What is Music Therapy (Raga Chikitsa)?

• Simply defined, Raga Chikitsa means “healing through the use of raga.” Raga Chikitsa is
defined as “the knowledge of how to use raga for the purposes of healing. Fundamental
features of Raga Chikitsa is the classification of the ragas based on their elemental
composition (ether, air, fire, water, earth) and the proper use of the elements to balance
the nature of the imbalance and the balance the functional energies in the body (kaph,
pitta, vata).

• Music Therapy & Nada Yoga

• In different conscious states, the mind is attracted to different vibrations of Nada. In
Indian music, these forms of Nada are known as Ragas; tonal frameworks that are
appropriate to certain times of the day or certain seasons. It seems as if some
compositions of sounds are unpleasant at one time of the day and pleasant at
another.

• Ragas are closely related to different parts of the day according to changes in nature and
development of a particular emotion, mood or sentiment in the human mind. Music is
considered the best tranquillizer in modern days of anxiety, tension and high blood
pressure.

• The therapeutic effect of ragas is an age-old remedy. It is described as the ancient system of
Nada Yoga. Ragas channelize vibrations released by sounds to uplift the patient’s
consciousness. Ragas are considered as a yoga system that work through the medium of
sonorous sounds. Depending on the nature of the raga, it can either intensify joy or sorrow. It
also has the ability to enhance feelings of peace. Performing or listening to different ragas can
work as medicine for patients. Ragas must be used in combination with Ayurveda in order to be
rendered useful. Ragas are divided and played according to the five elements and the dosha
(kapha, pitta, vata) or the functional energies. Each dosha has a different set of healing ragas.

• The time assigned to the raga is also an important factor. The time of the day when the raga is
being used must coincide with the dosha type. Kaphas are usually recommended early morning.
Late morning or early afternoon is associated with Pitta dosha. Vatas are usually recommended
in the evening.

• Living systems show sensitivity to specific radiant energies – be it acoustical, magnetic or

electro-magnetic. As the impact of music could be easily gauged on emotions and thereby on
mind, it can be used as a tool to control the physiological, psychological and even social
activities of the patients.
• According to an ancient Indian text, Swara Sastra, the seventy-two melakarta ragas (parent
ragas ) control the 72 important nerves in the body. It is believed that if one sings with due
devotion, adhering to the raga lakshana (norms) and sruti shuddhi, (pitch purity) the raga could
affect the particular nerve in the body in a favourable manner.

• While the descending notes in a raga (avarohana) do create inward-oriented feelings, the
ascending notes (arohana) represent an upward mobility. Thus music played for the soldiers or
for the dancers have to be more lively and up lifting with frequent use of arohana content. In
the same way, melancholic songs should go for 'depressing' avarohanas. Although it is not a
rule, most of the Western tunes based on major keys play joyful notes, while those composed
in minor keys tend to be melancholic or serious.

• Certain ragas do have a tendency to move the listeners, both emotionally as well as
physically. An involuntary nod of the head, limbs or body could synchronize with lilting tunes
when played.

Misconceptions about Music Therapy and Ragas

• Modern Ragas & Music (any genre, any language, any time period) don’t do therapy. They
provide the entertainment aspect of art and some levels of relaxation and relief. They do not
cure the actual energetic imbalance and the diseases in the body and mind. Ragas & Music in
the present format is not useful for Music Therapy.

• A song from certain artist will evoke certain physical, mental and emotional changes but will
never cure the imbalances of the functional energies of a person’s body and mind.

• For an example, you might have heard that a X ragas is used to treat Y diseases. All the lists
which are available on the internet are 90% false. Those ragas can only provide the relief but
never the actual treatment of the symptoms of the diseases. A certain raga will provide
relaxation and stress management for diabetes patient but will never treat the symptoms of
the diabetic patient such as the insulin creation, hormonal secretion, balancing of blood sugar
levels and blood pressure etc. of the patient in long term

• For Music Therapy it is essential that we should increase or decrease the energy associated
with the Surs which are required to balance the functional energies.

• Every Sur has a particular emotion, mood, energy associated no matter what the scale is.
These Surs are directly associated with the functional energies, brain functioning, hormonal
secretion, nervous system, organs and their functioning.

