SOUNDS AND WORDS

Since the discussion is hot here on vibration of sounds I am just taking small bits out of something else that I am writing as these bits refer to the topic in discussion, namely sound vibrations. Voila what I have written there runs like this

“Similarly habitual vocabulary also has a subtle but powerful ability to condition our mental system. Vocabulary in essence primarily is the sound structure that create specific vibrations, only then the etymologically evolved denotations and usage and context based acquisition of connotations. So, as primarily vocabulary or word referred to certain specific structures of sounds which evoked particular feelings when uttered irrespective of its prevalence and popularity.

Many ancient religions, which alluded to more the occult and esoteric aspects of approaching spiritual enlightenment as a primary activity of religion before the onslaught of priesthood sponsored ritualism, gave preference to sounds and addressed God, The Supreme Power, The Ubiquitous Phenomenon of Manifestation of Supreme Energy etc as word. The vibrations of sounds out of which vocabulary evolved took on its stride the appropriate meaning and settled as words.

In Vedas God is referred to as Nadha Brahman[ embodiment of sound-nadha=sound, Brahman=embodiment of creative energy or divine spirit] and worship of god is referred as Nadha Upasana[(Worship of Godthrough sound)

An interesting description of how Nada is caused in the human

body is furnished by Sarangadeva in  his ‘Sangita Ratnakara’ (13th

Century) and other writers. The Atma or

soul, desiring to speak or sing, stirs the mind; the mind strikes the

fire abiding in the body; the fire strikes the wind; the wind abiding

in Brahmagranthi, rising along the upward path, manifests sound in

the navel, the heart, the throat, the head and the mouth.

Highly abstruse descriptions of the source and the nature of sound

are found in Matanga’s Brihaddesi (5th - 6th Century), in Yoga

treatises and Tantra works. Sarangadeva, who synthesizes all these

doctrines in his Sangita Ratnakara, has elaborately discussed the

divine nature of the causal sound. He says that when the causal

sound manifests at the level of the heart, it is known as Mandra; at

the level of the throat as Madhya and at the base of the tongue as

Taara. The three levels are known as Brahma, Vishnu and

Mahesvara. Such descriptions have a deep meaning and spiritual

significance. The philosophical foundation of music rests upon the

solid rock of the realization of the immortal soul of music, namely

Nada.[ T. S. Parthasarathy is a musicologist and scholar.

He is a Secretary of the Music Academy, Madras.

- Tattvaloka : X( 3) Aug/Sep ’87,

pp. 11-14]

In the Bible too Saint John, who is credited as  forerunner or precursor of Jesus and of whom Jesus is said to be a disciple and who is supposed to have baptized Jesus declares , “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”[ Saint John1:1]

That‘s why ancient languages and systems like the old Sanskrit, Hebrew and Latin Mantras [a collection of specific acoustic structures imbued with esoteric and mystical significance where prescribed to be uttered repeatedly by humans for various benefits and the science of how sounds play a vital role in all life forms is a very vast subject well documented by many great scientists as well as philosophers. In fact in Sanskrit language each alphabet if and when properly pronounced is supposed to stimulate specific neurons in the brain. Guy Murchie writes extensively based on scientific documents and deep perception about the impact and importance of sounds in his works MUSIC OF THE SPHERES, SONG OF THE SKY and THE SEVEN MYSTERIES OF LIFE in which the final chapter is about the ‘Musical essence of the Universe. Simply shifting your vocabulary can shift your entire outlook.

About Sanskrit research has shown that the phonetics of this language has roots in various energy points of the body and reading, speaking or reciting Sanskrit stimulates these points and raises the energy levels, whereby resistance against illnesses, relaxation to mind and reduction of stress are achieved.

Sanskrit is the only language, which uses all the nerves of the tongue. By its pronunciation energy points in the body are activated that causes the blood circulation to improve. This, coupled with the enhanced brain functioning and higher energy levels, ensures better health. Blood Pressure, diabetes, cholesterol etc. are controlled. (Ref: American Hindu University after constant study)

Isn’t the word UNIVERSE itself is made of UNI=single VERSE= vibration of sounds  forming a verse. In Sanskrit it is Ekasya Kaavyam = the single verse

Bramadam which is usually referred to as the word for universe in Sanskrit actually refers to multiverse as Bramadam is not amenable to any measurements whereas universe can be conveyed in some measurements though not necessarily physically anyone had ever measured.

