Clinical Significance of Mantra Chikitsa: Current Evidence and Future Directions
Keywords:
Brain waves, Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, Mantra Chikitsa, Neuro-linguistics, Sound therapyAbstract
Background: Mantra, a component of Daivavyapashraya Chikitsa (divine therapy) as described in classical Ayurvedic texts, represents a sophisticated system of sound-based therapeutics with far-reaching clinical applications. Derived from the Sanskrit roots man (mind) and tra (instrument), mantras function as psychoacoustic tools that engage body, mind, and consciousness simultaneously. Objectives: This article reviews the Ayurvedic basis of Mantra Chikitsa, its classification, methods of chanting, neurophysiological mechanisms, and evidence from clinical research on various mantras including the Gayatri, Mrutyunjaya, Shiva Panchakshari, Mahamantra, and Vishnu Sahasranama. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive narrative review of classical Ayurvedic texts (Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Sangraha) and contemporary peer-reviewed research publications was undertaken. Studies evaluating the effect of mantra chanting on physiological, psychological, and cognitive parameters were included. Results: Mantra chanting demonstrably reduces anxiety, stress, blood pressure, and serum cortisol levels while improving cognitive function, heart rate variability, and quality of life across diverse populations. Neurophysiologically, mantra practice induces a shift from beta/alpha to theta/delta brainwave dominance, modulates the hypothalamic–pituitary– adrenal axis, reduces amygdala hyperactivity through insular cortex mediation, and stimulates parasympathetic tone. Conclusion: Mantra Chikitsa represents an evidence-based, scientifically grounded therapeutic modality that integrates the principles of Vedic philosophy and modern neuroscience. Systematic clinical research is warranted to establish standardized protocols for its integration into contemporary healthcare.
References
1. Acharya UR, editor. Sandhya sameeksha of govindasharya B. Mantra-japa artha chintane. Shree Palimaru Mata Udupi: Tatva
Samshodhana Samsat; 2002. p. 88.
2. Trikamji Y, Agnivesha. Charaka-samhita with ayurveda dipika commentary of sri chakrapanidatta. Sutrasthana. 1., Shloka. 58.
Varanasi: Chaukhamba Surabharati Prakashan; 2020. p. 16.
3. Ahlawat B. Mantra chikitsa in ayurveda. World J Pharm Med Res. 2023;9(3):141-3.
4. Acharya YT, editor. Nibandha sangraha commentary of sri dalhanacharya and nyaya chandrikapanjika commentary of sri
gayadasa on sushruta samhita of sushruta, sutrasthana; Yuktaseneeyam adhyaya. 1st. ed., Ver. 7., Ch. 34. Varanasi: Chowkhamba Surabharati Prakashana; 2012. p. 147.
5. Prasad V, editor. Shabdakalpadruma of radhakanthadeva. Vol. 3. Delhi: Naga Publishers; 1987. p. 617.
6. Harne BP, Hiwale AS. EEG spectral analysis on OM mantra meditation: A pilot study. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2018;43(2):123-9.
7. Sudha R. Gayathri mantra and social skills training for social anxiety, stress, self concept, and well being among school students with learning difficulties. Int J Psychosoc Rehabil. 2020;24(3):1983-2004.
8. Sharma A, Singh R. Educational stress in adolescents: Chanting mantras as a powerful coping strategy. Glob J Hum Soc Sci.
2014;14(1):31-52.
9. Candrawati SA, Dwidiyanti M, Widyastuti RH. Effects of mindfulness with Gayatri Mantra on decreasing anxiety in the elderly. Holist Nurs Health Sci. 2018;1(1):35-45.
10. Jayanti DM, Arwidiana DP, Mirayanti NK. Five finger techniques with Gayatri Mantra to reduce anxiety of family with schizophrenia. Int J Nurs Health Serv. 2022;5(2):157-65.
11. Sharma V. The effect of chanting Gayatri Mantra on anger expression and psycho-physiological state of the youth. Int J Multidiscip Trends. 2019;1(1):6-9.
12. Dewi NL, Thohar MT, Ismail S. The influence of Gayatri Mantra and emotional freedom technique on quality of life of post-stroke patients. J Multidiscip Healthc. 2020;13:909-16.
13. Roy PP, Sailesh KS, Archana R, Mishra S, Amin A, Thomas S, Reddy UK, Rajan S. Om Namah Shivaya chanting for management of stress in elderly women with hypertension. Int J Pharm Sci Res. 2016;7(11):4693-6.
14. Das K, Shetty P, Shetty S, Shashikiran HC. Effect of chanting Shiva Panchakshari Mantra 108 times on heart rate variability on healthy medical students. J Ayurveda Integr Med Sci. 2021;7(3):147-51.
15. Choudhary A, Kumar A. Study of the effects of structured repetitive delivery of mantras on the cognitive and behavioral changes in an individual after traumatic brain injury: A futuristic approach. Int J Yoga Allied Sci. 2020;14:55-61.
16. Sharma I. Effect of maha mrityunjaya mantra on self-inferiority & depression. Int J Yoga Allied Sci. 2017;6(1):47-9.
17. Kalaivani MK. Assess the effects of mrityunjaya mantra on memory and visual and auditory reaction time of school students [Masters Thesis]. Chennai: Government Yoga and Naturopathy Medical
College; 2014.
18. Sekar L, Niva W, Maheshkumar K, Thangavel G, Manikandan A, Silambanan S, Shriraam V, Ramaswamy P. Effect of Mahamantra chanting on autonomic and cognitive functions- an interventional study. J Clin Diagn Res. 2019;13:CC05-9.
19. Rai RC. Effect of mahamantra chanting on the anxiety level of teen sports players. Int J Physiol Nutr Phys Educ. 2021;6(2):85-9.
20. Goothy SS, Rajagopalan A, Mishra S, Reddy U, Mukkadan K. Beneficial effect of twelve weeks Sri Vishnu Sahasranama chanting on stress, cognition and autonomic functions: A pilot study. Int J Res Ayurveda Pharm. 2016;7:87-9.
21. Rao NP, Deshpande G, Gangadhar KB, Arasappa R, Varambally S, Venkatasubramanian G, Ganagadhar BN. Directional brain networks underlying OM chanting. Asian J Psychiatr. 2018;37:20-5.
22. Perry G, Polito V, Thompson WF. Exploring the physiological and psychological effects of group chanting in Australia: Reduced stress, cortisol and enhanced social connection. J Relig Health. 2024;63:4793-815.
23. Price CJ. Areview and synthesis of the first 20 years of PET and fMRI studies of heard speech, spoken language and reading. Neuroimage. 2012;62(2):816-47.
24. Stigsby B, Rodenberg JC, Moth HB. Electroencephalographic findings during mantra meditation (transcendental meditation):
A controlled, quantitative study of experienced meditators. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1981;51(4):434-42.
25. Gao J, Leung HK, Wu BW, Skouras S, Sik HH. The neurophysiological
correlates of religious chanting. Sci Rep. 2019;9:4262.
