Reading Sanskrit Improves Brain Functioning



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

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Comments

  • There was a study done on the effects of music also. Srila Prabhupada's chanting of sanskrit songs was found to vibrate on a very high, transcendental level of consciousness. Rock music showed the lowest level of energy.

    Chanting Sanskrit takes one to the pure state of consciousness. I'm convinced.

  • The fact is : you don't need to be very technical or understand exactly how it works, but if you are a very intellectual Jiva, you can find plenty of information in the vedas to arrive to the same conclusion , as an example, just dial a phone number and you are there, by pronouncing Sanskrit sounds even without knowing the meaning your are catapulted to the transcendental realm . What to speak when you read with feeling Hari, Vyasa, Ram, Govinda !! .

    Just try it with respect and watch for the bliss to come

    my own experience

    Om Shree Narayana

    Chaitanya S. das
  • Reading Sanskrit Improves Brain Functioning.
    This author says, I don't know about reading sanskrit because I have never had any books that may have been published in sanskrit but trancedental meditation sends me flowing through the air like a soaring eagle or something of the kind. Reading Hare Krishna books by Srila Prabhupada makes me very sleepy and although I may put the book down to rest,
    after some shut eye for ten or fifteen minutes I want to continue the reading until I finish the
    whole book right through to the end. I like reading Hare Krishna books and do buy them when they turn up in town but that is very rare. Just the same, I love the Lord and will never
    depart to be taken up by some demigod who wants to harm everybody. Keep my soul pure
    by meditation, Hare Krishna from Miron, 26/9/2008.
  • very gud information , will help in people knowing about our culture and watever v performed had some meaning behind it .....

    thank you for sending
    keep this job
  • We are convinced.

    Jaya Srila Prabhupada!
  • thank you pr ji..
    please tell something about harinaam.

    hari hari...
  • Many thanks for sharing this valuable message.

    Hare Krishana
  • Interesting research and article !! Thank you.. Hare Bol !
  • Hare Krishna,

    A very good piece. Thanks for posting it.

    Hare Krishna,
    Cintamani Sakhi Devi Dasi
This reply was deleted.