This newsbreak datelined 3rd May 2020 disclosed the launch of a 4-month study to investigate the role of remote multi-denominational prayer on clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients as prescribed by the National Institute of Health, USA. Half of the patients, randomly chosen, will receive a "universal" prayer offered in five denominational forms -- Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism.
Closer home, did pandemics like this ever prevail in previous yugas? Yoga Vasishta, the epic conversation between the Sage and Prince Ram has the clues.The Sage narrates the story of the demoness Karkati who lived on the northern slopes of the Himalayas, the Sino-Mangolian region. She looked like a mountain-sized doll and her mind was always occupied by the ways to satisfy her hunger! She performed severe penance and secured a boon from Lord Brahma by which she could transform herself into a living needle –Suchika or a pain causing virus. She would mingle with Prana Vayu afflicting people with diseases related to heart, lungs and the spleen. Her numerous hiding places. included dust and dirt on the ground, unclean fingers, places where flies abound, in places bereft of healthy trees, people with unhealthy habits, in open sewers, in rest houses used by travellers!
Yet she was always apprehensive about entering the bodies of a large number of people who are protected by Gods by virtue of their worship and prayers.
It would be interesting to see the outcome of this new study!
