Study Protocol of "Vishwa Prarthana Chanting" for Mental Wellbeing in General Population

A pilot study of Vishwa Prarthana chanting, a practice propounded by Sadguru Shri. Wamanrao Pai, showed popularity and empirical positive effects for mental wellbeing and happiness. The authors describe a planned registered trial to scientifically evaluate this chanting practice, presenting the study protocol including rationale, design, methodology, follow-up, statistical tests, and therapeutic aspects of chanting described in Ayurveda. The work highlights that common mental health conditions like anxiety, fear, depression are often neglected, and that India ranks low on the global happiness index despite a rich cultural heritage of practices like mantra, meditation, and prayer, which have limited scientific evidence.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Pursuit of happiness (Sukha) has been the universal endeavor of mankind which is rooted in the state of mental wellbeing. Common mental health conditions like anxiety, fear, obsession, irrational behavior, depression, hostility are stumbling blocks in achieving mental well -being and are commonly neglected. India stands at low rank in global happiness index in spite of having a rich heritage of religion, tradition and culture. The common people widely practice multiple modalities like Mantra, Meditation, Prayer, Guided Imagery, listening spiritual discourse, reading religious texts to achieve mental well -being, although having its limited scientific evidence. Pilot study of "Vishwa Prarthana chanting" propounded by Sadguru Shri. Wamanrao Pai, showed it's popularity in masses and empirical positive effects to achieve mental well -being and to become happy. It has to be scientifically evaluated by method of structured trials and need peer reviewed publication for greater acceptance in scientific fraternity. We have initiated a registered trial to evaluate the practice of Vishwa Prarthana chanting for mental wellbeing and intend to present the study protocol for the same with its rationale, study design, methodology, follow up, statistical tests to be applied, therapeutic aspect of chanting described in Ayurveda and expected outcome.