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Reading Sanskrit Improves Brain Functioning 

The MUM Review, 6.Feb. 2002, by Brynne Sissom 

The physiological effects of reading Sanskrit are similar to those 
experienced during the Transcendental Meditation® technique, 
according to research recently completed by Dr. Fred Travis, director 
of the ERG/psychophysiology lab of Maharishi University of Management 
in Fairfield, Iowa, USA.

 Dr. Travis asked his test subjects to read passages from the 
Bhagavad-Gita in Sanskrit and in modern foreign languages (Spanish, 
French, or German). In each case they could pronounce the sounds but 
did not know the meaning. He measured brain wave patterns (ERG), 
heart and breath rate, and galvanic skin resistance during two 
reading sessions and during a 15-minute session of the Transcendental 
Meditation technique.

 He found that while they read Sanskrit their physiology was similar 
to those measured during the Transcendental Meditation technique, but 
significantly different from reading a modern language.

 Their skin resistance steadily increased during reading Sanskrit and 
during practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique (showing 
greater stability in their physiology) but remained the same during 
the reading of a modern language.

 Their ERG alpha power and coherence during reading Sanskrit were 
also similar to that during the practice of the Transcendental 
Meditation technique, and both of these were higher than when the 
subjects read a modern language.

 Dr. Travis said that these findings support Maharishi's predictions 
on the effects of reading Sanskrit. Maharishi, in Vedic Knowledge for 
Everyone, predicted that reading the Vedic Literature as it flows and 
progresses in perfect sequential order has the effect of regulating 
and balancing the functioning of the brain physiology and training 
consciousness, the mind, to always flow in perfect accordance with 
the evolutionary direction of Natural Law. 

Dr. Travis found the similarity of physiology during reading Sanskrit 
and the Transcendental Meditation technique is especially noteworthy 
because one reads with his or her eyes open and engages in active 
perceptual and cognitive processes, while the Transcendental 
Meditation technique is done with one's eyes closed and entails a 
reduction of mental activity. This suggests that the state gained 
during the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique may be 
integrated with active mental processes by reading Sanskrit.

 Dr. Travis said, "The Transcendental Meditation technique takes the 
awareness to pure consciousness at the source of thought. Seeing 
similar patterns of physiology during reading Sanskrit as during the 
Transcendental Meditation technique suggests that reading Sanskrit 
enlivens pure consciousness at the source of thought and integrates 
that state with reading and speaking. In short, while practice of the 
Transcendental Meditation technique locates pure consciousness, 
leading to the state of Transcendental Consciousness, reading 
Sanskrit integrates inner silence with outer activity, helping to 
cultivate enlightenment." 









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