We had to wait with bated breath for a month before the results of the RFI cage experiments were out. The scientists who analyzed the data found that there was statistically significant difference between the control groups.
The group that was routinely doing Vedic chantings had the results that indicated much better management of metabolism. The group that practiced meditation in addition to Vedic chantings did even better than the vedic chanting group.
When these results were conveyed to jyeshta maha sanndhanam , he laughed it off . “Why do you need to do indirect measurements in a cage ? You practice veda adhyayana, dhyana and straightaway get healthy . What is this funny urge to look at the charts to see if you are healthy instead of checking yourself?” . He quickly added, “ we need this study as today’s world believes in only one type of knowledge - scientific experiments based. It is my duty to present ancient wisdom in a way the present generation can understand and accept”.
But how about the group that was not exposed Vedic chantings, let alone chant themselves ? Even they had a positive results while listening to the Vedic chantings in the cage.
“How did this group show improvement when they never meditated in their life nor have they listened to Vedic chantings in their life? Does this not prove that your hypothesis is wrong ?”, I countered to Umesh. “We are trying to establish the efficacy of Vedic chantings and Meditation in the experiment. So my hypothesis is not about the people but the process’, Umesha explained.
“Even then, you need to establish how merely listening to the chants will cause this effect. In the meditation, we can argue that ‘kundalini’ rises which causes these effects; in the case of mere listening what is the assignable cause?”, I persisted. Umesha smiled and gave an instantaneous response , “ musical voices create a Laya in the attentive mind which in turn creates these positive effects. Have you forgotten our discussion on Hatha Yoga Pradeepika?”, he asked. “Of course not !”, I said firmly and we recalled the relevant portions.
“इन्द्रियाणां मनो नाथो मनो नाथास्तु मारुतः
मारुतस्य लयो नाथ: स लयो नादमाश्रितः
Mind is the master of the senses, and the breath is the master of the mind. The breath in its turn is subordinate to the laya (absorption), and that laya depends on the nâda.”
“सोयमेवास्तु मोक्षाख्यो मास्तु वापि मतान्तरे
मनः प्राणलये कस्चिदानदः संप्रवर्तते
This very laya is what is called moksa, or, being a sectarian, you may not call it moksa; but when the mind becomes absorbed, a sort of ecstasy is experienced”
“लयो लय इति प्राहुः कीदृशं लयलक्षणं
अपुनर्वासनोत्थानालयो विषय विस्मृत्तिः
Laya is simply then forgetting of the objects of senses when the Vâsanâs (desires) do not rise into existence again”
“Amongst all of us, you should not forget this portion of Hatha Yoga Pradeepika. As a maadhwa you have a tradition of great poets , composers and singers of Bhakti Geete; your Daasa koota is the ringing endorsement of this Laya principle”, he stressed.
I would never forget this for life ;this experiment and the conversations would travel with me all over the world for next forty years, opening the doors for many great wisdom from masters. Shrimad Ananda Theertha muni talks of “Laya” in his guide book Tantra Sara Sangraha. I haven’t seen any other philosopher write such a succint but comprehensive guide book for implementing metaphysics. It was my fortune that I got a copy of this book TSS autographed by the Walking Veda Vyasa of our times, Dr.Bannanje Govindacharya.
Years later, I would get to know that studies conducted by Harvard University & Mayo Clinic corroborated the humble findings of Umesha. They used modern CT & fMRI measurements also to conclude how deep meditation impacted human body positively :
PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFFFECTS
Social adjustment increases.Mood improves and, subjective wellbeing increases; and depression, Hostility decreases.
Self-acceptance and self-actualization increase.
BIIO--CHEMIICALL EFFFFECTS
Hemoglobin, Lymphocyte count, Thyroxin, Vitamin-C, Total serum protein HDL cholesterol, Hematocrit increases.
Total white blood cell count, Glucose & Sodium, Total cholesterol &Triglycerides, LDL & VLDL cholesterol,Catecholamine decreases.
PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFFFECTS
Cardiovascular efficiency, Musculoskeletal flexibility & joint range of motion, Immunity, Endurance, Energy level, GSR, EEG Alpha, increase.Gastrointestinal & Endocrine function normalizes.
Pain, BP, Pulse rate, Respiration rate. EMG decreases.
How do Nada and Dhyana produce such effects on human metabolism? How do they operate ?How did Shri Raghavendra Swamy continue to be present in his Brindavana for hundreds of years to bless and provide succor to his devotees ? He had walked into it and asked his followers to close it in early 17th century,
As always, I had no inkling that Jyeshta Mahasannidhanam and Umesha had launched me into a life long quest.The biggest push Jyeshta Mahasannidhanam gave me was to maintain highest level of curiosity to learn, keep an open mind and build the courage to walk the path of conviction. Umesh would also urge us not to get confused and get filled with despondency. His favorite Quote from Bagawat Gita would ring in my ears every time I faltered.
कुतस् त्वा कश्मलं इदं विषमे समुपस्तितम्
अनार्य जुष्टं अस्वर्ग्यं अकीर्तिकरम् अर्जुन
“From were does this despondency crop up in the most inopportune moment Arjuna ? This is ‘un-valorly’, robs you of final destination, and will get you infamy”.
