Classical Tamil Literature and Mental Health
Exploring Therapeutic Parallels of CBT, DBT, and Neuroplasticity in Neelakesi
Keywords:
Mental Health, Neelakesi, Tamil Literary Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Carl Jung Shadow Theory, Trauma Recovery, Neuroplasticity, Self Transformation, Jain Literature, Culturally Adapted Psychotherapy, Ancient Tamil PsychologyAbstract
Our ancient Tamil literary works have vividly and intricately portrayed not only the external aspects of human existence but also the internal realm of mental well-being. References to human emotions, mental disturbances, and their remedies are found extensively throughout the literature, ranging from Sangam works to the great epics. In this context, *Neelakesi*—a 10th-century Jain philosophical treatise and one of the 'Five Minor Epics'—offers us vital lessons relevant to modern mental healthcare by depicting the psychological transformation and intellectual maturation of a woman named Neeli. This work is not merely a treatise on religious and philosophical debate; it stands as a treasure trove that elucidates the profound psychological facets of the human mind. Many modern approaches employed in contemporary psychiatry find practical illustration within this epic.