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Effect of Gayatri Mantra Chanting on Attention, Memory, Anxiety and Mental

State in Young Athletes: A Prospective Study

Article in International Journal of Current Research in Physiology and Pharmacology (IJCRPP) · July 2020
DOI: 10.31878/ijcrpp.2020.43.02

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International Journal of Cyrrent Reseach in Physiology and Pharmacology Sumathi Publications
Vol 4, Issue 3, 2020.
Original Article

Gayatri Mantra Chanting and its Effect on

Attention, Memory, Anxiety and Mental State in
Young Athletes: A Prospective Study
Shambo Samrat Samajdar1, Shatavisa Mukherjee1, Anushka Ghosh1, Shashank Joshi2,
Santanu Kumar Tripathi1

1. Department of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, School of Tropical Medicine, Kolkata, India.
2. Senior Consultant – Joshi Clinic, Lilavati Hospital, and Research Centre, Mumbai, India.

Abstract
Introduction: The Gayatri Mantra (GM) is one of the oldest available divine hymns in ancient Vedic literature, a
mantra of physical, emotional, mental healing, and spiritual awakening or self-realization. GM is a standard, validated,
empowerment tool aiding in effective behavioral changes leading to an optimal and healthy lifestyle. The effect of Vedic
chanting on consciousness and mental state has been long researched. It has been documented in ancient religious
literature. However, due to its religious connotations, its scientific scrutiny and validation have not been popularized.
The present study tried to assess the effect of GM chanting on attention, memory, anxiety, and mental state on healthy
young athletes. Methodology: The present study was a prospective one, which included 45 athletes who were divided
into three different study arms of 15 each – two arms were undertaking meditation with or without an add on GM
Chanting while meditation, while one was a control group. All subjects were evaluated at baseline and three months for
attention (using six-letter cancellation, digit letter substitution), memory [using digit span test (forward, backward),
multiple-choice apparatus], anxiety (using state-trait anxiety inventory), and mental state using MMSE. The results
were statistically analyzed. Results: Subjects with GM chanting showed significant improvement in attention and
memory domain. Less failed attempts and prompt response to audio and visual stimuli for multiple-choice apparatus
was noted for the GM group. Sustained visual attention, scanning without distraction, and better concentration are
required for the digit cancellation test. Marked improvements in both state and trait anxiety were noted for the GM
chanters. The improved mental state was observed for both meditating groups compared with the control. Conclusion:
GM chanting plays a significant role in the well being of the people. GM chanting has significant effects on attention,
memory, anxiety, and mental state. Regular chanting of GM shall improve learning power, concentration, prosperity,
eternal power, peace, and improves the quality of life.
Keywords: Gayatri Mantra; Six letter cancellation; digit letter substitution; state trait anxiety inventory; MMSE.

Introduction delusion. It ignites the potential to achieve state

T
of “mindfulness” or “calm”. Researchers have also
he Sanskrit word ‘Mantra’ is a paradox, postulated that yogic mantras and chants gives
which is the combination of two roots. One positive influence, vibration on physiological
roots means repetition, the other means and psychological functions of the body.[1] The
freedom. While repetition symbolizes discipline, Gayatri Mantra(GM) is one of the oldest available
freedom denotes empowerment. The word itself divine hymns in ancient vedic literature which is
implies a definite structure of syllables and more than 10,000 years old. Gayatri is a mantra
vowels, which work as an excellent spiritual tool of physical, emotional, mental healing and
to liberate the mind from ignorance, illusion and spiritual awakening or self-realization.GM is a

Correspondence: Shatavisa Mukherjee, Department of Clinical & Experimental Pharmacology,

Correspondence:
School of Tropical Medicine, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India. E-mail: [email protected]

eISSN: 2523-6709 © Authors; 2020. (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

pISSN: 2523-6695 This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted
DOI: 10.31878/ijcrpp.2020.43.02 non-commercial use, provided the original work is properly cited.