• The energy of the Sur can be increased or decreased according to the imbalances of the
doshas and can be brought to balance. This theory matches with the concept Khshaya, Vriddhi
or Prakop of tridoshas from Ayurveda
 What is a Raga?

• Raga, is a terminology which is used regularly in Indian Music. First of all what is raga? How
can raga be defined? How can raga cure diseases?

• In the 7th century the term ‘Raga’ was defined for the first time by Sage Matanga “a
combination of tones which, with beautiful illuminating graces, pleases the people in general”
in his book, ‘Brihadessi of Matanga’.

• Raga is referred to as a ‘miracle of microtones’ and the swaras can range between 5 to7
which covers 22 sruti’s in an octave. The flexibility in Indian music provides the performer an
opportunity to osculate swaras, which is where Raga music plays the therapeutic role. The
frequencies can reach the neighboring swaras which intensifies the listener’s musical
experience. Overtime the raga music therapy system can trim a person’s mind and their
behavioral pattern.

• Every listener will have a connection to their favorite raga emotionally and physically (e.g. nod
of the head). The list below provides raga’s which can assist in defusing certain diseases.

• The awareness of Music Therapy is growing in society. Research has embarked to re-discover
the therapeutic ragas on a trial and error basis which is already providing promising results.
Simple interaction to musical rhythms in bhajans and kirtans is capable of relaxing the mind
which can also provide positive hormonal changes in the system. We all suffer from stress due
to our hectic lifestyle and music is a safe solution to take some time off.

• A raga is considered a melodic mode in classical Indian music. Every raga has its own melodic
structure. Ragas are considered to have the ability to ‘color the mind’ of the audience and
change their current state of emotions. Each raga consists of a minimum of at least five notes.
Ragas can be reordered as per the musician; however, each specific raga is either always
ascending or descending. Ragas are known to have symbolic associations with the seasons, time
and moods.

Origins of Indian Classical Music

• The origin of Indian classical music has been dated as far back as the Vedic times (4000 BC
to 1000 BC)

• Gandharva veda, the upaveda of the "Sama Veda," is the study of all art forms including
music, dance and poetry. This Vedic text contains information about the laws and ways to
practice music as well as how music works as a therapy to heal the body and soul.
Gandharva veda uses the music of nature to restore balance of body and mind.
• The origin of Indian classical music is traced to the Sama Veda and music itself is styled as
the Gandharva Veda.

• Gandharva Veda - It is the text on all art forms including music, dance, and poetry.

• Gandharva veda is one of the four main upavedas, which are derived from the four Vedas -
"Rig Veda," "Yajur Veda," "Sama Veda" and "Atharva Veda." From Sanskrit, gandharva
means "skilled singer" or "master of music"; and veda means "knowledge" or "wisdom."

• Upavedas, meaning "applied knowledge," are specific applications of Vedic teachings.

Gandharva veda is a Vedic science on the influence of sound and music in all, including the
body and soul of the yogi. Ayurveda, which is one of the upavedas, uses gandharva veda to
promote physical and mental health.

• Music is looked upon as a spiritual sadhana which elevates and animates the level of man’s
consciousness and kindles in the cave of his heart the perpetual light of divine knowledge.

• The ancient sages discovered the intrinsic spirit of the frequencies of nature within their
consciousness and reflected it through music. These sounds match with the basic rhythms
and melodies of nature and create balance and harmony in environment and health.

Ragas & Music – Not Entertainment

• Music is not a device invented by somebody for entertainment

• Music was never looked upon in Bharat as a form of entertainment to the people; not even
as a fine art, but as a means for attaining eternal beatitude (moksha, nirvana, apavarga,
svarga, etc.).

• This accounts for the large number of saints, evolved souls and devotees among its best
exponents and composers.

• “Until about a thousand years ago, there was no such thing as ‘concerts’ in the Indian
tradition. There was no ‘performance’ of music or dance or singing.
Music was confined to the temples for sacred ceremonies and rituals. They were not
entertainment forms of music, but what I call very potent sound formulas. Such formulas are
like different elements; you put them together and you get a certain effect. They were used in
ancient times to bring tranquility and peace to agitated minds and tired bodies, as well as to
change and transform the listener.
• On the one hand, it had a therapeutic effect; to heal disease, to heal sickness. On the other
hand, its aim was to focus the attention of people who came to the temple – towards one-
pointedness. When we are centered and one-pointed, our lives take on a different meaning.
When, on the other hand, our minds are scattered, the way we experience things is also
influenced. So, in order to achieve that focus, music was instrumental.

