"The Healing Power of Ragas: Harmonizing Mind, Body, and Seasons"

The Character and Influence of Notes on Raag-Raagini and Their Impact

The ancient Acharyas, or music maestros, conducted intensive research on swar (notes) and Raag-Raaginis, analyzing their impact on the human mind and emotions. They concluded that Raag-Raaginis should be performed according to their designated times and seasons. This alignment enhances the Navarasa (nine poetic sentiments) in accordance with the applicable notes, producing a profound influence on both mind and body. It has been scientifically proven that good music can significantly aid in the recovery from diseases and mental agonies.

Every human possesses Vata (wind/rheumatism), Pitta (bile), and Kapha (cough/phlegm) doshas, which can sometimes lead to illness. The seven notes—Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni—when properly rendered through the ragas, provide peace and relief to these doshas within the body. The origin of these notes from the body's chakras and their corresponding characteristics are detailed below:

Notes and Their Characteristics

Note	Chakra	Sound.	Characteristics
Sa	Muladhara (Tip of Spine)	Peacock	Yogi’s eternal state
Re	Swadhisthana (Navel)	Papiha/Dove	Half awakened, sluggish
Ga	Manipura (Stomach)	Goat	Bewildered, helpless
Ma	Anahata (Heart)	Crow	Grave, noble, powerful
Pa	Vishuddha (Throat)	Koel	Brilliant, jolly, well-bred lady
Dha	Ajna (Between Eyebrows)	Frog/Horse	Robust athlete, lustfulness
Ni	Sahasrara (Top of Skull)	Elephant	Piercing appeal like a sharp blade

Notes, Symptoms, Qualities, and Their Impact

Note	Symptoms	Quality	Astro Characters	Colors	Sentiments	Nava Rasas
Sa	Bile	Satwagun	Ravi Graha	Seven	Hard	Adbhut, Roudra
Re	Wind	Saptwagun	Chandra	White	Salty	Adbhut, Roudra
Ga	Bile	Tamo	Mangal	Red/Saffron	Bitter	Pathetic
Ma	Wind, Bile, Kapha	Rajo	Budh	Green	Hard, Soft	Laughing, Erotic
Pa	Kapha	Satwa	Guru	Yellow	Sweet	Laughing, Erotic
Dha	Wind, Kapha	Rajo	Shukra	Black	Acidic	Bibatsa, Bhayanak
Ni	Wind	Tamo	Shani	Black	Pathetic	Pathetic

Time Cycle of Ragas

The 24-hour cycle of ragas is divided into three sections based on the applicable notes:

1. Re-Dha Suddha (Natural)

2. Timings: 7-10 AM and 7-10 PM

3. Ragas: Bilawal, Deskar, Bhupali, Gaud Sarang, Khamaj, Kalyan, etc.

4. Re-Dha Komal (Flat)

5. Timings: 4-7 AM and 4-7 PM

6. Ragas: Bairav, Kalingra, Jogia, Lalit, Ramkeli, Shree, Marwa, Poorvi, Puriyadhanashree, etc.

7. Ga-Ni Komal (Flat)

8. Timings: 10 AM-4 PM and 10 PM-4 AM

9. Ragas: Todi, Ashavari, Bhairavi, Kafi, Deshi, Patdeep, etc.

Seasonal Ragas

According to ancient music maestros, specific ragas are prescribed for each season to evoke positive feelings:

• Summer: Deepak, Deshi, Kedar (Nature: Pitta)

• Rainy Season: Megh, Malhar (Nature: Vata)

• Autumn: Malkauns (Nature: Vata, Pitta)

• Post-Autumn/Hemant: Shree (Nature: Kapha)

• Winter: Bhairav (Nature: Kapha)

• Spring: Hindol, Vasant, Bahar (Nature: Kapha)

Seasonal Raag Mala (Hindi Composition)

Summer (Grishma)

The noble hero comes,

Deepak (raga) is lit (2 times),

Along with it, Kedara shines.

Rainy Season (Varsha)

The clouds rumble deeply and gravely,

Malhar (raga) cools the body.

Autumn (Sharad)

Overjoyed, thrilled, and steady in movement,

Malkauns (raga) appears in the Sharad season.

Pre-winter (Hemant)

Divine figures sing the auspicious Ananda,

In Hemant, there is hope.

Winter (Shishir)

Shishir Bhairav, calm and profound,

Displays the essence of devotion.

Spring (Basant)

In Basant, the swing of Hindol moves, and the koel (cuckoo) sings,

Spring arrives in the gardens.

Such cycles revolve,

Happiness and sorrow, seasons and ragas, in the temple of the mind.

This Raag Mala is composed of twelve ragas, corresponding to the sequence of the seasons from summer to spring.

Conclusion

If vocal or instrumental music is presented and heard according to the time prescribed by our predecessors, the adverse effects of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha (rheumatism, bile, phlegm problems) are minimized. The influence of the ragas' notes keeps the heart normal, increases concentration levels, and cools the mind, which is beneficial for health