5
 Shatavisa Mukherjee et al. Effect of Gayatri Mantra Chanting on Attention, Memory, Anxiety and Mental State

Table 1. Effect of GM Chanting on Attention, Memory, Anxiety parameters

standard, validated, empowerment tool aiding in attention (using 6 letter cancellation, digit
effective behavioral changes leading to optimal letter substitution), memory (using digit span
and healthy lifestyle. Effect of vedic chanting test (forward , backward), multiple choice
on consciousness and mental state has been apparatus), anxiety (using state trait anxiety
long researched and has been documented in inventory), and mental state using Mini Mental
ancient religious literatures.[2] However, due to State Examination (MMSE) inventory. Results
its religious connotations, its scientific scrutiny were statistically analyzed. A p value of less than
and validation has been not popularized. The 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
present study uses modern scientific approaches
to probe this hypothesis. The present study was Results
carried out to assess the effect of GM chanting
on attention, memory, anxiety and mental state
on healthy young athletes T he mean age of the subjects was 21.60 ± 1.84
years. Subjects with GM chanting showed
significant improvement in attention parameters,
Materials and Methods with increased responses in 6 letter cancellation
and digit letter substitution. (Table 1).

T he present study was a prospective one

which included 45 athletes by convenience
sampling who were divided into three different
Significant improvement in memory domain
was noted with higher responses for digit span
study arms (15 each) – test compared to the other two arms. Less failed
attempts and prompt response to audio and
Group 1: Those undertaking normal meditation visual stimuli for multiple choice apparatus was
(15 minutes) with an add on GM Chanting while noted for the GM group.
meditation
Marked improvements in both state and trait
Group 2: Those undertaking normal meditation anxiety was noted for the GM chant group with
(15 minutes) without chanting any mantra lesser improvement for only meditation group.
Improved mental state was observed for both
Group 3: Control group (without any meditation) meditating group compared with the control.
All willing and consenting athletes were Discussion
included for the study. Those already diagnosed
with depression and anxiety, or any other
disease which could impact the psychometric
assessments was excluded. All subjects were
V edic mantras have been a part of the Indian
tradition since ages. The sacred GM, also
called savitr mantra (since pertaining to sun) was
evaluated (at baseline and 3 months) for initially explained by Vishwamitra maharishi in
Int. J. Curr. Res. Physiol. Pharmacol. 2020;4(3):5-7 6
 Shatavisa Mukherjee et al. Effect of Gayatri Mantra Chanting on Attention, Memory, Anxiety and Mental State

Rig Veda. Since time immemorial, such mantras learning and memory. Marked improvements
have been a part and parcel of Indian lives. in both state and trait anxiety was noted for
Gayatri mantra consist twenty four letters, with the GM chant group with lesser improvement
every letters providing subtle conscious energy for only meditation group. Improved mental
field and magnetic field around our body. The state was observed for both meditating group
super natural impact of gayatri mantra is in compared with the control. Decreased anxiety
the physical life due to some specific syllables state and persistent calmness of mind combined
of mantra.[3] The mantra as a whole stimulates with active cells due to rhythmic vedic mantra
the subliminal power centers in the subtle chanting could have attributed to improved
body. Repeated pressures on tongue, lips, vocal memory, mental concentration and sustained
cords, palate and connecting region in the brain attention.
generated by continuous recitation of the 24
syllables of GM creates a resonance in the nerve However, our study had certain limitations. The
and nadis in the body. It creates the magnetic study was of a short duration one and should
force or electromagnetic wave around the body involve larger sample size to generalize the result
that attracts the vital current of deity SUN. in future.GM chanting may be implemented in
Since thought to have positive influences on school setting to help raise the concentration of
intelligence, students were advised to chant these the students thus aiding in improved academic
mantras before the formal studies. Present day ability along with all round development. Future
researches has boosted these ancient theories research may consider including different
confirming positive impact of these mantras on age groups of students with different levels
both physiological and psychological functioning of attention, assessment methods to check
of the body.[4] Vedic chanting are thought physiological changes. This can be repeated
to enhance the attention and recallability. irrespective of any religions.
Chanting further increases blood supply to
the brain areas which are concerned with the Conclusion
memory, thus increasing memory organizability. GM chanting plays a significant role in the well
Studies have demonstrated medial frontal gyrus being of the people. GM chanting has significant
activation attributing to increased concentration effects in attention, memory, anxiety and mental
and visuospatial attention during chanting of state. Regular chanting of GM shall improve
mantras. Activation of left lateral middle frontal learning power, concentration, prosperity,
gyrus, the right angular gyrus, and the right eternal power, peace and improves quality of life.
supramarginal gyrus has also been noted which
contributes to visuospatial attention.[5]While Source of Support: Nil
there are several studies assessing interventions
like asana, pranayama, forms of meditation Conflict of Interest: None Declared
etc, studies assessing impact of vedic chanting
on memory and associated parameters are References
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