A clinical study to assess the impact of Gayatri Mantra chanting and Silence Practice on Quality of Life in University Students.

Abstract

Background: Modern times are the era of materialism, Man's tendency is becoming indulgent as a result of which human beings' minds become victims of narrow decisions, and physical and mental unrest, imbalance, and instability are arising in life. Today's youth is the future of tomorrow's country and the next generation will be based on their conduct and thoughts. Many spiritual principles have been propounded in yogic texts. Who believe that by using these, personality can be improved.
Aim: The objective of the presented research work is to study the effect of yoga on the quality-of-life level in university students.
Methodology: A total of 120 participants have been selected, 60 higher-level students were selected in the first experimental group and 60 higher-level students were selected in the control group. In the research, group practice of Gayatri Mantra chanting and silence was conducted for 30 to 45 minutes for 60 days.
Conclusion: A significant difference was found at 0.05 level among the students of the experimental group. Hence, the collective practice of Gayatri Mantra chanting and silence was found to have a positive effect on the quality of life.

Full text

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International Journal of Yogic, Human Movement and Sports Sciences 2024: 9(1): 252-255
ISSN: 2456-4419
Impact Factor: (RJIF): 5.18
Yoga 2024: 9(1): 252-255
© 2024 Yoga
www.theyogicjournal.com
Received: 23-02-2024
Accepted: 03-04-2024
Vidya
Research Scholar, Department of
Yogic Science, Soban Singh
Jeena University, Almora,
Uttarakhand, India
Vijay Shanker Yadav
Ph.D. Scholar, Department of
Sangyaharan, IMS, Banaras
Hindu University, Varanasi,
Uttar Pradesh, India
Dr. Naveen Chandra Bhatt
Assistant Professor, Department
of Yogic Science, Soban Singh
Jeena University, Almora,
Uttarakhand, India
Abhishek Maurya
Ph.D. Scholar, Department of
Sangyaharan, IMS Banaras
Hindu University, Varanasi,
Uttar Pradesh, India
Rohit Kumar
Ph.D. Scholar, Department of
Kaychikitsha, IMS, Banaras
Hindu University, Varanasi,
Uttar Pradesh, India
Pradip Kumar Mishra
Ph.D. Scholar, Department of
Sangyaharan, I.M.S, Banaras
Hindu University, Varanasi
Viturv Tripathi
Ph.D. Scholar, Department of
Neurology, IMS, Banaras Hindu
University, Varanasi, Uttar
Pradesh, India
Corresponding Author:
Vijay Shanker Yadav
Ph.D. Scholar, Department of
Sangyaharan, IMS, Banaras
Hindu University, Varanasi,
Uttar Pradesh, Indi
A clinical study to assess the impact of Gayatri Mantra
chanting and Silence Practice on Quality of Life in
University Students
Vidya, Vijay Shanker Yadav, Dr. Naveen Chandra Bhatt, Abhishek
Maurya, Rohit Kumar, Pradip Kumar Mishra and Viturv Tripathi
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/yogic.2024.v9.i1d.1562
Abstract
Background: Modern times are the era of materialism, Man's tendency is becoming indulgent as a result
of which human beings' minds become victims of narrow decisions, and physical and mental unrest,
imbalance, and instability are arising in life. Today's youth is the future of tomorrow's country and the
next generation will be based on their conduct and thoughts. Many spiritual principles have been
propounded in yogic texts. Who believe that by using these, personality can be improved.
Aim: The objective of the presented research work is to study the effect of yoga on the quality-of-life
level in university students.
Methodology: A total of 120 participants have been selected, 60 higher-level students were selected in
the first experimental group and 60 higher-level students were selected in the control group. In the
research, group practice of Gayatri Mantra chanting and silence was conducted for 30 to 45 minutes for
60 days.
Conclusion: A significant difference was found at 0.05 level among the students of the experimental
group. Hence, the collective practice of Gayatri Mantra chanting and silence was found to have a positive
effect on the quality of life.
Keywords: Gayatri mantra, yoga, chanting, silence mediation
Introduction
One of the oldest practices in spiritual science is chanting. Essentially, it is the rhythmic
recitation of a phrase, song, invocation, or sound. Spiritual research claims that chanting has a
highly positive effect on the mind, body, and soul since it opens the heart and heals the mind
[1]. Chanting helps to reduce anxiety and anger by boosting immunity, boosting energy levels,
and regulating the hypothalamus, the brain's emotional control centre. It also helps to quiet
down the amygdala, which is responsible for anger. It is believed that specifically repeating
Sanskrit mantras can improve both mental and physical well-being. The Gayatri mantra, which
is adored in the Rigveda, is one of the most well-known mantras in Hinduism [2].
According to Swami Vivekananda, youth is the most valuable asset of the country, He is the
source of infinite energy, He is the source of infinite energy if the infinite energy of youth is
given the right direction, and then new dimensions can be found for public welfare. According
to Johnson (2010). Quality of life can be defined as subjective well-being it reflects a person's
hopes and expectations and their differences, Human adaptability is such that life expectations
are usually adjusted to lie within the realm of what is possible for the individual. This enables
those who have difficult life circumstances to maintain a reasonable life quality. According to
Centre Denmark (2005). In quality-of-life research, one often differentiates between subjective
and objective quality of life. Typical quality of life is about feeling good and being satisfied
with things [3]. The objective quality of life is about meeting social and cultural demands for
material wealth, social status, and material well-being [4].
Dimensions of quality of life: Quality of life represents the components of personal well-
being. Mainly emotional, positive, and negative impacts and life satisfaction are important [5].

