Hinduism

Reading Sanskrit Improves Brain Functioning

The MUM Review, 6.Feb. 2002, by Brynne Sissom

The physiological effects of reading Sanskrit are similar to those
experienced during the Transcendental Meditation(r) 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."