Scientific experiment conducted by Maharshi Adhyatma Vishwavidyalay
1. Introduction and intention
Music is God’s invaluable gift to mankind. Music enables man to not just get relief from stress, but to also experience communion with the Almighty God. This was understood through the examples of various Saints such as Sant Surdas, Sant Haridas (The Guru of Tansen), Sant Meerabai etc. However, in today’s times, many renowned reformists across the world have consistently expressed the concern that instead of making music a medium to attain happiness and peace, it is being made a medium of distress and decline. Through various music-based experiments, scientists have reached a conclusion that Indian music is very effective and helpful in treating ailments.
On 7.1.2017, UTS (Universal Thermo Scanner), an instrument helpful in studying the auras of objects and individuals, was used for a scientific study of the spiritual effect on an individual of music which is distressing according to scientists, western music that has the most soothing effect according to scientists, song of a famous Indian classical singer and a bhajan sung by a Saint at a very high spiritual level. Given ahead is the nature of experiments, observations made during the experiment and their analysis.
This research paper was presented by Dr. Jyoti Kale of Maharshi Adhyatma Vishwavidyalay at ‘Astra 2017’, an international conference held at Pune, Maharashtra on 18.1.2017 on the subject of ‘Vedic science’.
2. Nature of the experiment
In this experiment, a seeker was made to hear ‘Heavy metal’ music (which is distressing according to scientists), western music (that has the most soothing effect according to scientists), song of a famous Indian classical singer and a Bhajan sung by H.H. Bhaktaraj Maharaj for 5 minutes each. Readings of the seeker were taken using UTS before and after he had heard each type of music. To eliminate the positive or negative effect of one sample (of music) on the subsequent sample, a gap of approximately 20 minutes was given between two readings. A comparative study of all the readings was done.
3. Information on components used in the experiment
3A. Seeker participating in the experiment : This seeker has been performing spiritual practice for over 10 years.
3B. Four different types of music the seeker was made to hear and their uniqueness
3B 1. ‘Heavy metal’ : In this category, music by the group ‘Anthrax’ was selected. This type of music, popular in the western world, is strong, aggressive and loud. In an experiment conducted in 1997 and acclaimed widely across the world, Mr. David Marel observed that the learning ability of the 24 mice that were made to hear this music for a week, reduced drastically; besides, they became so aggressive that they bit each other to death. (Ref. : https: //www.facts-are-facts.com/article /music-and-psyche-crippling-rhythms-and-murderous-mice)
3B 2. The most soothing western music according to scientists : Scientists have said that the album ‘Weightless’ by ‘Marconi Union’ is the most soothing music to date. (Ref. : http://www.makeuseof.com/ tag/most-relaxingsongs-all-time-science/)
3B 3. Song of a famous Indian classical singer : ‘Raga’ is a specific composition from the seven notes – sa, re, ga, ma, pa, dha, ni. ‘Raga’ is a distinctive feature of Indian classical music. ‘Bhairavi’ is a famous raga in Indian classical music. Knowledgeable people in Spirituality claim that this raga is associated with the Akashtattva (Absolute Ether Principle). Music maestros have experienced creation of a peaceful and Holy atmosphere during the presentation of Raga Bhairavi. We have selected Raga Bhairavi sung by Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, a maestro in Indian classical music.
3B 4. Bhajan of H.H. Bhaktaraj Maharaj : The bhajan ‘Ya Gururaya mama mandira (O’ Guru ! Come and reside in my temple !) has been written, composed and sung by H.H. Bhaktaraj Maharaj, a famous Saint of Indore in Madhya Pradesh. Bhajans written, comp-osed and sung by Saints of a very high spiritual level are rare.
4. Measuring the aura with UTS
4A. The purpose of testing the spiritual uniqueness of the experiment samples using scientific equipment or technology : To understand the extent of positive vibrations in an object (object, premises, animal and individual), whether the object is sattvik or not and whether it is beneficial spiritually, it is necessary to have the ability to understand the subtle dimension. Saints have this ability and hence, can correctly identify the subtle vibrations in every object. Devotees and seekers have faith in every word of a Saint; they consider it to be final testimony. However, rationalists do not have faith in words, they ask for proof. Only when an aspect is proved through scientific analysis, meaning, proved using a equipment, they believe in it.
4B. About UTS : This instrument is also known as an ‘aura scanner’. By using this, the energy and the aura of an object can be measured. This was developed in 2003 by Dr. Mannem Murthy, a former nuclear scientist. He says that the UTS can be used for identifying obstacles in a premises and in medical science, animal husbandry, Vedic science etc.
4C. Various components of the scientific experiment with the instrument and interpretations
4C 1. Negative energy : This energy is harmful.
