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Music in its completeness is more than just a group of notes. In the Indian Classical Music, the role of 7 'shuddhaswara' and 5 'vikritswara' in its various combinations play very dynamic role. These combinations of 12"swaras" make numerous Ragas each having its own taste and touch with the capacity to modulate as well as moderate the body chakras,mood as well as psychological and physical health. The association of these "swaras" with the 7 major "chakras" of human body along with their expression has been discussed in this paper.Synchronicity between body 'chakras" and "swaras" greatly bestows well-being as positive chakra yields positive results while negative chakra yields negative results. Methods like Toning and Chakra Sound are well researched and significantly show the effects of 7 "swaras" on the body "chakras".This paper reviews that ragas when applied therapeutically has high probability to yield positive expression in their associated chakras which in turn enhances mental as well as physical well-being.The data and reviews were collected through books by consulting libraries, online books, journals articles as well as discussion. As per the need, the exposure towards different Ragas in any form like hearing, singing or playing (instrumental) impacts our mind, body and emotions providing us more balanced and healed state.
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Indian Journal of Social Sciences and Literature Studies
ISSN 2349-5634 (Print) ISSN 2455-0973 (Online)
Vol. 7, Issue 2, October 2021
33
Fostering Mental Wellbeing by Healing Chakras through Music
Therapy
SnehaMittal
Research Scholar, Department of Applied Psychology, Guru Jambheshwar University of
Science & Technology, Hisar.
Sanjay Kumar
Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Psychology, Guru Jambheshwar University of
Science & Technology, Hisar.
Abstract
Music in its completeness is more than just a group of notes. In the Indian Classical Music,
the role of 7 shuddhaswara and 5 vikritswara in its various combinations play very
dynamic role. These combinations of 12„swaras‟ make numerous Ragas each having its own
taste and touch with the capacity to modulate as well as moderate the body chakras,mood as
well as psychological and physical health. The association of these „swaras‟ with the 7 major
„chakras‟ of human body along with their expression has been discussed in this
paper.Synchronicity between body chakras‟ and „swaras‟ greatly bestows well-being as
positive chakra yields positive results while negative chakra yields negative results. Methods
like Toning and Chakra Sound are well researched and significantly show the effects of 7
„swaras‟ on the body „chakras‟.This paper reviews that ragas when applied therapeutically
has high probability to yield positive expression in their associated chakras which in turn
enhances mental as well as physical well-being.The data and reviews were collected through
books by consulting libraries, online books, journals articles as well as discussion. As per the
need, the exposure towards different Ragas in any form like hearing, singing or playing
(instrumental) impacts our mind, body and emotions providing us more balanced and healed
state.
Keywords Music Therapy, Ragas, Body Chakras, Psychological Wellbeing
Fostering Mental Wellbeing by Healing Chakras through Music Therapy Sneha Mittal, Sanjay Kumar
Indian Journal of Social Sciences and Literature Studies 34
ISSN 2349-5634 (Print) ISSN 2455-0973 (Online)
Vol. 7, Issue 2, October 2021
Music in its completeness is more than just a group of notes. In the words of music
scholar Randall McClellan (1988) “Music is a dynamic multi-layered matrix of constantly
shifting tonal relationships unfolding within time.”[1]. It is this dynamic matrix that induces a
profound sense of relaxation. As music is eternal, it works as a league of development and
betterment for not only human but all organisms [2]. The interest of mankind towards sound
and rhythm is not novel in the form of curiosity and emotions like fear for lightening sound,
peace towards chirping of birds etc. These eternal sounds have always modified the mood
states and still do.
Historically the ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Babylonians as well as Indians have
signified music [2]. Be it in the form of beats, ringing, chanting, humming, clapping or even
singing. Philosophers like Plato has even explained Music as ‘the moral law’ which possess
an intuitive understanding of the healing powers. According to him music has the capacity to
restore harmony and contentment in one soul. While advocating music with special healing
qualities, Pythagoras said that “all things are constructed of harmonic patterns. It is only
when we are out of step with the natural harmonic that disharmony arises.” [2].
