EFFECT OF MUSIC ON THE FOETUS

The foetus responds to sounds from the 24^th week of pregnancy, in the form of changes in heart rate and breathing patterns. According to Whitewill, a psychotherapist, the foetus gets the initial comprehension of language when in the womb. The following observations are recorded in literature on the impact of music on the foetus.

01.   There is a definite link between music and foetus

02.   Music produces some sort of relaxation for the mother and the baby

03.   The mother must enjoy the sound of music. Otherwise, it may not have positive effects on the baby

04.   When a lullaby is sung by the pregnant mother, the “unborn baby” is not only moved by the love in her voice, but will also be able to remember the sound of that music in its later years

05.   Apart from this, it also helps in the physical, mental and emotional growth of the baby

06.   A mother is reported to have heard her son humming a particular tune when two years old because he had heard it while he was in the womb

07.   When a song is sung, there is an appropriate response in the form of movement inside the womb. It also energies the mother and elevates her mood.

There is an interesting anecdote in our Hindu mythology to prove that there is a positive effect of music on the unborn baby.

Prahalada in his mother’s womb (as quoted in Bhagavatam)

Kayadhu, wife of Hiranyakashipu was pregnant with Prahalada. She was under the care of sage Narada during her pregnancy. Narada gave Kayadhu shelter and enlightened her about praying to God. Kayadhu became a devotee of Vishnu. The sage would sing Lord Vishnu’s “Hari Nama sangeerthanam” recite Vedas and read sthothras to Kayadhu, even when she was asleep. As a result, even as a bay growing in the womb, Prahalada, an “asura kumaran”, turned into an ardent worshipper of Vishnu.

Prahalada is called “Garba Sreeman” or “karuvil Thiruvudayan” because of the fact that he was constantly hearing the divine chants during his foetal life.

EFFECT OF MUSIC ON ANIMALS:

There is a “Gosala” in Triplicane at Chennai. It houses about 20 cows. It is a practice followed in the gosala even today that when the cows are milked in the vening, “Krishna Venughana” is played, and one can appreciate the cows responding happily to the divine tunes.