The origins of raga treatment Ragas in Hindustani and Carnatic music have a long history of providing medicinal benefits. Many years ago, the masters of Indian classical music asserted that ragas have a significant impact on people’s emotions by altering the resonance of the human body. It is known as Nada Yoga in the antiquated system. The vibrations that come from the music are channelled to raise one’s consciousness level. An old text called Raga Chikitsa, housed at Tanjore’s Saraswati Mahal Library and created by Raja Serfoji, is a treasure trove of ragas and explains how to use them to treat various physical and mental illnesses.
A raga, often referred to as swaras, is a collection of chosen notes. These notes, when combined in a particular way, impart a certain “mood” or feeling. They are categorised based on the main rasa or emotion they arouse and the best time of day for playing them.
The seven chakras (seven energy centres) in our body are supposed to be connected to specific sound frequencies. Every chakra has a certain hue and set of characteristics, just as every raga. According to legend, these ragas purify the chakras, assisting in the recovery of both physical and mental illnesses.
For instance, Malkauns/Hindolam, Abhogi, and Bhimpalasi help the Nabhi chakra, which oversees the stomach region and the solar plexus, to promote digestion and bring about a shift in attitudes and inner transformation. It is reported that Tansen, a famous composer from the Middle Ages, could bring down rain by playing the fiery Raag Deepak and ignite lamps by playing Raag Miyan Ki Malhar. In order to relieve Emperor Akbar’s evening stress, he even constructed Raag Darbari Kanada.
The impacts of specific instruments on the environment have been the subject of some surprising discoveries in scientific inquiry. Jagadish Chandra Bose asserted that the sound of the conch shell (shankha) blown in temples and during religious ceremonies penetrates and destroys disease-causing microorganisms when he studied the effect of the sound. According to some researchers, blowing the shankha is a cheap and efficient approach to heal physical symptoms as well as help with issues including hysteria, epilepsy, and leprosy.
Here is a list of a few Ragas and their effects on the human mind and body.
- Raga Pooriya Dhansari (Hamsanandi-Kamavardini ) – evokes sweet, deep, heavy, cloudy and stable state of mind and prevents acidity..
- Raga Bageshri – arouses a feeling of darkness, stability, depths and calmness. This raga is also used in treatment of diabetes and hypertension.
- Raga Darbari (Darbari Kanada) – is considered very effective in easing tension. It is a late night raga composed by Tansen for Akbar to relieve his tension after hectic schedule of the daily court life.
- Raga Todi – give treamendous relief to patients of high blood pressure.
- Raga Ahir-Bhairav (Chakravakam) – is supposed to sustain chords which automatically brings down blood pressure.
- Raga Malkauns – helps to cure low blood pressure.
- Raga Bhairavi – Provides relief T.B, Cancer, Severe Cold, Phlegm, Sinus, toothache.
- Raga Malhar – Useful in the treatment of asthma and sunstroke.
- Raga Todi– Provides relief from cold and headache.
- Raga Hindol & Marava – These ragas are useful in blood purification.
Avahan, with the help of renowned classical singers, has created music that takes one to their spiritual path, working at all the levels, providing healing, peace and happiness.
