EFFECT OF YOGIC PRACTICES AND MEDHYA RASAYANAS ON MANASA PRAKRITI, ADJUSTMENT AND AGGRESSION OF ADOLESCENT JUVENILE DELINQUENTS

Abstract

Present global scenario is full of crime and violence with an early onset. Even in India over 33,000 juveniles were arrested for various crimes in 2011 i.e. highest in last decade. Mental stress, worries, non-fulfilment of desires make people mentally ill and gets manifested in the form of aggressive and violent behavior and mal adjustment tendencies in the society which can up shoot in to delinquency. The mental abnormalities like excessive aggression and tendency of maladjustment can be included in one or other form of Manasa vikaras of Ayurveda. The Manasa Prakriti also plays a key role in these mental faculties. This requires the management in the form of adopting Yoga and ingestion of Medhya Rasayana. The present study was designed to study the beneficial and adverse effects of Medhya Rasayana and Yoga if any, on adjustment and aggressive behavior of juvenile delinquents. Further to study the Manasa Prakriti in relation to the behavior of the delinquents. A study among 60 juvenile delinquents of the Government observation home was designed, comprising of administration of four Medhya Rasayanas Mandukaparni, Yashtimadhu, Guduchi and Shankhapushpi as mentioned in Charaka Samhita and regular practice of a set of Asanas, Pranayama and meditation to control and concentrate the mind. The 60 subjects were divided into two groups with each having 30 subjects. General history, general physical examination, and systemic examinations were done to rule out any illness. Group A was administered Medhya Rasayana (Fine Powder 5gm twice daily with milk for three months.) and Group B was advocated Yogic Practices and Medhya Rasayana. The Assessment was done before and after treatment on the basis of Aggression scale, Adjustment scale and Manasa Prakriti scale. In this study on intra-group comparison both group A and B were significant with respect to Aggression and Adjustment scale, whereas with respect to Manasa Prakriti scale only group B was statistically significant. Group B treated with Yogic practices and Medhya Rasayana was found highly significant and most effective with respect to parameters in all the three tests viz. Adjustment scale, Aggression scale and Manasa Prakriti scale.