RAGA CURE: The Role of Raga to Cure Many Diseases
The Therapeutic Treatment, by Raga Music, is a scientific method of effective cure of diseases, which helps to restore, maintain and improve the emotional, psychological and physiological state. The articulation, pitch, tone and specific arrangement of Swaras (Notes) of a particular Raga (melody) stimulate, alleviate and cure various ailments. It is important to note that to get an ultimate good result, on the above-said matter, it is necessary to maintain some principles or techniques. Otherwise only listening or practice of Raga Music may not be a process of much benefit.
As we know that there exists a necessity of Chemistry, to make a specific Drug, so as it is necessary to know the specific formula of Raga Music, to be properly benefited from it. Raga has a definite soothing effect on the mind as well as on the body. Repeated listening to a particular Raga, being chosen, for a particular disease, produces a network of sound vibration.
The muscles & nerves of the affected part are contracted, when one impulse is given and relaxed during the interval between two impulses. Thus, during contraction of the tissue, musical notes make the blood flow out from that particular area and in the interval there is a relaxation and a state of reduced pressure is produced, in these areas. Thus the blood from the adjacent area will flow there. If this process is repeated again and again, the blood-flow and energy-flow, in that part, are enhanced.
Here it is important to note that Music-beats have a very close relationship with the Heart-beats. Music, having 70-75 beats per minute, equivalent to the normal Heart-beat of 72, has a very soothing effect on human body & mind. Moreover, Rhythm which is slower than 72 beats per minute, creates a positive suspense on the mind and body, since the mind & body complex anticipates that the music will speed up and this restored vital energy gives a deep relaxation to the body. Rhythms, which are faster than the Heart-beat rate, bring excitement to the body. In such a way, each or every Raga depicts its own mood. An appropriate mood is to be evoked in the Listener’s mind, before initiating the Musical Treatment.
Moreover, there are several historical examples of the immense remedial power of the Classical Ragas. For instance, in 1933, when the Italian dictator Mussolini was terribly suffering from Insomnia, no medicine or therapeutic mode could help him get asleep. Pt. Omkarnath Thakur, the Great Hindustani Vocalist was visiting Europe, around that time. When he heard of Mussolini’s physical position, he agreed to perform, remedial musical program, to allay the suffering. His performance of Raga ‘Puriya’ indeed worked magically and Mussolini went into deep sleep, within half an hour. Moreover, a number of similar incidents attracted the attention of many contemporary Musicians, Scientists, Physicians and Scholars to research on the flavor of Raga Music.
A group of London-based Physicians has scientifically experimented on different aspects of Music Therapy. As per their views, the Classical Ragas could induce healing of all kinds of ailments. They argue that the immediate benefit of these Ragas offer mental peace by alleviating tensions and providing an enchanting and creative diversion to the human mind. This is how Hindustani Raga Music generates new hope, joy and enthusiasm, in the dull or depressed mind, removes the disorders and relieves one of the untoward pressures and excitements of inferiority, despair, fear, anger, etc. So Classical Ragas are being used or advised today for the treatment as Nature Therapy.
The Great Scientist, Dr. Hans Jenny described “Our world is permeated throughout by waves and vibrations. When we hear, it is waves which pass through the air and strike our ears. When we speak about electromagnetic waves, we all know about light waves. The Sound wave of Hindustani Raga music creates a systematic vibration in the centre of consciousness and our body gets a sound therapeutic soothing effect. In connection with the above said event, Dr. Singh’s [Indian Doctor] Research, the Swaras’ Vibrations influence different parts of the brain (e.g. the reticular formation) which eliminates anxiety & promotes a calm state of mind. In the same way, the Hypothalamus & the Pituitary Gland are stimulated which are situated in the middle of the Brain and are responsible for the control of the Autonomous Nervous System and the Hormone System, in the human body. Dr. Singh examined [in 1993, Monghyr Hospital, Bihar] on several patients with this Swara Practice, 1/2 times a day, for few minutes. The result showed that those people became less worried & less stressed.
Thus we may say, when one get disturbed, if the person listen perfect Raga Musical Vibration, then one may easily recharge the spirit and gain a peace and great relaxation. The utility of our Great Raga Music & its above-mentioned scientific & detailed analysis is the most essential factor, to understand the importance of its sound events. Among the Ten Bhaba-Rasas, here, the main three Bhaba-Rasas are the Shanta Rasa, Karuna Rasa & Shringer Rasa. As per Time Theory & Mood i.e. Bhaba-Rasa Concept, the action takes place. To explain, it may be said that the Vastu-Rupa [Material Concept], with its related characteristics plays with its Tune or Mood & influences our mind, nerves, veins etc. Body & mind can easily absorb the effect of Raga. Modern Research shows that the Listening & Practicing of various Rasa-based Ragas [Mainly Shanta, Karuna & Shringer Rasas] may help to cure a number of diseases, as following:
1] The Ragas based on Shanta Rasa may cure the diseases like Insomnia, Rheumatic Arthritis, Anorexia, Gall Stones (Cholecystis), Cough, Asthma, Rheumatic Arthritis, Headache, Common Cold & Cough, Spondilosis, Backache Hypertension. They also help in sharpening the Memory and enhancing the Mental Concentration. The Shanta Rasa-based Ragas have been proved to be effective, in curing Liver ailments. It was also experimented that they give tremendous relief to patients of High Blood Pressure, Indigestion, Hyper-acidity, Headache, Colitis, Anemia. Those Ragas have the wonderful effects & are closely related to the nature of the different parts of the Day, [according to changes in nature] and development of a particular cool sentiment, in the human mind. Those Ragas have a very pleasing, refreshing, light and sweet touchy effect.