Themedieval monarchs used music, dance and singing as a prominent way of
entertainment. The best example would be the great 16th century musician ‘Tansen’, student
of great ‘Haridas Swami’, and one of the “nine gems” of Emperor Akbar. His musical skill
was singular of the kind which had their spectacular effects on the listener’s moods as well as
environment like - ‘DarbariKanada’, ‘MiyakiMalhar’, ‘MiyakiTodi’ [3]. By late 19th and
20th centuries, music therapy started attracting appreciation as a therapy in Europe for
treating mental disorders[2].
Essence of Indian Classical Music
In Indian Classical Music, the basic unit of tune or composition is called ‘Swar‟.According to
K.V. Shastri, ‘Swar’ is “a resonating sound that is performed of shrutis without intervals that
has the property by itself affording pleasure to the mind of the hearer.”[4].These ‘swars‟when
stimulated in a systematic sequence and tempo produces unique rhythms called ‘Raag’. As
World Music Maestro ShriPandit Ravi Shankar Explains Raga as
“Ragas should not be mistaken as modes that one hears in the music of the Middle
and Far Eastern countries, nor be understood to be a scale, melody per se, a composition, or
a key. A raga is a scientific, precise, subtle and aesthetic melodic form with its own peculiar
ascending and descending movement consisting of either a full seven note octave, or a series
of six or five notes (or a combination of any of these) in a rising or falling structure called the
Fostering Mental Wellbeing by Healing Chakras through Music Therapy Sneha Mittal, Sanjay Kumar
Indian Journal of Social Sciences and Literature Studies 35
ISSN 2349-5634 (Print) ISSN 2455-0973 (Online)
Vol. 7, Issue 2, October 2021
Arohana and Avarohana. It is the subtle difference in the order of notes, an omission of a
dissonant note, an emphasis on a particular note, the slide from one note to another, and the
use of microtones together with other subtleties, that demarcate one raga from the other.”[13]
All the ‘Raag’ are derived from 10 „Thaats‟ namely Bilawal, Kalyan, Khamaj, Bhairav,
Poorvi, Maarva, Kaafi, Asavari, Bhairaviand Todi. „Thaats‟ work as basic parent
notation[3].Each „Thaat‟has differences in its grouping of octaves out of 12 „swaras‟ and work
as basic blocks for ragas to form [4]. These combinations of various frequencies has the
eternal ability to enable us relax and feel one with the creation by modifying our mood and
emotions[5].The ability of modifying and managing moods and emotions in raag comes from
the concept of „Nava Rasa‟ or "nine sentiments” meaning that each raag has its own
predominance on one rasa and has a texture of arousing or relaxing a particular emotions or
sentiment[4]. These ‘rasa’ are as follows –
1. Shringara Rasa - Romantic and Erotic
2. Hasya Rasa Humorous
3. Karuna Rasa Pathetic
4. RaudraRas Anger
5. VeeraRas - Heroic
6. BhayanakaRas Fearful
7. VibhatsaRas Disgustful
8. AdbhutaRas Amazement
9. ShantaRas Peaceful
Table 1 - TwelveIndian Classical ‘swar’ in sequence to Western Notes.
Sr.
No
Swar
Hindi Name
Shudh/Vikrit
Notation
id
Western Equivalent
Western
Note
1
Sa
Shadaj
Shudh
S
Unison
C
2
Re
Rishabh
Komal (Vikrit)
R
Minor Second
C#, Db
3
Re
Rishabh
Shudh
R
Major Second
D
4
Ga
Gandhar
Komal (Vikrit)
G
Minor Third
D#, Eb
5
Ga
Gandhar
Shudh
G
Major Third
E
6
Ma
Madhyam
Shudh
M
Perfect Fourth
F
7
Ma
Madhyam
Tivra (Vikrit)
M
Augmented Fourth
F#
8
Pa
Pancham
Shudh
P
Perfect Fifth
G
9
Dha
Dhaiwat
Komal (Vikrit)
D
Minor Sixth
G#, Ab
10
Dha
Dhaiwat
Shudh
D
Major Sixth
A
11
Ni
Nishad
Komal (Vikrit)
N
Minor Seventh
A, Bb
12
Ni
Nishad
Shudh
N
Major Seventh
B
Source Deva, 1990
Music, Mind and Body
Music therapy can be applied in two ways. One way is by playing an instrument for others
where the therapist intends to bring desired changes in the emotional and physical health of
Fostering Mental Wellbeing by Healing Chakras through Music Therapy Sneha Mittal, Sanjay Kumar
Indian Journal of Social Sciences and Literature Studies 36
ISSN 2349-5634 (Print) ISSN 2455-0973 (Online)
Vol. 7, Issue 2, October 2021
the listener. The second way is to listen music oneself to achieve relaxation where the effect
of music depends on the ability of the listener to experience an altered state of physical
arousal and mood. These changes occur due to the changes in musical notes which vary in
tempo and rhythm [2].
