MUSIC CURES DISEASES, IMPROVES HEALTH

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.

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