It is basically of two types :
A. Infrared : Under this, infrared energy emitted by an object is measured.
B. Ultraviolet : Under this, the ultraviolet energy emitted by an object is measured.
4C 2. Positive energy : This is a helpful energy, and to measure it, a sample of +ve energy is placed in the scanner.
4C 3. Measuring the aura of an object using the UTS : To measure the aura of an object, a sample that has maximum vibrations of the object is taken; for example, when the aura around an individual is to be measured, the individual’s saliva or a photo; for an inanimate object, a picture; for a plant, its leaf; for an animal, its hair; for a premises, its mud or dust; in case of Deity’s Idol, sandalwood paste, shendur (An orange powder used in rituals) etc. applied to the Deity.
In this experiment, the saliva of an individual was used as a sample to measure his aura.
4D. Method of taking readings using UTS : First an object emitting infrared energy is placed in the UTS. Then, the individual conducting the experiment holds the scanner in a specific manner and stands about a foot away from the object under experiment. At this time, the angle between the two arms of the scanner shows the extent of infrared energy in the object. For example, if the arms of the scanner form a 1800 angle, it means that the object is completely filled with infrared energy; if the arms do not open at all (meaning, the angle is 00), it means that there is no infrared energy at all in it.
If the arms open at 1800, move away from the object and note the distance till which this angle remains steady. This distance is the extent of the object’s aura. If the arms of the scanner open at an angle less than 1800, it implies that there is no infrared aura around the object. Similarly, the aura of ultraviolet energy, positive energy and specific vibrations in the object are measured.
5. Precautions taken for consistency in the readings
A. The individual handling the instrument was not suffering from any spiritual distress (meaning, he had no negative vibrations).
B. The individual handling the instrument wore white clothes so that the colour of clothes does not affect the experiment.
6. Observations made using UTS on 7.1.2017 and analysis
Please see Table next.
6A. Analysis of the negative energy related observations
6A 1. The seeker did not have any negative energy distress before listening to the music and did not develop any upon listening to the famous Indian classical singer and the bhajans of H.H. Bhaktaraj Maharaj : The seeker who participated in the experiment did not have negative energy distress before listening to the music. After listening to the famous Indian classical singer and the bhajans of H.H. Bhaktaraj Maharaj, no negative energy was noticed in him. This implies that both these forms of music had no negative energy. (This aspect is dealt in detail in Points 8, 9,10.)
6A 2. Developing a lot of negative energy upon listening to ‘Heavy metal’ : In the readings taken after listening to ‘Heavy metal’, while measuring the different forms of negative energies, the arms of the scanner opened at an angle of 900 while measuring ultraviolet energy.
This indicated that the seeker had little ultraviolet energy. While measuring infrared energy, the arms opened 1800, indicating that the seeker was full of infrared energy. The vibrations of this energy extended to 0.88 meters. This implies that ‘Heavy metal’ music generated a lot of negative energy.
6A 3. Negative energy getting generated a little upon listening to soothing western music : In the readings taken while listening to western music that generated soothing effect, the arms of the scanner opened 300, indicating the presence of negative energy to a little extent. This form of music generated negative energy to a little extent.
6B. Analysis of the positive energy related observations
6B 1. The seeker did not have any positive energy before listening to the music, nor did he develop any upon listening to ‘Heavy metal’ & western music: Every individual, premises and object may not necessarily have positive energy. The seeker who participated in this experiment did not have any positive energy before listening to the music. No positive energy was noticed in him even after he heard ‘Heavy metal’ and soothing western music. This means that these music forms produced no positive energy.
6B 2. A lot of positive energy was generated in the seeker when he heard the famous Indian classical singer and the bhajans of H.H. Bhaktaraj Maharaj : After listening to the famous Indian classical singer and the bhajans of H.H. Bhaktaraj Maharaj, the arms of the scanner opened 1800, implying that the seeker is filled with positive energy. This is due to generation of positive energy from both these music forms. (This aspect is dealt in detail in Points 9 and 10.)
6B 3. The aura of the positive energy generated upon listening to the bhajans of H.H. Bhaktaraj Maharaj is by far the best : The vibrations of positive energy generated upon listening to the famous Indian classical singer extended to 40 cm. from the seeker, whereas they extended to 180 cm. upon listening to the bhajans of H.H. Bhaktaraj Maharaj. This implies that maximum positive energy was generated upon listening to the bhajans. (This aspect is dealt in detail in Point 10.)
6C. Analysis of the reading about the aura as in the table
6C 1. Reduction in the aura around the seeker upon listening to ‘Heavy metal’ : The aura of a common man is approximately 1 meter. The aura around the seeker before listening to ‘Heavy metal’ was 1.25 meters. Upon listening to this music, it reduced to 1.09 meters. This is the negative effect of distressing vibrations on the seeker due to ‘Heavy metal’.
