The Medical Benefits of Ragas
Music can play an effective role in helping us lead better, fruitful lives. Listening to specific kinds of music at specific times of the day has been shown to be helpful in maintaining good health. Indian music, with its many Ragas, is known to be particularly therapeutic value. The curative power of music emanates from the resonance of certain ragas on hormonal and glandular functions which produce secretions that keep the body balanced and infection-free.
A Raga is a sequence of selected notes (swaras) that lend appropriate ‘mood’ or emotion in a selective combination. It’s a yoga system through the medium of sonorous sounds. Depending on its nature, a raga could induce or intensify joy or sorrow, violence or peace, and it is this quality that forms the basis for the musical application.
Thus, a whole range of emotions and their nuances could be captured and communicated within certain melodies. Playing, performing and even listening to appropriate ragas can work as a medicine. To be rendered effective, Ragas are used in a combination with Ayurveda, the ancient science of Vedic healing. A Raga must be played or sung to a patient keeping in mind his/her physical nature of Vata, Pitta or Kapha. The time assigned to the Raga during the day or night is also important. Moreover, it is to be seen whether the time of the day or night is naturally suited to Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Here are the therapeutic qualities of Ragas:
1. Raga Pooriya Dhansari (Hamsanandi-Kamavardini) – evokes a sweet, deep, heavy, cloudy and stable state of mind and prevents acidity.
2. Raga Bageshri – arouses a feeling of darkness, stability, depths and calmness. This raga is also used in the treatment of diabetes and hypertension.
3. 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 a hectic schedule of the daily court life.
4. Raga Todi – give tremendous relief to patients with high blood pressure. Provides relief from cold and headache.
5. Raga Ahir-Bhairav (Chakravakam) – is supposed to sustain chords that automatically brings down blood pressure.
6. Raga Malkauns – helps to cure low blood pressure.
7. Raga Bhairavi – Provides relief T.B, Cancer, Severe Cold, Phlegm, Sinus, toothache.
8. Raga Malhar – Useful in the treatment of asthma and sunstroke.
9. Raga Hindol and Marava – These ragas are useful in blood purification.
2. Raga Bageshri – arouses a feeling of darkness, stability, depths and calmness. This raga is also used in the treatment of diabetes and hypertension.
3. 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 a hectic schedule of the daily court life.
4. Raga Todi – give tremendous relief to patients with high blood pressure. Provides relief from cold and headache.
5. Raga Ahir-Bhairav (Chakravakam) – is supposed to sustain chords that automatically brings down blood pressure.
6. Raga Malkauns – helps to cure low blood pressure.
7. Raga Bhairavi – Provides relief T.B, Cancer, Severe Cold, Phlegm, Sinus, toothache.
8. Raga Malhar – Useful in the treatment of asthma and sunstroke.
9. Raga Hindol and Marava – These ragas are useful in blood purification.
Ragas And Their benefits
Let us look at the health benefits of chanting various ragas.
| CARNATIC RAGAS | BENEFITS |
| Ahir Bhairav | Gives a free relaxed feeling and mitigates dust allergies and skin disease. Good for arthritic conditions |
| Amrutavarshini | Ushana vyathi nasini (alleviates diseases related to heat) |
| Ananda Bhairavi | Suppresses stomach pain in both men and women. Reduces kidney type problems. Controls blood pressure |
| Baghesri | Helps in attaining Guru’s grace |
| Bhairavi | Reduces anxiety, pressures, skin, disease, allergies |
| Bhupala | To awaken someone out of deep sleep |
| Charukesi Bhajan: Shantirastu Pushtirastu | 26th raga in the melakarta scale (parent) of the south Indian classical music. Rejuvenates the mind helping one to age gracefully. It enlivens the singer and listener. |
| Desh | The suppression of the senses releases a negative force. The process of sublimation needs a spiritual path. Rag Desh can provide that. Its energy gives the listener serenity, peace, inner joy, right valour, universal love and patriotism |
| Dwijavanti | Quells paralysis and disorders of the mind |
| Ganamurte | Helpful in diabetes |