According to Merit (1990), music not only influences neurons of the body, but also
has the potential to raise one’s energy levels[6]. This appraisal of energy always occurs in
accordance with the need of body. Tang et al. (1994) argue that music therapy does not have
side effects and is relatively more economical[7].According to the ancient Indian text named
SwarShastra, the 72,000 nerves (nadis) of our body are controlled by the 72 parent ragas
known as ‘MelakartaRaag’[8]. It is additionally believed that if one sings or performs a raga
according to its particularly defined minute specifications, like lakshanas, prakriti (nature)
pahar (timing), tempo and purity appropriately, that raga will have complete control over its
corresponding nerve [8].
Out of 12 Notes in Western Music and 12 ‘ShudhSwara’ in Indian Music, the major 7
‘swar’ are considered to be in association with the major 7 chakras. It has been verified that
Musicworks in synchronicity with the 7beta physical energy sources of the body called
‘Chakra’[9]. It is not surprising to note that the number of major chakras in body is 7, so is the
number of „shudhswara‟ and so is the number of colours of rainbow. As the name suggests,
‘Chakra’ means circulating or circulation insisting that the body chakras always circulates in
a direction, it is never still[9]. This is on us to make it rotate positive at all times.The„swar‟
notations when sung in the ascending (aaroha) and descending (avroha) orders in the correct
manner, they synchronize with the Chakra toning from Root to Crown and Crown to Root
Chakra respectively [5]. When the frequencies of the chakra and the tone matches, the chakra
rhythm and vibration gets back to normal giving way to demolition of physical as well as
mental problems[5].Chakra Sound Meditation is the greatest example.
Table 2: Association of Swar with Chakras.
Hindi
Name
Octave
Note
Chakra
Location
Sanskrit Name
Sound
Color
(Rainbow)
1
Nishad
B
Crown
Top of Head
Sahastrara
Om
Violet
2
Dhaiwat
A
3rd Eye
Brow centre
Aagya
Om
Indigo
3
Pancham
G
Throat
Base of Neck
Vishuddha
Ham
Blue
4
Madhym
F
Heart
Chest
Hriday
Yam
Green
5
Gandhar
E
Solar
Plexus
2 inch above
navel
Manipur
Ram
Yellow
6
Rishabh
D
Sacral
2 inch below
navel
Swadhishthana
Vam
Orange
7
Shadaj
C
Root
Base of Spine
Moolaadhara
Lam
Red
Source - Margarita, A. (2019), Deva (1990)
Fostering Mental Wellbeing by Healing Chakras through Music Therapy Sneha Mittal, Sanjay Kumar
Indian Journal of Social Sciences and Literature Studies 37
ISSN 2349-5634 (Print) ISSN 2455-0973 (Online)
Vol. 7, Issue 2, October 2021
Table 3: Association of positive and Negative Expressions of Glands.
Chakra
Gland Associated
Denotes
Positive Expression
Negative Expression
Crown
Pineal
Spirituality
Inspired, Eternal
Connection
Disconnectedness,
Loneliness
3rd Eye
Pituitary,
Hypothalamus
Awareness
Intuition, Clarity,
attention
Lost, Confusion, Stress
Throat
Thyroid
Communication
Expression of
Thoughts, Essential
Truth, encouragement
Apparent Truth, complaint,
criticize, timidity
Heart
Thymus
Love, Healing
Kindness, care,
compassion
Needy/Creepy, jealousy,
closed
Solar
Plexus
Pancreas
Wisdom, Power
Confidence, service in
action
Lack of undertaking, self
conscious
Sacral
Reproductive
Organs
Sexuality,
Creativity
Innate Self Worth,
Forgiveness,
Acceptance
Guilt, Shame, self
destructive, withdrawn
Root
Adrenals
Basic Trust
Innate Security,
neediness, money fear
Insecurity
Source - Margarita, A. (2019).