I remember vaguely one Indian women scientist came up with a detailed research in the late  80s , I read an article in the London Times about this, that she explained how through detection of sound waves of certain chemicals one could detect bombs and land mines from far away . Now you go to google search and type ‘detecting explosives through sound waves’ you will get at least 1,060.000 results all very useful and throws lot of light on the on this subject of sound science.

Vedic concept on role of Music in our welfare

गायत्रेण त्वा छन्दसा सादयामि त्रैष्टुभेन त्वा छन्दसा सादयामि जागतेन

 त्वा छन्दसा सादयाम्यानुष्टुभेन त्वा छन्दसा सादयामि पाङ्क्तेन त्वा

 छन्दसा सादयामि।।Yaju 13.53।।

Vedas assign different music scales called Chhandas छ्न्द: for

specific aspects of thought and actions in life. Western scientific

musicologists  also recognize the  role of different music in

controlling human temperaments and behavior .However unlike

 Vedas western musicologists have so far not been able to discover

individual  musical scales and notations with invoking such specific

responses.

गायत्रेण त्वा छन्दसा सादयामि

गायत्री द्वारा सब भूतों को दर्शा कर स्तुति गान से सुरक्षा

गायत्री

रजनी(रे) ब्राह्मण

भैरवी seriousness, brings stability of mind

मसा

सा रे॒ ग॒ म प ध नि

त्रैष्टुभेन त्वा छन्दसा सादयामि

त्रिष्टुप्

उत्तरायता(ग) क्षत्री

कल्याण Bhakti Ras

गध

सा रे ग म। प ध नि

जागतेन त्वा छन्दसा सादयामि

जगती से सर्वप्रेरक गति देने वाली काल शक्ति

जगती

अभिरुद्गता(नि) वैश्य

बिलावल happiness

धग

सा रे ग म प ध नि

अनुष्टुभेन त्वा छन्दसा सादयामि

अनुष्टुप्

उत्तरमन्द्रा(सा)

काफी

पसा

सा रे ग॒ म प ध नि॒

पाङ्क्तेन त्वा छन्दसा सादयामि

पंक्ति

मत्सरीकृता(प)

आसावरी making effort

धग

सा रे ग॒ म प ध॒ नि॒

                       

 

Raga: melodic scales

Ragas have a direct relationship to human moods and the following are the connections between Ragas and feeling

1.  Soohi – joy and separation

2.  Bilaaval – happiness

3.  Gaund – strangeness, surprise, beauty

4.  Sri – satisfaction and balance

5.  Maajh – loss, beautification

6.  Gauri – seriousness

7.  Aasa – making effort

8.  Gujri – satisfaction, softness of heart, sadness

9.  Devgandhari – no specific feeling but the Raag has a softness

10.                Bihaagra – beautification

11.                Sorath – motivation

12.                Dhanasari – inspiration, motivation

13.                Jaitsree – softness, satisfaction, sadness

14.                Todi – this being a flexible Raag it is apt for communicating many feelings

15.                Bhairaagi – sadness, (The Gurus have, however, used it for the message of *Bhakti)

16.                Tilang – this is a favourite Raag of Muslims. It denotes feeling of beautification and yearning.

17.                Raamkali – calmness

18.                Nat Narayan – happiness

19.                Maali Gaura – happiness

20.                Maaru – giving up of cowardice

21.                Tukhari – beautification

22.                Kedara – love and beautification

23.                Bhairav – seriousness, brings stability of mind

24.                Basant – happiness

25.                Sarang – sadness

26.                Malaar – separation

27.                Jaijawanti – viraag

28.                Kalyaan – Bhakti Ras

29.                Vadhans – vairaag, loss (that is why Alahniya is sung in this Raag when someone passes away)

30.                Parbhati – Bhakti and seriousness

31.                Kaanra – Bhakti and seriousness

Does Music and Lyrical Content Influence Human Behavior?