• From the beginning of the eleventh century, we see a turn in the history of India. Many
foreign invaders came and established their empires there: the Persians, the Moguls, and so on.
They liked the music and art so much that they invited the musicians to their courts, to
appreciate and honor them.

• Therefore, something very significant happened at that time. The musicians and the music,
which so far had only been played at the temple, were now made available to everyone from
the king to the common people. People who did not belong to the temples could now enjoy the
music.

• However, this had one disadvantage. Previously, the artist or the musician did not have to
prove anything. In the temple, you play as part of a ceremony. There is a deity, there is a God
sitting there and you don’t have to prove anything, because supposedly God knows everything
– all the music, and all the variations, all the rhythms.

• But the king doesn’t know. You have to prove it to the king. So, the ego comes along. Now the
egos began to build up as the art was developing. They became very intellectual. A lot of music
started to come from the left brain, and as a result the music took another shape.

• As the inner feelings change so does the art. Expression changes.

• From that point onward, there are two branches in music. One became the entertainment
branch. The other path is when we use the music as a path to evolve ourselves.

• The great classical music takes you higher, beyond your mind, to silences which can give you
a taste of meditation, a taste of existence – Osho quotes on Music
 Ragas & Health
• Classical Music is based on all the cycles and rhythms of the human body and mind:
— hormonal secretion
— metabolism
— cardiac rhythms
— dincharya, ritucharya etc.
which keep the mind and body in tune with the rhythms of Nature.

• These sounds match with the basic rhythms and melodies of nature and create balance and
harmony in environment and health.

• This ancient classical music is used in Ayurveda, where the components of rags or melodies
and layas or rhythms are used to rectify the imbalances or Doshas. Certain melodies or
Ragas could induce the plant to blossom.

• In meditation, it helps to transcend to the innermost consciousness.

• It finds an association of different sounds with different species and different natural
phenomenon. It says that every environment is composed of sound vibrations which
resonate with other sounds.
• Music & Ragas in the treatment of various diseases -

• One obvious use of music therapy is that of a sedative. It can replace the administration of
tranquillizers, or at least reduce the dosage of tranquillizers.

• Music Therapy / music increases the metabolic activities within the human body. It
accelerates the respiration, influence the internal secretion, improves the muscular activities
and as such affects the "Central Nervous System " and Circulatory System of the listener and
the performer.

• Music & Vibrations have direct impact on the brain and it's brainwave states, immune system,
nervous system, cardiovascular system, limbic system and much more.

• Music & Vibrations can influence the release & balancing of neuro-transmitters and neuro-
hormones like Human Growth Hormone, Oxytocin, Serotonin, Melatonin, Endorphins,
Dopamine and can significantly reduce the Stress Hormones in the body which can result in
more balanced state of body and mind.
 Ragas & Dinacharya
• Each Raga is associated with a definite mood or sentiment that nature arouses in human
beings.

• Music has the power to cure, to make you feel happy, excited, keep you calm, balance your
mind and to invoke 8 specific emotions / rasas in human body and mind

• The main categories of Rasas, as described in the ancient Sanskrit scripture called
Natyasastra, are eight: Fun and humour, love and erotism, anger, disgust, heroism, sadness
or depression, amazement and compassion.

• Ragas are closely related to different parts of the day according to changes in nature and
development of a particular emotion, mood or sentiment in the human mind.

• These elements work in a cyclic order of rise and fall during the 24-hour period. Also, the
reaction of these three elements differ with the seasons. Hence it is said that performing or
listening to a raga at the proper allotted time can affect the health of human beings.