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International Journal of Yogic, Human Movement and Sports Sciences https://www.theyogicjournal.com
On this basis, the dimensions of quality of life have also been
kept [6].
The four main dimensions are physical, mental, emotional,
and spiritual [7].
The general level of quality of life among university
students
 Expectations of the future are usually adjusted.
 Satisfied with one's material wealth and social conditions
[2].
 Objective thinking about meeting social and cultural
demands for material well-being.
 Remains full of positive thoughts and satisfied with life
[8].
 Good feelings and high mood.
 High levels of life satisfaction [9].
Reasons for lack of quality of life among university
students
 Insanity and emotional instability [10].
 Due to physical and mental illness.
 Due to negative thinking [11].
 Dissatisfaction
 Due to family, social, economic poor or low status.
Symptoms of poor quality of life in university students [12]
 Being pessimistic about life and the future.
 Lack of adjustment to challenges [13].
 Low self-esteem, sad feelings, and low mood.
 Being influenced by negative thinking, as a result,
symptoms of anxiety start appearing.
 There may be a decline in all dimensions of quality of life
[14].
 Dissatisfied with things in general.
 Deviation from purpose.
Objective
1. To study the theoretical aspect of silent practice.
2. Studying the theoretical aspect of Gayatri Mantra
chanting.
3. To find out the level of quality of life in the students of
the experimental group.
4. To find out the level of quality of life in the students of
the control group.
Hypothesis
1. There will be no significant difference in the level of
quality of life between the pre-and post-conditions of the
university students of the experimental group.
2. There will be no significant difference in the level of
quality of life between the pre-and post-conditions of the
university students of the control group.
Methodology
In the presented research study, on the quality-of-life level,
the sample was selected from Soban Singh Jeena University,
Almora, Almora district of Uttarakhand state, whose age was
between 17-25 years. Under which simple random sampling
method of higher- and higher-level students was used under
probability for the selection process. Initially, 80 students
were asked to fill the questionnaire. A total of 120 quality of
life applications have been selected. 60 higher level students
were selected in the first experimental group and 60 higher
level students were selected in the second control group.
In the presented research study, a collective practice of
Gayatri Mantra chanting and silence was conducted for 30 to
45 minutes for a period of 60 days. This included 10 minutes
of physical exercises, 1-2 minutes of Om chanting, and 30
minutes of complete silence, followed by a 5-minute
questionnaire session. Subsequently, they were engaged in
Gayatri Mantra chanting and silence practices for another 2
months. Afterward, re-evaluation was conducted using the
same method with all groups, and the final data were
collected. The objective of this research work is to study the
effect of yoga on the quality of life among university students.
Results and Explanation
Table 1: Results of quality of life before and after experimental and control group
Student Group
Pre & Post
(N)
Mean
SD
Correlation Coefficient (r)
Standard error of
the mean (SED)
T-Value
Significance Level
(0.05)
Experimental
group
pre
60
79.55
18.99
0.44
2.20
7.84
Significant
post
60
96.83
9.41
Control group
pre
60
79.28
16.66
0.88
1.05
1.96
Non-significant
post
60
77.05
14.25
DF=58
In the present research, the effect of Gayatri chanting and
silent meditation on the quality of life of university level
students was seen. A research design of 120 students was
prepared. The hypotheses were tested at the 5% level. The
results of the test are shown in Table 1. In the students of
experimental group, the mean level of quality of life before
and after Gayatri chanting and silent meditation is 79.55 and
96.83 and the correlation coefficient is 0.44 to find out the
significance between the two mean values, the t-value
obtained is 7.84 which is significant at 0.05 level. And the
mean value of quality-of-life level in pre and post condition
among the students of control group is 79.28 and 77.05, and
the correlation coefficient is 0.88. To find out the significance
between the two mean values, the t-value obtained is 1.96
which is not significant at 0.05 level. Hence null hypothesis 1
is rejected. Thus, it is clear that the quality of life of the group
doing Gayatri chanting and silent meditation has increased.
Table 2: Result of the quality of life of the total student group after the experimental and control group.
Students group
Post
N
Mean
SD
Standard error of the mean
T-Value
Significance level (0.05)
Experimental group
post
60
96.83
9.41
2.20
8.96
Significant
Control group
post
60
77.05
14.25
DF= 58