By Kevin C. Liljequist

Music wakes us up in the morning, makes us want to dance, soothes us when we are feeling sad, and gets on some folks nerves in the elevator. From infancy to adulthood music is an important part of our lives. Mothers sing lullabies to babies, toddlers and children play "ring around the rosy," and teenagers become absorbed in songs they believe help better define them during their rocky transition into adulthood. Music can summon a wide range of emotions, most of which are wonderful. Yet there is some music that communicates harmful health messages, especially when it reaches a vulnerable audience. Music is but one part of our popular culture. Whatever impact music has on behavior is bound to be complex and variant. The best way to determine what that impact is, what influence violent lyrics exert, and how such lyrics fit into the impact of popular entertainment is to encourage research, debate, and discussion. This kind of public issue demands a public inquiry.

We know music by itself has an effect on people. From low chords to high chords, from fast beats to slow beats, music has an impact on behavior. Music in general tends to reduce or delay fatigue (Diserens 260). Music has been proven to increase muscular endurance (Diserens 274). Music has no definite effect on precision or accuracy of movement, if the rhythm is not adapted to the rhythm of the work (Diserens 261). Music has been shown to reduce accuracy in typewriting and handwriting, the results being shown in a increased number of errors (Diserens 262). Music can speed up such voluntary activities as typewriting and handwriting (Diserens 263). Music can accelerate respiration (Diserens 271). Music has also been proven to manipulate electrical conductivity in the human body (Diserens 274).

Today's music and lyrical content have undergone dramatic changes since the introduction of rock and roll more than forty years ago. These changes have become an issue of vital interest and concern for society in general. During the past four decades, music and lyrical content have become increasingly explicit with references to sex, drugs, and violence. The anti-social themes common in popular music have compelled some adults to rally against it, especially heavy metal and rap. If parents in the fifties didn't like Elvis' gyrating hips, those same people would be astounded at how rapidly we've reached the "anything goes" mentality. With the advent of MTV and VH-1, not only do we get to listen to violent lyrics, but we also get to see it acted out in full color. Historically, there has been a distrust of youth oriented music.

Twenty-five centuries ago, Plato said, "Any musical innovation is full of danger to the whole state, and ought to be prohibited" (Ballard 47). In a book I am reading on Abraham Lincoln, the author states, "who writes the nation's songs shapes the nation's souls" (qtd. in Temple 240). I think if this is not true in whole, it is certainly true in part.

Heavy metal lyrics often have themes of alienation, retribution, and angst (Ballard 476). The lyrics contain references to sex, drug use, suicide, Satanism, and other violence. From a listeners standpoint the lyrics are loud and the music is guitar driven. The lyrics are sometimes hard to understand and open to interpretation. Rap lyrics are chanted in cadence. Rap lyrics are accompanied by rhythmic music that may include scratching or spinning. Scratching is dragging a phonograph needle across a record. The lyrics of rap music contain objectionable language, often relating to the problems of urban life and include themes of sex, drug use, misogyny, or violence (Fishoff 805). My concern is not with popular music, or even with a particular genre, such as heavy metal or rap. My concern is with those songs that glorify violence, racism, murder, mayhem, and condone the abuse of women. I am not emphasizing any type of censorship, but I am emphasizing some type of responsibility or citizenship. Music is important to this culture and it's identity. Music helps define social and sub-cultural boundaries. Today's culture face far more difficulties and dangers than there counterparts did just a generation ago. Over the last thirty years, violent juvenile crime has jumped by more that five hundred percent (United States Senate, Committee on Governmental Affairs 1998).

Teen suicide has tripled. Unwed teen pregnancy has skyrocketed. Casual drug use among teens has jumped nearly fifty percent over the last four years alone (United States Senate, Committee on Governmental Affairs 1998). A wide majority of adults surveyed in a 1997 report from Public Agenda, "Kids these days: What Americans really think about the next generation," decried sex and violence in the media as threatenin. to the well being of young people.

Till recently no studies showed cause and effect relationship between music and lyrical content influencing behavior. Now more than one-thousand scientific studies and reviews conclude that significant exposure to violent music and lyrical content increase the risk of aggressive behavior in certain children and adolescents (American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Public Education 342). The explicit lyrics desensitize the listener to violence and give the impression that the world is a meaner place than it really is (American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Public Education 341).

