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Reading Sanskrit Improves Brain Functioning
by Brynne Sissom

The physiological effects of reading Sanskrit are
similar to those experienced during the Transcendental
Meditation® technique, according to research recently
completed by Dr. Fred Travis, director of the
ERG/psychophysiology lab of Maharishi University of
Management in Fairfield, Iowa, USA.

Dr. Travis asked his test subjects to read passages
from the Bhagavad-Gita in Sanskrit and in modern
foreign languages (Spanish, French, or German). In
each case they could pronounce the sounds but did not
know the meaning. He measured brain wave patterns
(ERG), heart and breath rate, and galvanic skin
resistance during two reading sessions and during a
15-minute session of the Transcendental Meditation
technique.

He found that while they read Sanskrit their
physiology was similar to those measured during the
Transcendental Meditation technique, but significantly
different from reading a modern language.

Their skin resistance steadily increased during
reading Sanskrit and during practice of the
Transcendental Meditation technique (showing greater
stability in their physiology) but remained the same
during the reading of a modern language.

Their ERG alpha power and coherence during reading
Sanskrit were also similar to that during the practice
of the Transcendental Meditation technique, and both
of these were higher than when the subjects read a
modern language.

Dr. Travis said that these findings support
Maharishi's predictions on the effects of reading
Sanskrit. Maharishi, in Vedic Knowledge for Everyone,
predicted that reading the Vedic Literature as it
flows and progresses in perfect sequential order has
the effect of regulating and balancing the functioning
of the brain physiology and training consciousness,
the mind, to always flow in perfect accordance with
the evolutionary direction of Natural Law.

Dr. Travis found the similarity of physiology during
reading Sanskrit and the Transcendental Meditation
technique is especially noteworthy because one reads
with his or her eyes open and engages in active
perceptual and cognitive processes, while the
Transcendental Meditation technique is done with one's
eyes closed and entails a reduction of mental
activity. This suggests that the state gained during
the practice of the Transcendental Meditation
technique may be integrated with active mental
processes by reading Sanskrit.

Dr. Travis said, "The Transcendental Meditation
technique takes the awareness to pure consciousness at
the source of thought. Seeing similar patterns of
physiology during reading Sanskrit as during the
Transcendental Meditation technique suggests that
reading Sanskrit enlivens pure consciousness at the
source of thought and integrates that state with
reading and speaking. In short, while practice of the
Transcendental Meditation technique locates pure
consciousness, leading to the state of Transcendental
Consciousness, reading Sanskrit integrates inner
silence with outer activity, helping to cultivate
enlightenment."

Hare Krishna