• Kaph Dosha – 7am to 11am, 7pm to 10pm

• Pitta Dosha – 11am to 3pm, 11pm to 3am

• Vata Dosha – 3pm to 7pm, 3am to 7am

Detoxify your body, mind and soul through sound, frequencies & vibrations (based on
Ragachikitsa & Ayurveda)

Benefits of the Music Therapy & RagaChikitsa -

• Removes Fear, Stress, Anxiety, Depression
• Deeper Relaxation, Calmness & Peace of Mind
• Enjoy the art of thoughtless-ness (state of no-mind)
• Relief from Tension and Overthinking
• Improves Sleep
• Relief from Body and Muscle pains
• Maintains Emotional & Mental Balance
• Relief to Neuro-Disorders, Cancer and other life-threatening diseases
• Makes you feel emotionally nurtured, secure and satisfied
• Feel Content & Secure
• Cardiovascular & Heart Problems
• Digestive Problems
• Relief from negative emotions and unwanted patterns
• Relief from Fatigue, Tiredness, and Laziness
• Enhances freshness and dynamism and a tonic for the body, mind and spirit
• Relief to Physical, Mental, Emotional & Lifestyle Challenges

Relief to Specific ailments & disorders by Music Therapy & RagaChikitsa -

• Stress, Anxiety, Overthinking, Hyperactivity
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Migraine
• Diabetes
• Asthma
• Acidity
• Hypertension
• Arthritis
• Knee Pain
• Obesity & Weight Loss
• Fever
• Memory Loss
• Enhancing happiness, confidence, hope, self-esteem

Benefits of the Music Therapy sessions can be listed into:

• Benefits to spiritual health and spiritual growth
• Benefits to physical health
• Benefits to emotional health
• Benefits to mental health
What people have to say about the sessions:
• 'feeling very calm and sorted now from stress, anxiety and loneliness'
• 'could feel vibrations all over the body and feeling more happier and lighter'
• 'relief from tension, body pain and flowing with the sounds, most relaxing session '
• 'feel connected with myself. I can love, accept & forgive myself'

Some words about Advait Danke -

• He is an internationally certified Sound Therapist and Music Therapist (RagaChikitsa) with

Ayurveda as his major subject.
• He is a student of Indian Classical Vocal and composes and performs electronic music for
spreading relaxation and happiness.
• He conducts Sound Meditations / Sound Therapy / Nada Yoga Sessions.
• He has extensively toured in Europe for creating Sound Therapy sessions and to perform in
the international cultural festivals for representing India, Sound Therapy, Nada Yoga, Ayurveda
and to spread the awareness of Sound Therapy.
• He conducts successful sound therapy workshops for couples, families, youth & children and
many people have seen positive shifts in their stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia and other
health patterns.
• He is on the journey to connect the world through the vibrational power of sound & music
and creating a possibility for love, compassion, harmony and relaxation

Information about Advait Danke, my Guru Shree Rivesh Vade, Organization and Foundation,
Nada Yoga, Sound Therapy and it's benefits are further attached in the PDF Document.

Words about Advait Danke

• http://bit.ly/wordsaboutadvaitdanke

What is Nada Yoga? (The Yoga of Inner Sound)

• http://bit.ly/whatisnadayoga

What is Sound Therapy or Sound Healing?

• http://bit.ly/whatissoundtherapy

What is Music Therapy (Raga Chikitsa)?

• http://bit.ly/whatismusictherapy

Ayurveda & Sound Therapy

• http://bit.ly/ayurvedasoundtherapy

Sound Healing & Disease Management

• http://bit.ly/soundhealinganddisease
Recent Media Coverage -
Nada Yoga / Sound Therapy coverage by Zee Media on the Indian News Channel ZeeTV 24 Taas
(Marathi) & Times Of India.

Experience Sound Healing Meditation:

Nada Yoga | Sound Healing | Singing Bowls, Gongs & Chimes
• https://youtu.be/GxOprRrVZkI
Sound Bath featured on Times Of India -
• http://bit.ly/soundbathtoi
Nada Yoga & Sound Bath featured on Zee News -
• https://youtu.be/doayP_58rLc

Connect with our organization for more information –

• www.wellnessvibe.com
• www.bodhmarga.org

Connect with Advait for more information -

• http://bit.ly/soundscapesoundhealing
• https://www.facebook.com/soundscapejourney/
• https://www.instagram.com/soundscapejourney/
• http://yt.vu/+soundscapejourney

Contact -
Advait Danke
+919022660471, +918369843234
Thanking you for the opportunity.
Siddha Kirtan, Dnyanottar Bhakti (Wisdom & Devotion)
through Nada Yoga, Kriya Yoga & Bhakti Movement