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Yoga Dissertations by MSc Students

Part I: Concept of Cosmology according to Indian Classical Texts
Part II: Effect of Integrated Yoga Module on Intelligence in School Children – A Randomized Control Study
By
Malay Sinha

ABSTRACT

Part I: Concept of Cosmology according to Indian Classical Texts

The cosmology is the origin, nature, and fate of the universe. Vedic thinkers tried to perceive interesting realities the beginning, growth and end of life, and they tried to learn the truth, which controls not only our life, but the related planets too. They alone seem to have had any clear perspective of the origin of universe, on the basis of Vedas. The universe is described Brahmäëda, and the earth a globe (golak), and with that, the stars and the Milky Way, the sun and the moon, dyow and sky. In Indian literature philosophy and sciences explained by using mythology in later stage.
The various scriptures as Åg Veda, Chändogya Upaniñat, Muëdaka Upaniñat, Bhagavad Gétä, Sämkhya, Aitareya Upaniñat, Taittirīiya Upaniñat provide an elaborate foundation for the concept, source and origin of the universe.
In this the creative process, the main idea in Indian scriptures has been to declare that the unifying principle behind multiplicity is God. Supreme Reality is God. From God, all this originates, in God, all this rests, and into God, all this is absorbed. The whole universe was in a concentrated form which is mentioned as a point, or Bindu. Out of that, explosion occurred resulting in the process of creation and preservation of the universe. The Indian philosopher alone seems to have had any perspective of the vast space and time. Vedic scriptures explain this perpetual creation and dissolution as 'Leelä', the play-like-expression of God.
In the beginning was existence alone – One only without a second. He the one, thought to himself; let me be many, let me grow forth. Thus out of Himself He projected the Universe; and having projected out of Himself the Universe, he entered into every being. He is the truth. He is self. (Chändogya Upaniñat)
There are intrigering parallels between the insight of the early Vedic theory of cosmology and those of quantum mechanics and neuroscience which dates back to at least 2000 BCE.
Hence this study aims at deeper understanding of cosmology in light of various scriptures available.

Concluding Remarks

No research is an end itself. Not even a theory is absolute. Because a piece of research realizes the limitation of human intellect. The methodological strategy, however recognizes a claim of discovery and rediscovering the truth and utilizing the same wherever possible (Prof. K.C. Das)

Vedic literature is rich in speculation relating to various aspects of the universe. Neumourous explanation about the origin and nature of the universe are put from. The Çåsti (Creation- Brahman) has no beginning in time and that each Çåsti is proceeded by Pralaya (Dissolution) and that each Pralaya by Çåsti and thus has been going on eternally. It has causal link between Pralaya and Çåsti. Also scriptural cosmology compares the process of creation and dissolution to that of breathing. The Divine Breath, which projects and enlivens the universe, is firstly expansive… then contracts, withdrawing everything into itself, the One.
To resolve the problem of origin of the universe, the concept prevalent in scriptures can potentially accommodate the major perspective of the modern sciences. The physicist Fritjof Capra explains:

“This idea of a periodically expanding and contracting universe, which involves a scale of time and space of vast proportions, has arisen not only in modern cosmology, but also in ancient Indian mythology. Experiencing the universe as an organic and rhythmically moving cosmos, the Hindus were able to develop evolutionary cosmologies which come very close to our modern scientific models. One of these cosmologies is based on the Hindu myth of Lila- the Divine play, in which Brahman transforms himself into world. Lila is a rhythmic play which goes on in endless cycles, the One becoming the many and the many returning into the one”. (The Tao of Physics by Fritjof Capra, p 198)

Vedanta does not support science’s materialistic theory of creation and the Big bang. Swami Vivekananda explains:
“… our search in the stars, the nebulae, the milky way, in the whole external universe leads to nothing, never solves the problem of life and death. The wonderful mechanism inside had to be analyzed, and it revealed to them (Åñis) the secret of the universe; nor star or sun could do it. Man has to be anatomized; not the body but the soul of man. In that soul they found answer. What was the answer they found? That behind the body, behind even the mind, there is self-existent One.” (Complete works of Swami Vi, Vol. – II , p-413. )
Einstein writes that
 “ cosmic expansion may be simply a temporary condition which will be followed at some future epoch of cosmic time by a period of contraction. The universe in this picture is a pulsating balloon in which cycles of expansion and contraction succeed each other through eternity.”(The Universe and Dr. Einstein, 102)
According to Devid Frawley:
“In the Vedic view the universe is the very breath or präëa of the absolute (Brahman). The breath of God creates the force of time on a cosmic level, just as our inhalation and exhalation creates the experience of time on an individual level. Time therefore is not a mere material force but a manifestation of Divine will and energy.

The universe of Vedic astrology and that of modern science are no longer far apart and are getting closer everyday.

Further he said, “it adds an Indic-perspective to science. It also opens the door for greater scientific study to validate this ancient wisdom.

Part II: Effect of Integrated Yoga Module on Intelligence in School Children – A Randomized Control Study

The objective of the study was to examine the effect of yoga and physical exercises on intelligence.  Sample comprised of 201 school children aged 9 to 13 years (age Mean and SD 10.72 ± 1.25), randomly divided into two groups: yoga (N=101) and control (N=100). They were participating in a residential summer camp for 10 days in the campus of SVYASA. Yoga group underwent Integrated Yoga Practices(IYP), including asanas, Suryanamaskara(sun salutation), pranayama(breath control), chanting , Bhajan etc, while the control group practiced physical exercises like jogging, Physical training breathing exercises, games, Creativity, Patriotic songs etc.  A standardized tool, Premila Group Test of Intelligence (PGTI) was used to determine the IQ scores.  Assessments were done on 1st and 10th day of the course. Standardized mean difference in all subjects showed significant improvement in IQ scores 4.47 % and -7.03 % respectively in yoga and control groups. In the yoga group, of the six components of cognitive abilities, (Analogies, Classification, Disarranged sentences, same- Opposite, Series and Best Answer) significant improvement (Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test) was found in five factors except Best Answer. In control group there was no improvement in 2 factors (Same- Opposite and Series).  Comparison between yoga and control groups (Mann-Whitney U test) showed significant difference between groups on 2 factors namely ‘Same- Opposite’ and ‘Series’. Gender effect showed no significant difference between boys and girls in both the groups. Age wise analysis showed that girls of 10 years age group had the best result in yoga group. Thus the results of this study indicate that an integrated yoga practice of 9 days in residential set up is effective in improving IQ level of school children of 9 – 13 years.

Summary and Conclusion

Keywords: Cosmology,Indian Classical Texts,Intelligence, School Children.