Today's teenagers spend four to five hours a day listening to music or watching it on television (American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Communications 1219). A survey of 14 to 16 year olds in ten different southeastern cities showed that the time being spent listening to music was on an average of forty hours per week (American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Communications 1219). One Swedish study found that adolescents who developed an early interest in violent music were more likely to be influenced by their peers and less influenced by their parents (American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Communications 1219). If teens are spending more time tuned into music, they are spending less time with their parents. A Carnegie Foundation Study found that the average teen spends only twenty minutes a day alone in conversation with his or her mom, and less than five minutes alone with dad (United States Senate, Committee on Governmental Affairs 1998).

The average American teen spends far more time listening to music than listening to mom or dad. The average American teen is spending more time alone with music, with less parental oversight and involvement. I think it is appropriate to assume tha. prolonged exposure to explicit lyrics during the formative teen years could have an impact on ones attitude and assumptions, and thus decisions and behavior. Understanding the nature and extent of the influence of violence in music may be the first step towards better addressing the problems plaguing our youth, and our best hope for ensuring a more civil society and helping our young people.

The average young viewer is exposed to fourteen thousand sexual references each year, yet only a handful provide an accurate portrayal of responsible sexual behavior or accurate information about birth control, abstinence, or the risks of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Public Education 342). In a study done by Harvard University, five-hundred and eighteen videos were examined. Seventy-six video's showed acts of interpersonal violence. There were six acts of violence per two to three minute long segments. There were a total of four-hundred and sixty-two shootings, stabbings, punching, and kicking'. (Pattison 164). There were applications of hypo-dermic needles, priming, and other anti-social behaviors (Pattison 164). Other themes included Satanism, suicide, gay-bashing, substance abuse, sexual violence, etc. (Pattison 165). In the fashion side of the music industry, half-skirts and mini-skirts were prevalent. For the guys, afros and the tough-guy, slender but muscular look was portrayed (Pattison 167).

Recent best-selling albums have included graphic descriptions of murder, torture, and rape. For example, Nine Inch Nails released "Big Man with a Gun" with the following lyrics:

"I am a big man / yes I am / and I have a big gun / got me a big ole dick and I like to have fun / held against your forehead / I'll make you suck it / maybe I'll put a hole in your head / you know just for the fuck of it / I'm every inch a man / I'll show you somehow / me and my fucking gun / nothing can stop me now / shoot shoot shoot shoot" (The Downward Spiral, Reznor 1994).

Marilyn Manson released "The Reflecting God" with the following lyrics:

"Who said date rape isn't kind / the housewife I will beat / I slit my teenage wrist / each thing I show you is a piece of my death / shoot shoot shoot motherfucker / no salvation / no forgiveness / this is beyond your experience/ forgiveness" (Antichrist Superstar, Manson 1994).

Given that the average teen listens to music around four to five hours a day, it appears young fans of such music will spend a good chunk of their formative years tuning into messages of violence and hate.

If all this is not bad enough, the music recording industry has been investigated by the F.T.C. into whether it is marketing this explicit content to the most popular teen venues in all mass media. The commissions review of ad placements revealed no change in industry practices since a September 2000 report investigating their marketing practices (Federal Trade Commission, December 2001). Marketing documents for thirteen explicit content labeled recording included plans for extensive advertising in the most popular teen venues in television, radio, print, and online media (Federal Trade Commission, December 2001).

Just before the report was issued, the Recording Industry Association of America had recommended that recording companies not advertise explicit content labeled recordings in media outlets with a majority audience under the age of seventeen. Shortly after the release of that report the Recording Industry Association of America withdrew that recommendation. In the music industry's view, advertising targeted to all ages is consistent with parental advisory labeling program which, unlike the rating programs for movies and electronic games, does not specifically designate an age for which labeled music may be inappropriate (Federal Trade Commission, December 2001).

