In this Verse Arjuna is confronted with the idea of fighting against his own kin and loved ones. The verse describes how Arjuna can see both his own side and the opposing side, containing all his loved ones including fathers, grandfathers, teachers, uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, friends, fathers-in-law, and well-wishers.

The verse starts with visualizing one’s own side, which is an important technique in psychology known as “mental contrasting”. This technique involves identifying one’s own internal barriers to achieving a goal or engaging in a particular behavior, and then visualizing the obstacles that might get in the way. This helps in developing strategic thinking and planning, which can then be used to overcome any challenges or barriers to success.

Mental contrasting is a technique used in modern psychology to help individuals achieve their goals by combining positive thinking with realistic planning. It involves a two-step process where individuals visualize their desired outcome and then contrast it with potential obstacles that might prevent them from achieving that outcome. By doing so, it helps to create a realistic plan for achieving their goals while also acknowledging potential barriers. Mental contrasting has been found to increase motivation, reduce procrastination, and improve overall goal attainment. This technique can be used in a variety of settings, including personal life, education, and business. Mental contrasting is a useful tool for individuals who are seeking to create positive changes in their lives by setting and achieving meaningful goals.  The technique involves 4 components’:

1. Identifying the desired outcome is a fundamental concept in modern human psychology that involves defining and clarifying the goals, objectives, or results that individuals want to achieve. The process of identifying the desired outcome involves taking time to reflect on what one wants, focusing attention on specific objectives, and envisioning a clear picture of what success looks like. This concept plays a crucial role in human psychology because it helps individuals to set objectives, establish priorities, and take actionable steps towards their goals. By identifying the desired outcome, individuals can strengthen their decision-making processes, enhance their motivation levels, and gain a sense of control over their lives. Moreover, identifying the desired outcome allows individuals to stay focused on what is important and avoid distractions, which ultimately leads to greater levels of success, happiness, and fulfillment.
2. Visualizing the desired outcome is an effective technique used to train the mind to focus on achieving specific goals. The science of modern human psychology suggests that the power of visualization lies in its ability to activate the brain’s motivational and cognitive processes, which in turn helps to create a psychological state of readiness to achieve the envisioned goal. The brain is capable of creating realistic and compelling images of future events, and when we engage in visualization exercises, the brain believes that we have already achieved the goals we envision. This can lead to an increase in confidence, motivation, and a sense of control over our thoughts and actions. By visualizing the desired outcome, we can set our intentions and cultivate a positive mindset that can help us overcome obstacles and work towards achieving our goals. 
3. Identifying obstacles that may prevent the attainment of a desired outcome involves recognizing the potential challenges or roadblocks that could hinder one’s progress towards achieving their goals. This process requires an individual to reflect on their deeply-held values, motivations, and aspirations and evaluate the external factors that could potentially impact their ability to achieve these objectives. By anticipating potential difficulties or setbacks in advance, individuals can develop strategies to navigate hurdles and overcome obstacles, ultimately increasing their likelihood of success. Identifying and addressing obstacles is an essential component of effective goal-setting, as it empowers individuals to take proactive steps to remove barriers and create an achievable path towards realizing their desired outcome.,
4. Identifying solutions to overcome obstacles is a critical aspect of problem-solving that is an essential skill in modern human psychology. The meaning of identifying solutions to overcome obstacles is that one recognizes the barriers or challenges that are blocking their progress towards a goal and find practical and effective ways to overcome them. This process requires one to assess the current situation and determine what methods will be most effective in addressing the issue. It may involve brainstorming, analyzing possible outcomes, and considering all possible alternatives. Effective problem-solving skills are critical for personal and professional development that helps an individual to overcome adversity, adapt to difficult situations, and grow as a resilient person. Identifying solutions to overcome obstacles requires creativity, critical thinking, and the ability to adapt to change, enabling one to handle even the most challenging challenges in life successfully.

