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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." 


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