental illnesses.

    • Mantra:
      "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Dhanvantaraye Amrita Kalasha Hastaaya Sarva Bhaya Vinashaaya Trailokya Nathaya Shri Mahavishnave Namah."
      Meaning: “I bow to the divine Lord Dhanvantari, who holds the nectar of immortality and removes all fears.”

    Repeating this mantra while focusing on your breath brings about physical healing and peace of mind.

  2. Ashwini Kumaras Mantra The Ashwini Kumaras, the twin deities of healing, are invoked to bring relief from physical ailments and anxiety.

    • Mantra:
      "Om Ashwini Kumara Devaya Namaha."
      Chanting this mantra invokes their blessings for health, vitality, and the removal of obstacles to well-being.

  3. Ganesha Mantra Lord Ganesha is the remover of obstacles, both external and internal. He brings mental clarity and emotional stability.

    • Mantra:
      "Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha."
      This mantra is excellent for calming the mind, dissolving fear, and clearing any blocks that might be contributing to breathing anxiety.

  4. Pashupati Shiva Mantra As the compassionate form of Shiva, Lord Pashupati brings relief from suffering. His energy can soothe deep-rooted fears and anxiety.

    • Mantra:
      "Om Namah Pashupataye Namaha."
      Chanting this mantra invokes Shiva’s power to help you overcome fear and mental anguish.

  5. Krishna Mantra Lord Krishna, the embodiment of joy and bliss, helps alleviate the emotional turbulence that can cause anxiety.

    • Mantra:
      "Om Sri Krishnaya Namah."
      Repeating this mantra invokes the presence of Krishna, bringing a sense of love, joy, and peace.

  6. Goddess Lakshmi Mantra Goddess Lakshmi represents abundance and prosperity, both material and spiritual. Chanting her mantra brings peace of mind and removes anxiety caused by insecurity or fear of lack.

    • Mantra:
      "Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namah."
      This mantra provides a calming, nurturing energy that dispels worries related to fear and insecurity.

Inspirational Stories and Quotes from Hindu Scriptures

  1. Story of Ganesha and Kubera:
    Lord Ganesha once humbled Kubera, the god of wealth, who tried to impress him with a lavish feast. Ganesha ate all the food and remained hungry, teaching Kubera that ego and material wealth do not bring true fulfillment or peace. Ganesha's lesson teaches that anxiety can be rooted in our attachment to material outcomes. Surrendering our desires and trusting divine providence can alleviate anxiety.

  2. The Bhagavad Gita’s Teachings:
    In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says to Arjuna:

    • Quote: “Yogastha kuru karmani sangam tyaktva dhananjaya; siddhy-asiddhyoh samo bhutva samatvam yoga ucyate” (2:48)
      Translation: “Be steadfast in yoga, Arjuna. Perform your duty without attachment, remaining even-minded in success and failure. Such equanimity is called yoga.”
      This verse teaches the importance of remaining balanced, regardless of outcomes. This mindset can reduce the anxiety that comes from worrying about results.

Deities for Worship to Overcome Anxiety

  1. Lord Dhanvantari: The deity of health and healing. His worship removes physical ailments and mental disturbances.

    • Ideal practice: Offering Tulsi leaves and chanting his mantra daily can promote both physical and emotional healing.

  2. Ashwini Kumaras: As celestial healers, they represent vitality and the renewal of health. Worshipping them during sunrise, while focusing on breath control, can bring relief from stress and anxiety.

  3. Lord Ganesha: As the remover of obstacles, Ganesha brings mental clarity. Offering Durva grass and chanting his mantras clears the mental fog that often accompanies anxiety.

  4. Lord Krishna: The supreme comforter. Devotion to Krishna cultivates joy, love, and a sense of deep security. Offering butter or sweets to Krishna and chanting his name can fill the heart with bliss, dispelling fears.

Importance of Mental Surrender (Ishvara Pranidhana)

One of the lesser-known but profound solutions for anxiety in Hinduism is Ishvara Pranidhana, or surrender to the divine will. Surrendering personal control to a higher power eases the burden of life’s uncertainties, which are often the root cause of anxiety. Daily prayers where you mentally offer your anxieties and fears to your chosen deity help in cultivating this attitude.

Lesser-Known Approaches

  1. Yantra Meditation:
    Focusing on sacred geometrical patterns, like the Yantra of Goddess Lakshmi or the Sri Yantra, can calm the mind. Meditating on these images while breathing deeply helps ground the mind in the present moment.

  2. Mudras (Hand Gestures):
    Specific mudras like Prana Mudra (Life Force Gesture) and Gyan Mudra (Gesture of Knowledge) are believed to balance internal energies and reduce anxiety.

  3. Tarpana (Water Offering Rituals):
    Pouring water as an offering to the Sun or to a Shiva Lingam helps in letting go of emotional baggage. It's symbolic of cleansing mental and emotional impurities.


Breathing anxiety, while challenging, can be effectively addressed through the rich spiritual practices in Hinduism. By combining pranayama, mantras, devotional worship, and surrender, one can find peace and balance. Deities like Dhanvantari, Ashwini Kumaras, Ganesha, Krishna, and Lakshmi offer different aspects of relief, be it health, mental clarity, joy, or prosperity. Through consistent practice, inner tranquility can be restored, dissolving anxiety and ushering in a sense of divine peace.