Research has suggested that mental contrasting can be an effective tool in promoting behavior change, particularly in the areas of health, education, and personal development. This technique has been found to be effective in promoting goal pursuit, and reducing procrastination. Mental contrasting can be useful for individuals seeking to make positive changes in their lives by building motivation, identifying potential obstacles, and finding effective ways to overcome them.

Furthermore, the verse describes how Arjuna sees his loved ones on both sides, which can be related to the psychological concept of “cognitive dissonance”.  

 Cognitive dissonance is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when a person holds conflicting beliefs, attitudes, or values, or when their behavior conflicts with their beliefs or attitudes. This state of cognitive discomfort or dissonance arises when a person recognizes inconsistencies in their thoughts or actions, creating a mental tension that the individual seeks to resolve. People often attempt to reduce cognitive dissonance by changing their beliefs or behaviors to make them consistent with one another, or by justifying their actions or beliefs in some way. For instance, if an individual believes that smoking is harmful, but still smokes cigarettes regularly, they may experience cognitive dissonance, which can lead to attitudes change or attempts to justify their behavior. Cognitive dissonance is often regarded as a crucial aspect of how individuals form their beliefs, values, and attitudes, as it enables them to revise their thoughts and actions in response to new information or experiences.

Arjuna is conflicted about fighting his own family, friends, and teachers, which can cause emotional distress and mental discomfort.

The mention of fathers, grandfathers, and teachers specifically highlights the importance of authority figures in our lives. These individuals play important roles in shaping our beliefs and values, and when faced with conflicting ideas or values, it can create a sense of confusion and cognitive dissonance.

Finally, the mention of sons, grandsons, and friends emphasizes the “natural human tendency to form strong interpersonal connections”.

Modern human psychology recognizes that the natural human tendency to form strong interpersonal connections arises from our basic human need for social support, security, and sense of belongingness. The ability to build and maintain relationships is fundamental to human survival and well-being. Research has shown that people who have strong connections with others tend to have lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, better physical health outcomes, and higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. In fact, social isolation and loneliness have been identified as significant risk factors for a range of psychological and health problems. Evolutionary psychology suggests that our tendency to form strong interpersonal connections has evolved as a means of promoting survival and reproductive success, as it increases our chances of receiving help and support from others, protecting ourselves against threats, and passing on our genes to future generations.

The Bhagavad-Gita is a sacred text that has been studied and revered for thousands of years. The Purport of Verse 26 by Srila Prabhupada, offers insight into the human psyche. One of the most striking points is that Arjuna, the protagonist of the story, is on a battlefield where he can observe all kinds of relatives, friends, and acquaintances. This situation is unique, as most people do not get to experience such a devastating event that further highlights the cyclical nature of life and death. Arjuna’s state of mind following this experience is a significant theme throughout the text, and understanding the psychological processes that underlie his behavior and actions provides valuable insight into human psychology.

The second point highlighted in Srila Prabhupada’s Purport, relates to the variety of people that Arjuna was able to observe on the battlefield. These individuals ranged from close family members, such as his brother, to people he respected, such as his teachers. This variety of people on the battlefield provides insight into the different social groups that exist in society. While some social groups may be more aligned with an individual’s personal values and morals, others may require different behavior or actions.

The third point to consider is that Arjuna was exposed to people that were both his friends and enemies. This exposure shows that nuances are everywhere in social groups and how they form. Understanding how different social groups form helps individuals create a better understanding regarding their social environment, which in turn prepares them to have appropriate expectations and behaviors.

It is essential to note that some of these social groups may overlap and clash with one another. When that occurs, individuals must tread cautiously, and avoid taking sides or breeding conflicts in their lives. In summary, the Purport highlights several critical elements of human psychology that still hold relevance even nowadays. Individuals should continue to study the rich tradition and knowledge contained within the Bhagavad-Gita to enrich their understanding of the world around them.

Overall, Verse 26 of the Bhagavad-Gita raises important psychological concepts such as mental contrasting, cognitive dissonance, the influence of authority figures, and the importance of interpersonal connections. These psychological concepts can help us better understand the complexities of human behavior and emotions in the face of challenging situations, such as those faced by Arjuna in this verse.