Table 4 Association of Psychological Disorders with Chakras.
Sr.n
Name of Chakra
Name of Disorder
1
Crown
Depression
2
3rd Eye
Neuropathy
3
Throat
Addiction, Conflict, Sexual Abuse
4
Heart
Co-dependency, Depression, Grief, Loneliness, Panic Attack, Self Hate
5
Solar Plexus
Eating Disorders, Codependency, Conflict, Fear, Guilt, Infertility, Panic
Attack, Self Hate, Sexual Abuse, Shame
6
Sacral
Co-dependency, Conflict, Guilt, Infertility, Sexual Abuse, Shame
7
Root
Anger, Co-dependency, Fear, Infertility, Panic Attack, Self Hate, Sexual
Abuse, Stress
Source Margarita.A, (2019).
Note: 1. In Anxiety and Stress, all chakras are effected.
2. This table does not cover association of physical disorders with chakras.
How association of chakras with ‘swar’ interferes with wellbeing?
The vaadiswarof every raga is though associated with the chakras. The management of
thoughts and behaviors get influenced when the chakra gets negative or positive and also the
effect is vice versa. When the ragas associated with the imbalanced chakra is played, the
rotation of that chakra gets positive which holds the capacity to heal the physical as well as
mental health issues.
Table 5: Interrelation of VaadiSwar with Body Chakras and their Associated Disorders.
Sr. No.
Raga
VaadiSwar
Associated
Chakra
Work of Chakra
Associated Disorders
1
Asavari
Dhaiwat
Brow Chakra
Awareness
Build Confidence,
2
Bhairavi
Madhyam
Heart Chakra
Love, Healing
Encourages
Detachment, Insomnia
3
Kaafi
Pancham
Throat Chakra
Communication
Sleep Disorders
Fostering Mental Wellbeing by Healing Chakras through Music Therapy Sneha Mittal, Sanjay Kumar
Indian Journal of Social Sciences and Literature Studies 38
ISSN 2349-5634 (Print) ISSN 2455-0973 (Online)
Vol. 7, Issue 2, October 2021
4
Bhoopali
Gamdhar
Solar Plexus
Wisdom, Power
Memory,
Concentration
5
Todi
Dhaiwat
Brow Chakra
Awareness
Anxiety
6
Bihag
Gandhar
Solar Plexus
Wisdom,Power
Sonorous Sleep
7
Madhuvanti
Pancham
Throat Chakra
Communication
Depression
8
Chandrakauns
Madhyam
Heart Chakra
Love, Healing
Anorexia Nervosa
9
TilakKamod
, Hansdhwani
Shadaj
Root Chakra
Basic Trust
Relaxation, Ease
Tension,Pleasing
effect on Nerves
Table 5 shows the interrelation of ‘vaadi’ swarwith the associated body chakras and their
disorders with examples of few ragas.
Like RaagAsavari withVaadiSwar ‘Dhaiwat’ associated with Brow chakra whose main
function revolves around Awareness. As discusses above if the Brow chakra revolves
negative, it yields disconnectedness and loneliness while if the brow chakra revolves positive,
it yields inspiration as well as internal connection.Now the findings show that different ragas
heal different disorders of which one is that RaagAsavari builds confidence. Hence, music
therapy involving RaagAsavari will generate a balanced or positive state of brow chakra
which enhances positive physical and mental outcomes related to Awareness like building
Confidence.All the other ragas when therapeutically applied has high probability to yield
similar results as per their associate chakras. More researches need to be performed for
application and generalizability.
Not only Indian Ragas but other western music styles are also equally successful in providing
therapeutic effects.Researches have proven that music therapy helps develop communication,
language, intellectual development[11]. It supports people who grieve through crisis, lowers
stress, motivation, assists memory and increases imagination amonglisteners[5]. Tang et al.
(1994) say that music therapy significantly lowered client’s negative symptoms and also
increased their conversing ability[7]. It also lowered their feeling of being socially isolated and
increased the level of interest in external things around them[12]. Apollo Hospital Group has
also accounted for music therapy by developing a special medical music therapy course [5].
Table 6: Ragas that promote psychological well-being.