6C 2. Upon listening to soothing western music, the aura of the seeker remained almost steady : The aura of the seeker before listening to soothing western music was 1.19 meters. After listening to this music, it became to 1.20 meters, implying that it remained almost steady. The reason is that this music had neither a positive nor a negative effect on the seeker.
6C 3. The aura of the seeker before listening to the famous Indian classical singer was 1.17 meters. After listening to his music, it increased to 1.61 meters. This is the effect of positive vibrations on the seeker caused due to the classical music.
6C 4. The aura of the seeker before listening to the bhajans was 1.40 meters. After listening to the bhajans it increased to 2.65 meters. This is by far the maximum increase in the aura during the experiment. This is the effect of positive vibrations to a great extent in the bhajans on the seeker.
7. Conclusions
From the analysis in Point 6, we understand the following :
A. ‘Heavy metal’, which is distress-causing as per scientists, is spiritually harmful as well.
B. Music that had the maximum soothing effect as per scientists, may not be spiritually harmful; however, it is not beneficial either.
C. Listening to a renowned singer of Indian classical music is spiritually beneficial partially.
D. Listening to bhajans of a Saint who is at a high spiritual level is spiritually beneficial most.
8. The music of a non-sattvik band is spiritually harmful
When the various components of a band are non-sattvik, such as the intentions of the producer, the music director, the composition, various musical instruments, presentation etc., the music produced is spiritually harmful. This is the reason why ‘Heavy metal’ music is spiritually harmful.
9. A spiritual foundation makes Indian classical music spiritually beneficial; lack of it makes soothing western music spiritually non-beneficial
‘It is said that the body merely shakes to the beat of western music; whereas the Indian classical music has the strength to strike a chord with the inner self. Music is a way to God-realisation. The foundation of Indian classical music is spiritual; therefore it has the ability to generate sattvik vibrations. More the spiritual level of the singer, more the emission of sattvik vibrations from his singing. Such music is spiritually beneficial to the listeners as well.’
– Sanatan’s Saint, Sadguru (Mrs.) Anjali Gadgil (Sangeet Visharad – A graduate in music)
10. Reasons why the bhajans of H.H. Bhaktaraj Maharaj are spiritually beneficial
We do not know how great Saints such as Sant Surdas, Sant Tukaram, Sant Namdeo, Sant Kabir etc. sang bhajans; hence, we cannot benefit much from their bhajans. ‘Bhajans written, composed and sung by Saints who are at a high spiritual level are rare !’, say the knowledgeable in the field of Spirituality. From this perspective, the bhajans of H.H. Bhaktaraj Maharaj are an invaluable treasure for mankind. The striking features of some bhajans in published by Sanatan’s Holy text ‘Sant Bhaktaraj Virachit Bhajanamrut’ are given ahead. These reveal the factors essential for any music to be spiritually beneficial.
10A. Blessings of Shriguru : H.H. Bhaktaraj Maharaj has written and sung bhajans as His spiritual practice abiding by the orders of His Guru (A Saint). As a result, the words and the singing have the blessings of His Guru.
10B. High spiritual level of the singer : The voice of an individual at a high spiritual level is enriched with Chaitanya (Divine consciousness). Many have had the spiritual experience of feeling like listening repeatedly not only His bhajans but also His speech.
10C. Being egoless : H.H. Bhaktaraj Maharaj had this bhav – ‘It is by the grace of Shri Guru that I could write and sing bhajans’ – meaning, He had no ego about His writing as well as singing ability. Hence, His bhajans are enriched with Chaitanya.
10D. The subject of the bhajans is sattvik : Generally, when a poet writes, it is not about Spirituality; however, the bhajans written by H.H. Bhaktaraj Maharaj are about Spirituality, meaning, the subject is sattvik.
10E. Origin of the words and the sound is at the same time : A poet pens a poem. Then, the music director composes it into a song or vice versa. The timing of the words and composition of music at the same time is a rare occurrence; however, in the bhajans of H.H. Bhaktaraj Maharaj, the origin of the words and the composition of music is at the same time; hence, we can experience a lot of Chaitanya in them.
10F. Singing with awareness of the implied meaning : H.H. Bhaktaraj Maharaj would sing with full awareness of the implied meaning of the words. Common singers, on the other hand, sing fitting the words in a rhythm and beat, and thus provide happiness only at the physical level.
– Paratpar Guru (Dr.) Athavale and Ms. Priyanka Lotlikar (Maharshi Adhyatma Vishwavidyalay)
E-mail : [email protected]
Spiritual effect of playing a tabla measured using UTS (Universal Thermo Scanner)