I had heard JMS and Umesha mention the thirteenth century Sringeri Acharya Sri Vidyatirtha (1229-1333 A.D) with great reverence. “He was as much a scholar as he was a Yogi.Always absorbed in the bliss of self-realisation, he spent many years in Simhagiri in the company of numerous disciples, who by his grace became adepts in mantra, tantra, yoga and meditation”. He walked into an underground chamber, sat in deep meditation and the chamber was all covered up with granite slabs. He had assured that his body would morph into chatur murti vidyeshwara in 12 years; but some curious matha disciples opened it up in 3 years to see his body replaced by an image of the hill with a linga on top.
अविद्याच्छन्नभावानां नृणां विद्योपदेशतः
प्रकाशयति यस्तत्वं तं विद्यातीर्थमाश्रये
This tenth Acharya of Sringeri is said to have installed eight disciples as the heads of the eight mathas established by him, just as Shrimad Ananda Theertha Muni was establishing eight mathas in Udupi, some 90 Km down the hills of western Ghats.
Some three hundred plus later ,the great Maadhwa Yati, Rayaru, Shri Raghavendra Theertha would repeat the feat. What gives such Yogis the conviction and courage to walk into Brindavana alive and ask his followers to fill it up? This was haunting me for ever.
More striking was Rayaru’s assurance that he would continue to be ‘present’ in the Sealed Brindavana structure for hundreds of years to provide succor to the needy and faithful was even more startling. How was this possible ?
So, the spark that JMS and Umesha lit way back in early 1908s would light a flame that will glow for decades and help me connect the linkage between Ashtanga Yoga and Modern Science. This will become very useful as I set out to write the Biography of great Maadhwa saint Yogi Shri Raghavendra Theertha. As mentioned many times, he would never leave me, always acting as source of inspiration and even setting command from time to time.
Many scientific establishments have researched on the effectiveness of Ashtanga Yoga. They impact the endocrine system in a positive way, building up immune system and helps reduce the “demands” on the metabolism. There have been controlled experiments on how certain sound frequencies impacted moods or aided cell development.
1.Serotonin balance: Commonly known as the “happy” neurotransmitter. Scientists at the University of Montreal have shown that Meditation have a direct impact on the brain’s production of serotonin levels.
2. Reduces Cortisol ‘Stress’ Hormone. According to a study conducted by Thomas Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia,
reduces production of ACTH from pituitary gland and cortisol from adrenals.
3. Boosts DHEA ‘longevity’ Hormone.Often called by researchers as the “longevity hormone” and stress counter-puncher, this gets a dramatic boost.
4. GABA ‘anti-anxiety’ Neurotransmitter secretion. Boston university school of medicine found that a 12 week yoga intervention was linked with greater improvement in mood and anxiety and increased levels of GABA than a metabolically matched walking exercise.
5. Increase in Endorphins ‘feel-good’ Neurotransmitter levels.
6. Growth ‘anti-aging’ GH Hormone optimised and helped balance Melatonin ‘Rest-Sleep-Heal’ hormone.
7. Ups Oxytocin ‘Love’ Hormone, per study at India’s NIMHANS that adding yoga for a month to schizophrenic patients improved social-occupational functioning by increasing oxytocin levels.
8. Balances Dopamine ‘the reward’ hormone.
Commonly known to control brain’s reward and pleasure centers, dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate movement and emotions. J. F. K. Institute in Denmark published in Cognitive Brain Research found that Yoga Nidra
9Yoga controls rate of Thyroid ‘Metabolism’ Hormone secretion.
These hormones regulate the rate of metabolism, nervous system functioning, oxygen utilization and are responsible for physical and mental growth.
The studies in animal behavior during harsh winter hibernation proved dramatic reduction in levels of oxygen and energy needs , some time stretching to six months.
If ordinary animals could do it where is the surprise in great Yogis like Raghavendra Theertha, Vidya Theertha performed feats that they did. We mortals characterize them as ‘miracles’ while it is a simple act for the Yogic powers they acquire.
Drawing from Hatha Yoga Pradeepika, Shrimad Ananda Theertha Muni’s Tantra Sara Sangraha and Modern science, I presented the Life of Shri Raghavendra Theertha with a new perspective. The present Pontiff Shri Subudhendra Theertharu was kind enough to bless it and write a foreword.
All these will have to wait for decades.
The ground was shifting under my feet and the hostility at home was growing exponentially. I was long since ‘ex-communicated’ by some of my orthodox Maadhwa uncles for ‘hanging around’ with a Shankaracharya. My mother being very upset that I would go the “Umesh way”, was using all types of emotional pressure to get married and settle down. ‘Your father died when you were only 8 and I struggled to bring you up and is this is gratitude you are showing’ was the constant refrain. Working two shifts in a factory was adding its own health issues. I was always innovating mods for the nitya karma anushtana as work pressures mounted. Indriya nigraha while immersed in loukika was posing its own challenges.
I managed it for a few years and it was becoming so hard to continue. I ran to Dr.Subbaramaiah’s for counsel.
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