2] The Ragas, based on Karuna Rasa like Ashavari & Todi Ragas, may cure the diseases as following: They may help to be recovered from Sadness & gives a Mental Satisfaction [Prashanti]. The Ragas of Karuna Rasa help to cure Low Blood Pressure, Anxiety, Tension etc. They are effective in eliminating the Impurities of Blood and related diseases. They help to enhance Confidence, Sedative, Headache, Asthma. It has also been found to be effective, in curing Mental Disorders and Calming the Mind. It has been considered, to be very effective, in easing Tension. It is said that a Late Night Raga, was composed by Tansen, for Akbar the Great, to relieve his tension after hectic schedule of the daily court life.
3] The Ragas, based on Shringer Rasa like Khamaz, Kafi, Bhairavi, Purbi & their related Ragas may cure the diseases, as following:
They create a situation of Mental Happiness, in mind. They help to cure Sleep Disorders [Sleeplessness], give Mental & Physical Relaxation and help to easing Tension. The patients, suffering from Insomnia, need a peaceful Sonorous Sleep & the Ragas of Shringer Rasa help to achieving it. It has also been found to be effective, in curing Mental Disorders and Calming the Mind, Rheumatic Arthritis, Diarrhea, Headache. It evokes a Humid, Cool, Soothing and Deep Mood. Different times of the Day, according to changes in nature and development of a particular emotion, mood or sentiment, in the human mind, arouses a feeling of Darkness, Stability, Calmness, Depth and pacifies Anger, removes excessive Mental Excitements, Mental Instability & Depression.
It has also been found to uproot the diseases like Asthma, Chronic Cold, Cough, Tuberculosis, some of the Sinuses and Chest-related problems etc. The Shringer Rasa-based Ragas help to cure Low Blood Pressure Heart ailments, Intestinal Gas problem, evokes Sweet, Deep, Heavy, Cloudy and Stable State of Mind, Anemia, Anorexia etc.The idea of Traditional Music, as a healing influence that can affect health and behavior, is as least as old as the writings of Aristotle and Plato.
The 20th century discipline began after World War I and World War II, when Community Musicians of all types, both amateur and professional, went to veterans’ hospitals, around the country, to play for the thousands of veterans, suffering both physical and emotional Trauma, from the wars. The patients’ physical and emotional improvements in response to Music led the doctors and nurses, to request that hospitals hire Musicians.
It is important to note that the Author [of this Research] himself demonstrated several Raga concert, as per Time Theory, in a world wide range. In 1999 he had visited many Veterans’ Hospitals in Sweden, Switzerland and Holland and sang various Ragas for the very old and depressed people, who were not in a sound physical condition and incapable to be sited [somehow sat on wheel chairs] at a stretch, for an hour-long concert. As a result of singing of Ragas like Ahir-Bhairava, Bhimpalasi, Bhairavi, Basant & few devotional Bhajans; they were highly enchanted and exposed their very positive enthralled attitude and enjoyed the thrilling moments & which expressed to the author. In case of Children, illness and hospitalizations disrupt normal living patterns, school and important social activities etc.
Therapeutic use of Raga may help to reduce this disruption, by providing sensitive & creative interventions. These interventions also offer to the acute and chronically-ill children, the chance to learn, express, relax and enjoy themselves. Author has also a rare experience, in this regard, to demonstrating Hindustani Raga Music, in several Schools in Sweden, where the little students remained steady & silent and happily enjoyed an Hour-long consort of Bhairavi Raga and Tarana. In all cases, Guardians and Principals of Schools had exposed their gratitude to the Author and astonished to observe the impact of Raga Concert, on those freckle-minded kids, who were silently, enjoyed the beautiful soothing Raga Music. Like this way, several Indian Students or common people have been getting good results, in their daily life, by the impact of Raga practice & listening.
The students, who are regularly practicing Hindustani Raga Music, feel healthy in mind. Moreover they are making promising results, in their studies, other than the common students; who are not, at all, related to the musical atmosphere. In case of common people, they also feel happy, in their daily life. The house-wives or retired persons also came to the Author to learn the Yoga-based Raga technique & become mentally happy, in the same way. Those are the practical experiments or experiences, of the impact of Raga practice & listening among the persons of various ages, various professions, the students of various ages & the common persons of the author’s personal circle [in India & abroad].Indian Raga Music has its multifarious utility &‘3 M benefits through the Raga Practice & Listening as following— i) Mental Benefit ii) Material Benefit iii) Medicinal Benefit. The Cultural Heritage of India has been claiming, the Divine Traditional Music [Hindustani Classical], to be the most effective & quick media, to uplift the Human mind & soul, humanity, godly qualities of toleration & nonviolence & finally to attain the union of ‘Jivatma’ & ‘Paramatma’.