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International Journal of Yogic, Human Movement and Sports Sciences https://www.theyogicjournal.com
Graph 1: Show graph of pre and post-data of experimental and control group on quality of life of university students
According to the data shown in Table: 2, the mean level of
quality of life after Gayatri chanting and silent meditation
among the students of experimental group is 96.83. Whereas
the mean of quality-of-life level in the post-treatment situation
among the students of the control group is 77.05, and t-value
has been obtained 8.96 and p-value has been obtained .004
which is significant at 0.05 level. Their significance
difference is displayed in Table: 2. Therefore, null hypothesis
1 is rejected.
Graph 2: Show graph of pre experimental and control group status on the quality of life level of university students
After the examination, a meaningful difference in the quality
of life was found among university students. While in the
controlled group, no significant difference was found in the
quality of life. There could be several reasons for this, such as
economic, social, and familial circumstances. It might also be
because these students were not involved in practices like
Gayatri mantra recitation and silent meditation.
Discussion
There are many possible reasons affecting the mental level of
students, [15] financial stress, [8] unemployment and inadequate
sleep, unnecessary family and social pressure [14]. Negative
thinking causes physical and mental diseases [16]. With the use
of silence, people become highly intelligent and have high
thoughts [17]. While chanting Gayatri Manolaya, the more the
mind becomes empty, the less will be negative thinking which
is possible for the development of dimensions of quality of
life [18]. And it is the creator of a person's good character, the
statement of Maharishi Swatmaram is true that Yoga is a form
of shelter for people suffering from all kinds of sorrows. That
is, our physical, mental, ideological, social, and spiritual
development is possible only through Yoga. Maharishi
Patanjali has said - that Siddhis are achieved through the
rituals of the previous birth, medicines, chanting of mantras,
penance, and Samadhi. That is, through these, we achieve our
highest state physically and mentally.
Conclusion
In summary, this study offers insightful information about the
possible advantages of silent meditation and Gayatri Mantra
chanting for improving college students' quality of life [19].
Through their attention to stress, anxiety, and general well-
being, these traditional traditions present viable paths forward
for fostering mental health within academic environments [20].

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International Journal of Yogic, Human Movement and Sports Sciences https://www.theyogicjournal.com
To investigate the long-term impacts and best practices for
implementing these interventions, more study is necessary. In
the experimental group of university students, a significant
difference was found in the level of quality of life between
pre and post-conditions. No significant difference was found
in the level of quality of life between pre and post in the
control group of university students.
Suggestion
There are several potential reasons that affect the mental state
of students, such as financial stress, unemployment, and
inadequate sleep, as well as unnecessary family and social
pressures. Negative thinking leads to physical and mental
illnesses, whereas the practice of silence helps individuals
attain higher thoughts and a higher level of consciousness.
Similarly, chanting the Gayatri mantra reduces negative
thinking as much as the mind becomes empty. This is
conducive to the development of the dimensions of life
quality. Also, it shapes the optimal character of an individual.
The statement of Maharishi Swatmarama that yoga is a refuge
for those suffering from all kinds of sorrows is true. That is,
only through yoga can our physical, mental, intellectual,
social, and spiritual development be possible [21]. Maharishi
Patanjali said that by the practice of medicine, mantra
chanting, penance, and meditation, one can achieve success
from past life impressions, meaning that they achieve their
highest state physically and mentally" [22].
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