Sr. No
Name of Raga
Specific Effect on Psychological State
1
Asavari
Build Confidence
2
Bageshri
Insomnia
3
Bhairavi
Encourages Detachment, Insomnia
4
Bhimpalasi
Anxiety
5
Bilahari
Depression
Fostering Mental Wellbeing by Healing Chakras through Music Therapy Sneha Mittal, Sanjay Kumar
Indian Journal of Social Sciences and Literature Studies 39
ISSN 2349-5634 (Print) ISSN 2455-0973 (Online)
Vol. 7, Issue 2, October 2021
6
Bihag
Sonorous Sleep
7
Bhoopali
Memory , Concentration
8
Chandrakauns
Anorexia Nervosa
9
Darbari (Sedative)
Ease Tension (Anti Stress)
10
Deepak
Anorexia
11
Kaafi
Sleep Disorders
12
Khamaj
Sleep Disorders, ease tension
13
Madhuvati
Depression
14
Poorvi
Anxiety
15
Pooriya
Ease Tension
16
Punnagavarali
Control over anger as well as inner violence/
conflict
17
Sahana
18
Shree
Anorexia
19
ShudhSarang
Anorexia
20
Shivaranjani
Intellectual Excellence, Enhance Memory
21
TilakKamod
Relaxation, Ease Tension,
Pleasing effect on Nerves
22
Hansdhwani
23
Kalawati
24
Durga
25
Todi
Anxiety
Source - Sarkar, J., &Biswas, U. (2015b).[10]
Conclusion
Music is a blessing to mankind & benefits of music are multidimensional. Music not only
heals the physical health but also strengthens and normalizes our mental health. This paper
conceptualizes how the ‘swar’ in Indian Classical Music has association with the 7 major
chakras which influence the well-being of the whole body. Each of the 7 chakras has its own
expression which can get negatively or positively influenced according to the different
external or internal conditions. This paper reviews and suggests that Ragas when applied
therapeutically has high probability to yield positive expression in their associated chakras
which in turn enhances mental as well as physical well-being. More researches need to be
performed for application and generalizability of such influences of Music therapy as it has
tremendous capacity to heal problems of humans and infuses positivity.
Methods used
The data and reviews were collected through books by consulting libraries, online books,
journals articles as well as discussion.
Fostering Mental Wellbeing by Healing Chakras through Music Therapy Sneha Mittal, Sanjay Kumar
Indian Journal of Social Sciences and Literature Studies 40
ISSN 2349-5634 (Print) ISSN 2455-0973 (Online)
Vol. 7, Issue 2, October 2021
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[3]Deva, B.C. (1990). Indian Music.Indraprastha Press, New Delhi.
[4] Tiwari, K., (2008). SangeetavamManovigyan.Kanishka Publishers, New Delhi.
[5] Sarkar, J., &Biswas, U. (2015a). An effect of Raga Therapy on our human body. Int J HumanitSocSci Res, 1,
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[6] Merritt, S. Mind, Music, and Imagery. Plume Books, New York, 1990.
[7] Tang, W., Yao, X., &Zheng, Z. (1994). Rehabilitative effect of music therapy for residual
schizophrenia. The British journal of psychiatry, 165(S24), 38-44.
[8] Sairam, T. V. (2006). MELODY AND RHYTHM. Guidelines Article Formatting, 7(4), 876-891.
[9] Margarita, A. (2019). Chakra Healing.Althea press.
[10] Sarkar, J., &Biswas, U. (2015b). Indian classical ragas to cure diseases. International Journal of Advanced
Science and Research, 1(1), 09-13.
[11] Nagarajan, K., Srinivasan, T. M., &Ramarao, N. H. (2015). Immediate effect of listening to Indian raga on
attention and concentration in healthy college students: A comparative study. Journal of Health Research
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[12] Horne-Thompson, A., &Grocke, D. (2008). The effect of music therapy on anxiety in patients who are
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[13] https://raag-hindustani.com/Credits.html
[14] https://www.organicindiaclean.com/blog7
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any citations for this publication.
The Healing Forces of Music
  • R Mcclellan
McClellan, R. The Healing Forces of Music.New House Publications, Amity, NY, 1988.
Managing stress: Principles and strategies for health and wellbeing
  • B L Seaward
Seaward, B. L. (1999). Managing stress: Principles and strategies for health and wellbeing. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.