The MUM Review

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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® 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."