I believe music lyrics have an impact when illustrated in music videos. According to content analysis, up to seventy-five percent of concept music videos contain sexually suggested material (American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Communications 1221). Since teenagers spend four to five hours a day listening to or watching music videos, I believe that music will in some way influence them. Many teens already copy fashion styles that they see on their favorite music artist. For some teenagers, music is just music, but for others it is a way to enhance their mood that they are already in, which can lead to negative results. Kids should be aware of the negative effects that music can bring, as well as the positive effects. Parents should have insight on what their kids are listening to and why they choose to listen to a particular type of music. The music video industry should be encouraged to produce videos and public service messages with positive themes about relationships, racial harmony, drug avoidance, nonviolence, sexual abstinence, pregnancy prevention, and avoidance of sexually transmitted diseases. Performers should be encouraged to serve as positive role models for children and teenagers. Although music usually does not directly cause violence, it encourages its audience through suggestive lyrics and images.

Subodh Kumar,
C-61 Ramprasth,
Ghaziabad-201011
Mobile-9810612898

Maharshi Dayanand Gosamwardhan Kendra , Delhi-96

Shri MataJi Goushala, Barsanaa (Mathura) U.P.

http://subodh-vedainspirations.blogspot.com
http://subodh-cowsinindia.blogspot.com

Science is belief in the ignorance of Experts- Richard Feynmann 

  Also read the link below

From http://www.tentmaker.org/Dew/Dew8/D8-WordStudy-Universe.html

Word Study: Universe

By Gary Amirault

---

A couple of years ago, Carole Forde sent me an encouraging letter. In it was a little tidbit I would like to share with you, and perhaps add a little extra. She, like myself, likes to do word studies.

"I never fully realized my love of language until I came to know the Lord 20 years ago this November. I never saw the 'Word' in the fullness of the Christ-Light I do today. One tidbit from the Lord's table you might enjoy chewing over is one He shared with me several years ago. Scripture clearly teaches that "The Word is God" (John 1:1) and that 'absolutely NOTHING was made except by Him.' (John 1:3) Also that 'We are His Works, and were created in Christ Jesus' (Eph. 2:10) Who is 'The Word' that is God! And since all the known creation of God is encompassed in the word, UNIVERSE, it is more than interesting that the word UNIVERSE comes from two primitive roots: UNI, meaning 'one' and VERSA, meaning 'BODY OF WORDS'! Therefore, the Lord's entire creation is called: 'ONE BODY OF WORDS'! But with its Creator being named 'WORD,' this should not be surprising. P.S. 'Verse' also stems from another root, 'versus,' as in a court decision (i.e. Smith versus Smith) and means literally 'being turned toward'; thus making the word, UNIVERSE, also mean 'ONE BEING TURNED TOWARD."

When someone sends me something, before sharing it, I usually try to check it out myself to see if I come up with the same thing. I went to the Dictionary of Word Origins by John Ayto which said:

"Universe denotes etymologically 'turned into one,' hence 'whole, indivisible.' It goes back ultimately to Latin universus 'whole, entire,' a compound adjective formed from unus 'one' and versus, the past participle vertere 'turn.' Its neuter form, universum, was used as a noun meaning the 'whole world' (based on the model of Greek to holon 'the whole'), and this passed into English via Old French univers. The Latin derivative universalis gave English universal."

The early believers called themselves "Catholic." In the Apostle's Creed, we find the term "the holy Catholic Church."(the word for church would have been "ecclesia."). The word has taken a bad turn due to what Roman Catholicism has done in that name. There are other denominations besides the Roman Catholic church which uses the term "Catholic" to describe themselves. The Polish Catholic Church is an example.

The Word, of which all is created, said He would draw (drag in the Greek) all mankind (pantas in the Greek) unto Himself. All these words indicate that He will do just that "turn all toward being one." Many Christians believe as the Babylonians believed, that the universe would be divided into two, good and evil, each eternally separated. Eventually, Christians will be delivered from this double-minded, double vision, and see clearly that "Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross." (Col. 1:15-20) Eight times the word "all" appears in this passage--the number of a "new beginning," the number of Jesus Christ. Yet most of us in Christendom still have a hard time with "all." But one day we will all be one, whether we believe it or not, we cannot escape "The Word," the "Universe," Jesus Christ.