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How To Overcome Impulsive Behavior? – Hinduism Solutions And Practical Approaches

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Overcoming impulsive behavior, a challenge many face, is deeply connected to achieving inner balance, self-control, and clarity in decision-making. Hinduism offers profound wisdom, practical approaches, and spiritual guidance to combat impulsive tendencies. Here, I’ll outline daily practices, mantras, stories, quotes, and deities to invoke for inner discipline and peace.

Practical Day-to-Day Solutions

  1. Mindfulness and Awareness:

    • Practice mindfulness throughout the day. This can be as simple as observing your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations when the urge to act impulsively arises.
    • Before reacting, pause and breathe deeply. This momentary break creates a gap between stimulus and reaction, allowing the higher self to take over the impulsive mind.

  2. Daily Meditation:

    • Meditation helps bring awareness to the root of impulsivity, which often stems from an overactive mind. Start with just 10 minutes a day, focusing on the breath or using a mantra (more on this below).
    • Set aside time in the early morning or before sleeping for reflective meditation, where you can calmly review the day's actions and notice where impulse took over.

  3. Japa and Mantra Chanting:

    • Repeating sacred mantras helps in centering the mind and curbing erratic thoughts. Japa (repetition of the mantra with a mala) anchors the consciousness and disciplines the mind.

  4. Reading Scriptures:

    • Regularly read from Hindu scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita or Ramayana to draw inspiration from the lives of great personalities and their ability to act wisely under pressure.

  5. Cultivate Sattva (Purity):

    • Sattva is one of the three gunas (qualities) in Hinduism that leads to clarity, calmness, and wisdom. To cultivate this quality:
      • Eat a Sattvic diet, focusing on fresh, simple, and nourishing food.
      • Surround yourself with positive, uplifting influences (people, music, environment).
      • Follow a regular daily routine that involves waking up early, maintaining cleanliness, and dedicating time to spiritual practices.

Relevant Mantras for Control and Calm

  1. Mantra of Lord Krishna (For Guidance and Wisdom):

    • Krishna, known for his ability to guide Arjuna through his inner turmoil in the Bhagavad Gita, represents clarity and wise action.
    • Mantra:
      "Om Kleem Krishnaya Namah"
      Chant this mantra daily to invoke the qualities of Krishna’s balanced wisdom, fostering clarity and mindfulness.

  2. Goddess Parvati’s Mantra (For Inner Strength and Patience):

    • Parvati, the divine mother, is a symbol of self-control and determination. Chanting her mantra brings resilience and helps in controlling erratic tendencies.
    • Mantra:
      "Om Hreem Shreem Kleem Parvatiyei Namah"
      This mantra invokes Parvati’s strength to overcome impulses and maintain patience.

  3. Lord Ganesha’s Mantra (For Overcoming Obstacles):

    • Ganesha is revered as the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom. He brings mental clarity and the ability to reflect before acting.
    • Mantra:
      "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah"
      Chant this before starting the day to remove impulsive tendencies and sharpen decision-making.

  4. Hanuman Mantra (For Discipline and Control over Senses):

    • Hanuman, a symbol of unwavering devotion and strength, also represents mastery over the mind and senses.
    • Mantra:
      "Om Hanumate Namah"
      This mantra enhances self-discipline and helps in channeling energies positively.

Stories and Inspirational Anecdotes from Hindu Scriptures

  1. Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita:

    • Arjuna faced inner conflict on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, torn by emotions and impulsive tendencies. Krishna’s guidance helped him understand the importance of performing duty (dharma) without succumbing to momentary impulses. Krishna’s teachings on self-control, action with awareness, and detachment are relevant to controlling impulsive behavior.

  2. The Story of Parvati’s Meditation:

    • Goddess Parvati, in her pursuit of Lord Shiva, underwent intense meditation (Tapasya) for years, controlling all desires and impulses. Her story teaches the power of patience, inner focus, and sustained effort in overcoming distractions and impulses.

  3. Lord Ganesha’s Wisdom:

    • When Ganesha circled his parents, Shiva and Parvati, as his “universe” during a competition with his brother Kartikeya, he demonstrated the power of thoughtfulness and wisdom over impulsive physical action. This story illustrates that thoughtful action based on inner wisdom is more powerful than reacting on impulse.

Helpful Quotes from Hindu Scriptures

  1. Bhagavad Gita 2.47:

    • "Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana"
      Meaning: “You have the right to perform your duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions.”
      • This verse teaches detachment from impulsive desires and encourages acting with awareness, free from the urge to expect immediate outcomes.

  2. Bhagavad Gita 6.5:

    • "Uddhared atmanatmanam, atmanam avasadayet"
      Meaning: "One must elevate, not degrade oneself, by one's own mind. The mind can be the friend or the enemy of the self."
      • This verse emphasizes that mind mastery is key to overcoming impulsivity.

Ideal Gods and Goddesses to Worship for Impulse Control

  1. Lord Krishna: Krishna’s wisdom in the Bhagavad Gita is unparalleled when it comes to understanding the mind and controlling emotions. Meditate on him for clarity and guidance in moments of indecision.

  2. Lord Hanuman: Worship Hanuman for cultivating physical and mental strength, discipline, and courage to control impulses. His absolute devotion and focus are inspiring examples.

  3. Goddess Parvati: Her tapasya (penance) and unwavering focus make her an ideal deity to worship for inner strength, self-discipline, and patience.

  4. Lord Ganesha: Ganesha’s wisdom and ability to remove obstacles make him the perfect deity for eliminating mental blocks that lead to impulsive behavior.

Lesser-Known Practices from Hinduism

  1. Pranayama (Breath Control):

    • Pranayama exercises like Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) and Bhramari (humming bee breath) calm the mind and bring balance to the nervous system, reducing impulsivity.

  2. Yogic Asanas for Impulse Control:

    • Balasana (Child’s Pose) and Vrikshasana (Tree Pose) help ground the mind, promoting balance, focus, and calmness. Regular yoga practice enhances self-control.

  3. Fasting (Upavasa):

    • Fasting is a traditional practice that helps in controlling desires and impulses. Even simple fasts, like skipping a meal or abstaining from certain foods, can strengthen willpower.


To overcome impulsive behavior, Hinduism encourages cultivating mindfulness, practicing discipline, and invoking the grace of divine energies. By incorporating meditation, mantra chanting, breath control, and scriptural wisdom into daily life, one can develop lasting self-control. Worshipping deities like Krishna, Hanuman, Parvati, and Ganesha aids in balancing impulsivity and fostering inner calm.

In short, developing inner discipline is a holistic process in Hinduism that involves strengthening the mind, cultivating awareness, and aligning one’s actions with higher principles.