Does the recitation of God’s name improve heart function?
Spirituality is the Centre point of Indians, it originates from an immense trust of families in gods/goddesses, and traditionally Indians have enormous faith and incredible belief in god. Pune based cardiac surgeon and a geo-pathologist have claimed through their study that, chanting God’s name with single-minded devotion and dedication keeps a person’s heart-healthy. Looks surprising for modern medicine which demands a piece of evidence. While the research aims to integrate science and spirituality, investigators found that recitation of god’s name can benefit the ‘Heart’.
The research was conducted by Dr. Avinash Inamdar, former head of cardiac surgery department at Pune’s Sassoon General Hospital and Geo-pathologist Pandit Pramod Joshi. The duo monitored heart functions of 30 individuals and energy levels of their heart ‘chakra’.
HOW recitation of ‘Vitthal’ works:
There are two main parts of the Sanskrit languages. Swara (notes) and Vyanjana (Voices and expressions). Swara (Notes) are independent and not dependent on another varna (alphabets) for their utterance. They can be classified as homogeneous and heterogeneous and also according to their location in the mouth. Likewise, from the point of pronunciation in speech Vyanjana (Expressions) are dependent on Swara. Vyanjana (Expressions) are also categorized as Alpapran (thrown with little air)-Mahapran (thrown with more air) – When little air is thrown out of the mouth while speaking the vyanjana’s, these are known as Alpaprana. With respect to the above theory, va and la are soft vyanjana. Tha (ठ) is hard vyanjan (Kathor Vyanjan). Therefore, the word Vitthal ( व ठल) has two mahapran words among two alpaprana words. Interestingly such combination does not exist is the claim of researchers. However, the fact is ‘Vitthal’ is the only divine word which has such a combination.
‘Vitthal’ recitation is done for 8-10 mins in the morning and evening with single-minded devotion the divine energy flows to the heart and the heart function improves is the claim of researchers. The recitation with faith offers a soothing effect to the body, regulates blood circulation, reduces hypertension. These factors bring calmness, harmony between mind and body likely to improve heart function.
The team documented that heart parameters showed significant improvement when compared to results carried out before and after the chanting which continued for about ten minutes. The study was published in the Asiatic Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The researchers were influenced by the Warkaris (devotees) who walk kilometers chanting the ‘Vitthal’ mantra on their way to Pandharpur.
The Cardiologists are of the opinion that, any form of meditation can improve a person’s heart rate and bring in a positive outcome if done on a long-term basis. Dr. C N Makhale, Consultant Cardiologist of Ruby Hall Clinic is of the view that meditation helps to control the autonomic nervous system, which regulates the functions of internal organs such as the heart, stomach and intestines. He adds, concentrating on a single object associated with a positive feeling can improve heart functions.”
Dr. Rahul Patil, a Cardiologist expressed that, when a person concentrates on a single point, it results in a reduction of stress and benefits the heart. “I don’t believe that only God’s name will bring this effect. Any form of deep meditation helps one’s health,” he said.
In this hour of COVID-19 crisis best thing, we all can do is “STAY HOME STAY SAFE’ recite the name of ‘Vitthal’
Ref:
- Anvi M 9 mins chat keeps doc away – ISKCON Times, 2014
- Prasad J et al 3rdInternational Conference and Expo on Herbal & Alternative Medicine September 01-02, 2017 London, UK.
By Pramod N Sulikeri
