You Keep Asking, “What's Wrong With Me?” (Krishna Knew This Centuries Ago)
Times Life May 04, 2025 06:39 PM
"अज्ञानमृतमश्रितं स आत्मन्,
योऽनवस्थं गच्छति, कृतं कर्म।
निर्विकारं निर्विशेषं पश्येत्।"

(Bhagavad Gita 4.7)
"When ignorance consumes the soul, it is trapped in cycles of doubt and confusion. Only when wisdom illuminates the path does one transcend such suffering."

There are moments in life when the world around us feels distant, like a fog obscuring our path. In those moments of quiet, the mind begins to ask, “What’s wrong with me?” This question arises from a deep sense of disconnection — when we feel adrift, uncertain of our place in the vast expanse of existence.

But here's the timeless truth: This question is not new. It has echoed through the corridors of time, asked by countless souls before us. Lord Krishna, in the Bhagavad Gita, heard this very doubt in Arjuna’s heart and responded with wisdom that transcends time. Krishna’s teachings reveal the root of our inner turmoil and offer a way to reconnect — not with the world, but with our deepest, truest self. 1. The Root Cause of Disconnection: Ignorance (Avidya) Krishna tells us that ignorance — of our true nature — is the root cause of the suffering we feel. We get caught in the confusion of our mind, unaware of who we really are beyond the roles and responsibilities we assume. This disconnect, this feeling that something is wrong, stems from not recognizing our higher self.

Krishna teaches in Gita 4.7:
"अज्ञानमृतमश्रितं स आत्मन्,
योऽनवस्थं गच्छति, कृतं कर्म।
निर्विकारं निर्विशेषं पश्येत्।"

(Bhagavad Gita 4.7)
"When ignorance consumes the soul, it is trapped in cycles of doubt and confusion. Only when wisdom illuminates the path does one transcend such suffering."

This ignorance keeps us questioning ourselves — “What’s wrong with me?” — because we fail to realize that we are not our external identity. When we awaken to our true nature, we can break free from this cycle of confusion. 2. Finding Your Purpose: Align With Dharma Many times, that nagging feeling of something being wrong stems from a lack of purpose. We search for fulfillment in external achievements, yet nothing seems to satisfy. Krishna teaches that our dharma — or the path of righteous duty — is essential for inner peace. When we stray from our dharma, we feel lost.

Krishna guides us in Gita 3.35:
"स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः, परधर्मो भयावहः।"
(Bhagavad Gita 3.35)
"Better is one's own duty, though imperfectly performed, than the duty of another well performed."

If you are feeling disconnected, it may be because you’re not living in alignment with your authentic purpose. Krishna shows us that when we follow our own path — even if it’s imperfect — we experience peace and a sense of meaning. 3. Letting Go of the Ego: Freedom From Attachment A significant reason we feel something is wrong is our constant attachment to the ego. The ego thrives on external validation and the need to control everything around us. When we cling to results, outcomes, or comparisons, we invite anxiety and dissatisfaction.

Krishna tells us in Gita 18.11:
"न हि देहभृता शक्यं त्यक्तुं कर्माण्यशेषतः।
यस्तु कर्मफलत्यागी स त्यागीत्यभिधीयते॥"

(Bhagavad Gita 18.11)
"A person who is in the body cannot renounce all action completely, but one who renounces the fruits of action is said to have truly renounced."

The moment we stop clinging to outcomes, we break free from the ego’s grasp. Krishna asks us to act without attachment — to perform our duties with detachment from the results. This is how we find peace and no longer feel like something is wrong with us. 4. Act Without Attachment: Focus on the Process Krishna urges us to shift our focus from the outcome of our actions to the process itself. This is crucial because attachment to results often leads to frustration, while performing an action for its own sake brings us peace.

In Gita 2.47, Krishna says:
"कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥"

(Bhagavad Gita 2.47)
"You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions."

The key to overcoming the feeling of being lost or stuck is to focus on doing your best without worrying about the outcome. When you shift your mindset, you become free from the need for approval or success, and you reconnect with your inner peace. 5. Discipline of the Mind: Master Your Thoughts A restless, undisciplined mind is one of the biggest obstacles to inner peace. When your mind is constantly distracted, full of doubts and fears, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Krishna tells us that self-discipline and control over the mind are the ways to silence the noise and reconnect with your true essence.

Krishna advises in Gita 6.5:
"उद्धरेदात्मनात्मनं नात्मनमवसादयेत्।
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः॥"

(Bhagavad Gita 6.5)
"One must elevate, not degrade, oneself through the power of the self."

By mastering your mind, you gain the ability to focus on what truly matters. This discipline is what helps you overcome the question, “What’s wrong with me?” It’s a reminder that your mind is a tool — either to be used wisely or to create inner turmoil. 6. Surrender to the Divine: Trust the Process Finally, Krishna teaches the powerful act of surrender. When we feel something is wrong, it often means we are struggling to control things beyond our grasp. Krishna invites us to surrender the ego, trust the process, and allow divine guidance to lead us.

Krishna assures in Gita 18.66:
"सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मां एकं शरणं व्रज।
अहं त्वाम् सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः॥"

(Bhagavad Gita 18.66)
"Abandon all varieties of dharma and just surrender unto me. I will deliver you from all sinful reactions; do not fear."

Surrendering isn’t about giving up — it’s about relinquishing control and trusting that there is a divine plan unfolding. When you let go and trust the process, peace follows naturally. The Answer Lies Within So, what’s wrong with you? Krishna’s timeless wisdom offers the answer. It’s not that something is wrong with you; it’s that you’ve become disconnected from your true self. The feeling of being lost, confused, or incomplete arises from ignorance, attachment, and a lack of purpose.

Krishna’s teachings show us how to reconnect with our authentic self through self-awareness, detachment, and living in alignment with our purpose. Once we release the grip of the ego, the need for control, and the fear of failure, we find the peace we’re seeking.

The next time you ask, “What’s wrong with me?”, remember: the answer has always been within you.
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