Anand, H.J. and Ghosh, A and Navaratna, Deepti
(2026)
Rhythmic sanskrit chanting enhances phonological working memory in early childhood: Evidence from Śiva Tāṇḍava Stotra training.
ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts, 7 (10).
pp. 561-570.
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| Abstract: |
Structured linguistic recitation, such as Stotras and Shlokas have been culturally recognized to support memory development and phonological processing in young learners. This study investigates the cognitive impact of learning the Śiva Tāṇḍava Stotra, composed in Panchachamara chandas, in children aged 5–7 years over a six-week period. Objectives. We evaluated whether a six-week, thrice-weekly program of Śiva Tāṇḍava Stotra recitation improves early-childhood working memory, rhythm pulse perception, and verbatim mantra recall (“mantra span”). Methods. Thirty-two children (5–7 years) from a primary school completed baseline and post-intervention assessments forward and reverse Digit Span, a Rhythm Pulse Perception (RPP) task, and a mantra span task using tightly controlled Sanskrit syllable sequences excerpted from the Stotra. Instruction emphasized precise phonology, metrical pacing, and cumulative repetition. Results. Significant gains were observed in forward Digit Span (p < .001), mantra span (p < .001), and RPP (p = .018); reverse Digit Span showed a non-significant positive trend (p = .07). Conclusions. Findings support the hypothesis that metrically structured Sanskrit recitation can enhance domain-general working memory and rhythm skills in early childhood—consistent with evidence that mantra/chanting practices affect attention, autonomic dynamics, and neural entrainment. We interpret results via Cognitive Load Theory (CLT), proposing that Sanskrit chandas provide a “desirable difficulty” scaffold that optimizes intrinsic load (syllable structure), manages extraneous load (predictable temporal frames), and boosts germane load (schema formation for sequential auditory memory). |
| Item Type: |
Journal Paper
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| Keywords: |
Working Memory, Chanting, Cognitive Load, Phonological Loop, Cognitive Development |
| Subjects: |
School of Humanities > Cognitive Science |
| Divisions: |
Schools > Humanities |
| Date Deposited: |
06 Jul 2026 10:09 |
| Last Modified: |
06 Jul 2026 10:09 |
| Official URL: |
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| Related URLs: |
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| Funders: |
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| Projects: |
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| DOI: |
https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v7.i10s.2026.6607 |
| URI: |
http://eprints.nias.res.in/id/eprint/3411 |
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