The Role of Sanskrit in Health and Healing
Sanskrit is a language of higher consciousness and it deepens the understanding of the inner self leading towards self-realisation. Here the sounds, the words carry a rhythm, a melody and generate joy and clarity. By the purity of its sound vibrations, harmonious rhythm and naturalness Sanskrit helps in the expansion of consciousness and maintenance of one’s well-being.
The Sanskrit word स्वस्थ svastha. usually referring to health, in its root sense signifies ‘one who is settled within oneself’ — स्वस्मिन् तिष्ठति svasmin tiṣṭhati. To remain healthy is to remain steady, immobile and settled within. Unhealthy is the one who is not connected to deeper self and not settled therein.
The other Sanskrit word चिकित्सा cikitsā is a desiderative of the root-sound ‘kit’ ‘to be aware’, in its root sense means the aspiration to get to the state of awareness of the Self within. And the चिकित्सक cikatsaka means a spiritual healer, a master, a guide who could facilitate the process of the inner awareness for one who is in the fallen state of consciousness.
Interestingly the Sanskrit word देह deha means the body in its growing phase and शरीर śarīra refers to the body in its deteriorating phase. This shows the richness of Sanskrit in the sense that how a language creates awareness about oneself.
The healing power of this language has been experienced by many people. All the life in the universe, mobile or immobile has a divine consciousness in it. And the purpose of sādhanā is to awaken that divine consciousness to live a meaningful life. Seer and sages have used this language, awakened and formed mantras and used it for awakening and reaching the higher consciousness. Sanskrit alphabet (varnamālā) constitutes all the fundamental sounds of human body. Language is the manifestation of the inner sounds. So even by reciting the Sanskrit varnas/alphabets causes healing. Like practicing anusvāra (.) used as the dot above the letters. It is a pure nasal sound and when used with the vowel is equivalent to doing brahmari prānāyāma. Similarly the sound of visarga (:) has the hissing sound when used with the vowel. The sound is produced by releasing the air which results in the activation the flow of prāna. When articulated rightly it has the benefit of kapālapbhāti kriyā.
Mantra yoga or the repeated practice of chanting mantras with complete faith, will, inner harmony and devotion leads to the invocation and connect with the higher consciousness. Mantra leads to silence and stillness if done properly. The sound of Aum if chanted properly leads to immense harmony, higher connect and well-being. Mantra has the power of “Jeevanmukti’’ which means freeing oneself from the limited, narrow consciousness and ascending to higher divine consciousness. Chanting, ‘’Om Shanti Shanti Shanti’’ consciously before the meal, while preparing the meal and after the meal, helps in peaceful digestion of food. It’s important to eat in peace and offer the food as food is a mode for strengthening our physical instrument for the divine consciousness.
Each one has to do sādhanā to find the mantra they resonate with. Being silent and connecting to the elements of vastness, openness and stillness such as sea, sky and nature leads to a natural expansion and silence. Also practicing quietude, being conscious in different body parts, gives the space for things to emerge from the deeper self. It is important to invoke the right forces. One with complete purity and inner harmony and faith can gain much from the practice of the Sanskrit sounds as Mantra.
In Sanskrit rhythm plays very significant role. And this rhythm is immensely responsible in maintaining well-being. Conscious use of Sanskrit in daily life either in written or spoken forms helps the user remaining in tune with one’s own inner music. This is how Sanskrit heals and helps maintaining well-being.
