The healing sounds of Sanskrit

In the Indian traditions of knowledge the sounds of the Sanskrit language are believed to have a profound healing effect. The healing effect of the sequential flow of sounds in the Sanskrit language is said to not only ballance the mind and the body, but even extend further to create harmony in the collective consciousness of society as a whole.

In a way this is a natural extention of the idea that the Vedic hymns are considered to be the expressions of the immutable laws of creation that exist in the unmanifest filed of cosmic consiousness. Since these expression of cosmic harmony flow in the Vedic Sanskrit language, it is only natural that certain sequences of Sanskrit sounds would be utilized to heal and restore balance, and to elevate human consciousness to higher levels.

An interesting point is that in order to experience the beneficial effect of the Sanskrit sounds, understanding the meaning is not necessary. This is because in Sanskrit there is a special connection between the sound and the meaning, between the name and the form it represents. In Sanskrit the sound and the meaning are not considered as two different entities but as one and the same.

In other words, the sounds of Sanskrit carry the qualities of the meaning on the very level of their vibrational frequency. This means that even without understanding the meaning, chanting or listening to Sanskrit verses (or repeating short mantras in meditative procedures, or even reciting the flow of the Sanskrit alphabet) could generate a very beautiful effect on the mind and on the body.

From our experience and experience of others, we can testify that simply listening or reciting Sanskrit hymns, verses, or mantras, has a very profound soothing, healing and revitalizing effect.

It has also been our experience that learning Sanskrit enhances the effect of such recitations. It ensures proper pronunciation – which is very important for generating the harmoneous and ballancing effects of the sounds. Even if we do not recite but just listen, understanding the flow of the language (though it not essential) does contribute an additional joy of gradually understanding more of the deep meanings inherent in the sounds.

In the works of the great Sanskrit scholar from England – Sir John Wodrof (a.k.a Arthur Avalon) who lived in India at the time of British rule, there are beautiful descriptions from the ancient texts depicting the presence of the sounds of the Sanskrit language in the centers of the energy body (known as Chakras).

Various Sanskrit mantras including specific sequences of the sounds of the Sanskrit alphabet are described as part of the inner structure of the circular centers of the energy body.

These kind of sounds, as well as other mantras, verses, and hymns in Sanskrit, were used since times immemorial for the purpose of solving and avoiding problems in life, and for healing various aspects of the energy body and the physiology. They were also used as tools to achieve meditative states, and to elevate the human consciousness towards unfolding its full potential.

The healing role of the Veda

The Vedas were first discovered by the ancient "Rishis" – "seer of reality" – in the inner space of their own pure consciousness. They expressed the Vedic formulas through sound, and created traditions for learning and maintaining the Veda and its usage.

The primary function of the traditional Vedic experts of all generations, was to enliven peace, harmony and progress in society as a whole by the daily recitations of Vedic hymns – recitations which were known to touch and enliven the innermost core of natures intelligence.

They were expected to keep on using yogic and meditation techniques for elevating their consciousness to higher realms, so that their recitations will be powerful and effective.

Just like an engineer can renovate and maintain a building by referring to the original blueprint, and just as a mechanic repairs and maintains a machine by referring to the manual, the Vedic experts knew how to heal and maintain life on all levels, by using the Sanskrit sounds of the Vedic hymns.

The Vedic Pundits (leaned men) were not only entrusted with daily Vedic recitations but also engaged in specific healing procedures and ceremonies (yagnyas) that used the Veda for the purpose of solving and avoiding problems, and promoting success in various areas of life.

At present, with the global upsurge of spiritual and holistic knowledge, and with the growing popularity of yogic and meditative sciences, there is a growing awareness to the great healing potential of the sounds of the Sanskrit language.