Handbell sounds are an integral part of Hindu rituals. The handbell (Ghanti), Conch (Sankha), and Ghanta are the three most common sound-generating instruments or devices that are part of puja, or prayers to God. This post is devoted to the scientific reason behind ringing handbells during a Hindu puja. The scientific reason behind Conch is explained elsewhere.
A Hindu puja is conducted with the help of the sound of conch (Shankh) and or the constant ringing of the bell by the priest (poojari) during Pūjā while waving of light, burning incense, or arati in front of the deity. Handbells (“ghanti” in Hindi) are vigorously played by the priest in the beginning, during, and at the end of puja. For Hindus, the bell sounds, along with the conch blowing during puja, are considered very auspicious.
Handbell Sounds Integeral Part of Hindu Puja Since Time Immemorial!
The use of handbells by Hindus in pujas and prayers, whether in temples or the house, is as old as the history of Sanatan Dharma (vaidik period). The earliest instruction is found in the Skanda Purana, which is considered written much before 8CE (source: Hans Bakker 2014, pp. 3-4 with footnotes, mentioned in Wikipedia). Below is the question-answer format excerpt (translated version ) of Section 5 – Mārgaśīrṣa-māhātmya of Skanda Purana has Chapter 6 – The Fruit of Offering Tulasī Twigs and Sandalpaste where VV 1-30 describe the importance of bells in Viṣṇu worship, of which they form an integral part.
Brahmā said:
1. O Lord, tell me everything accurately. O Lord Acyuta, what is the efficacy of sounding a bell[1] and of (applying) sandal paste? Tell me the fruit thereof.
Śrī Bhagavān said:
2; O Lord of Devas, listen to the fruit obtained by that person who sounds a bell at the time of performing ablution and worship.……….
18-22. Again I shall recount the (the greatness of a) bell. Listen, O my son. Where a bell with my name inscribed therein is kept in front, and where the idol of Viṣṇu is worshipped, know, O my son, that I am present there. He who sounds a bell with the Garuḍa symbol engraved therein at the time of (burning) incense, waving of lights, ablution, worship or application of unguents in front of me, shall attain the merit, O dear one, of ten thousand sacrifices, donation of ten thousand cows (as a religious gift) and a hundred observances of Cāndrāyaṇa for each of those rites.
Even if the worship does not conform to the procedural injunctions, it shall be fruitful to those men. Delighted with the sound of the bell, I grant them my own region.
23. If the bell that is marked with Garuḍa and the discus is sounded, it destroys the fear of crores of births.
24. Everyday, when I see a bell marked with Garuḍa, O Lord of Devas, I become joyful like a poor man who gets wealth.
25. If anyone fixes on top of the pole holding a bell an excellent discus or my favourite Garuḍa, all the three worlds have been (as if) fixed by him.
26. A man may be contaminated by crores of sins; but, if at the time of death he hears the sound of a bell (imprinted) with discus, the servants of Yama are frustrated.
27. O son, all the defects and sins perish by the sound of a bell. Devas, Rudras and Pitṛs all become gay celebrating a festival as it were.
28. Even if Garuḍa and discus (symbols) are not present, I grant my favour to the devotees on account of the sound of a bell. There is no doubt about it.
29. If there is a bell fitted (imprinted) with Garuḍa, there is no fear of serpents, or fire or lightning in that house.
30. If there is no bell in anyone’s house nor conch in front of me, how can he be known as a devotee of the Lord? How can he be (my) favourite?
Was Handbell Invented in India?
Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma) origin is even earlier than written records of the Vedic period. The temple bell, conch use and handbell ringing during prayers to God are ritual practices for thousands of years. The excerpt from Skanda Purana clearly describes ringing a bell while praying the God.
This proves that bells and handbells have been manufactured and used in Bharatvarsha (India) since immemorial. As such, it is laughable that some historians credit the development of the modern handbell, or “handbell”, to brothers Robert and William Cor in Aldbourne, Wiltshire, England, between 1696 and 1724[source: wikipedia]. It is just like filing a patent application by some US university scientists on the wound healing properties of “turmeric “, which was foiled by the alert scientific community of India. Read the story.
Science Behind the Handbell Sounds During Puja.
This post is not on the phenomena of sound and its relationship with Hinduism, but on the limited topic “Does the practice of ringing the bell during puja have scientific reasons?
After doing deep research on this subject, I have little doubt that, like many other health-related practices, this one is based on a well-thought-out plan of Sages (Rishi, Munies) to fix a religious routine that automatically benefits the followers. In other words, there was a specific reason—scientific and psychological- that the sound of the handbell and conch are integrated into Hindu puja and ceremonies.
Power of Handbell Sounds on Human Life
Sound is the effect of vibration. Modern science has conducted many experiments and recorded the effect of vibration on our brain and body. Here is a list of findings :
Reduction in Anxiety: In one study, it was found that Music was effective in reducing anxiety and pain in children undergoing medical and dental procedures.[refer Klassen et al., 2008].
Regulates blood: Research has shown that blood flows more easily when music is played. It can also reduce heart rate, lower blood pressure, decrease cortisol (stress hormone) levels and increase serotonin and endorphin levels in the blood.
Enhances cognitive recovery: A study concluded that music listening enhances cognitive recovery and mood after a middle cerebral artery stroke. [study ]
Reduces stress: Research has found that listening to music can relieve stress by triggering biochemical stress reducers.
Triggers dopamine and elevates mood. BBC quoted the study conducted by NatureScience: “The study, reported in Nature Neuroscience, found that the chemical was released at moments of peak enjoyment.”[BBC report]
It relieves symptoms of depression. When you’re feeling down and depressed, music can help you reduce stress. This is what a team of researchers at the University of Vienna has concluded in their paper published on the JAMA Network Open site that listening to music when stressed can boost a person’s mood and help them relax.
Bring back memories: Scientists claim that their studies have found music very helpful for Alzheimer’s or dementia patients.[washingtonpost article has quoted many scientists]
Music through handbell and conch during Hindu puja and prayers
What modern science has discovered about the goodness of music must be known to Hindu sages. So, they set the rules for prayers and puja so that the priest and all attendees benefit from the musical chanting of the mantra.
It is not hard to visualise that the Hindu God is the last resort for solving all kinds of problems faced by His devotees. So, many stressed devotees throng the temple and do puja (prayers) in their homes. At the time of puja, when they ring the handbell and conch, they benefit from the good effect of sound emanating from the bell and conch automatically. The vibration of sound lessens the stress and anxiety of the attendees.
Hindu rituals include performing homa aarti, chanting mantras, ringing bells, and blowing conch. The sound of bells, conch, and the mantra of pooja create a very pious religious atmosphere along with a musical experience for the attendees of the religious ceremony. Thus, Hindu puja (prayers) attendees get mental health benefits without knowing the actual scientific reasons! Did you read why saffron colour was chosen one by Hindus?