| Hansadhwani | Energy giving. Provides good thinking, a panacea for diseases |
| Hemavati Bhajan: Sambho Samba | Good for joint and back pain |
| Kindolam | Improves digestive power. Cures stomach related diseases. |
| Kalyani Bhajan: Jai Jai Ganapathi | Gives energy, removes tension and acts as a general tonic. Dispels the darkness of fear; Gives motherly comfort and increases confidence. Kalyani means mangalam. Recited with faith and devotion, it is believed to clinch marriage alliances. Many authentic reports exist about the raga’s power to destroy fear in many forms: fear of poverty, of love, of power, of ill-health, of death, and so on. |
| Kapi | Sick patients get over their depression, anxiety. Reduces absent-mindedness |
| Karaharapriya | Curative for heart disease and nervous irritability, neurosis, worry and distress. |
| Kedaram | Gives energy and removes tension |
| Keervani | Promotes dhyana (meditation) at mental and physical levels |
| Kokilam | Helps to prevent stone formation, burning sensations, sleeplessness and anxiety. |
| Madhuvarshini | Good for nerves. Cures diseases like slight headache, sleeplessness, and sinus problems. |
| Madhyamavati | Clears paralysis, giddiness, pain in legs/hands, etc. and nervous complaints |
| Malaya Maruta | To awaken someone out of deep sleep |
| Maya Malava Gowla | Counters pollution. It can be called the Gateway to Carnatic music. The history of Carnatic music says that the blessed musician, Purandaradasar, introduced the system of |
| Bhajan: Inner Self | Mayamalava gowla. This raga has the power to neutralize toxins in the body. Practising it in the early hours of the morning, in the midst of nature will enhance the strength of the vocal chords. |
| Mohana Bhajan: Ishapathisha | Mohana is present where beauty and love coexist. It filters out the ill-effects of kama (desire for sex), krodha (anger) and moha (lust), bestowing immense benefits on the listener. Also said to cure chronic headaches, indigestion, and depression. |
| Neelambari | To get rid of insomnia |
| Ranjani | Cures kidney disease |
| Rathipathipriya | Adds strength and vigour to a happy wedded life. This 5-Swara raga has the power to eliminate poverty. The application of the swaras can wipe off the vibrations of bitter feelings emitted by ill will |
| Rohini | Cures back pain, joint pain, etc. |
| Sama | Makes the mind sober, tranquil, induces good sleep. Good for world peace. |
| Saramati Bhajan: Concert in Berlin | Elevates from the depressed state. Cures balagraha dosham in children ( undiagnosed crying and imitability). For sleeplessness, itching, eye and ear problems, skin problems, and the problems of hearing irregular sounds |
| Sindu Bhairavi | Removes sins and sorrows and saves from unforeseen events |
| Sivaranjani | Powerful raga for meditation; bestows benevolence of God. Removes sadness, ushana roga santi (diseases related to excess heat). Good for general health |
| Sandhya Kalyani | Cures ear, nose and eye diseases. Relieves chronic clods. Gives good sleep and freshness |
| Shankarabharanam | The power of this raga is incredible. It cures mental illness, soothes the turbulent mind and restores peace and harmony. If rendered with total devotion for a stipulated period, it can cure mental disorders said to be beyond the scope of medical treatment. It also is said to have the power to shower wealth. |
| Shanmugapriya | Sharpens the intellect of the singer as well as the listener. Instils courage in one’s mind and replenishes the energy in the body. |
| Subhapantuvarali | Alleviates mental dilemmas and indecisiveness |
| Suddha dhanyasi | Remover of sorrows. Gives a happy feeling. Tonic for nerves. Cures rhinitis and migraine. |
| Suruti | Mitigates stomach burn, insomnia, fear, disgust |
| Vakulabharanam | Alleviates asthma, bronchitis, heart disease, depression, skin disease and skin allergy |
| Varali Bhajan: Nakam Vinayakam | Varali is good for vayu tattva, heart, skin ailments and gastric problems. |
| Vasanta / Vasanti | Controls high and low blood pressure cures heart as well as nervous diseases. Can dear the fog of confusion when a series of medical tests has to be analysed. It heals nervous breakdowns. |
| Vasantham | Cures paralysis |
| Viswambari | General tonic acts quickly |
| Yamuna Kalyani | Gives freshness and dynamism |
