Remember the way in which, in the past, grannies would gently drum rhythms on the belly of a child. This induces a state of relaxation in the child. In such a trance-like state, the child could learn better what the granny would intend to teach. Music has an impact upon the human body. It influences human breathing, the heart-rate, and the blood pressure.

Sometimes, absolute silence itself becomes a nuisance for the learner. In such a situation, even the mind starts its distracting whispers. In that case, instrumental music played on a stereo, on a low volume works wonders for students. The mild neutral music masks the distracting silence.

The noise in the street often disturbs a learner. Here the masking effect of instrumental music can prove very useful. Various disturbing sounds are effectively masked with the soft instrumental music. This music acts as a soothing balm to an upset mind and effectively relaxes tired nerves.

Much before this research in the USA, Lord Krishna would make the cows spell-bound by playing his musical flute. Today research reveals how playing the flute can relax the milk glands, increasing the milk production. Kings of yore would provide war music to boost the courage of fighting warriors. Martial tunes bolstered their morale and exhorted them to fight with renewed vigour.

Teenagers have different problems. Once a student faced a strange situation. Whenever he tried to concentrate on studies, his mind would wander. "The more he tried to learn his lessons, the more his mind would jump, slip and elope," revealed his anguished father. I took that student into confidence and I learnt that he was having an affair with a girl. It was a very tough job to bring him on line. He had decided to die rather than live without the "most beautiful girl."

His father fell at my feet and requested me to save his "drowning" son. I had to accept the challenge. Lovingly, I patted the boy. He agreed to listen to me. Daily, I would tell him a tale or two, of love and romance wherein the lovers had taken the step at the wrong hour of life. I convinced him how a bright career could change the scenario of his life. Cautiously, I exploited his romantic bent of mind. I told him how love has its own appropriate time in life.

Gradually, the boy started taking a little interest in studies. But the dreams about his beloved would upset his sleep at night. I gathered how a part of him was in revolt. I advised him that whenever he was disturbed by the imaginary flights about his beloved, he must not suppress that fantasy.

Last week, a relative of mine took me to an officer, to get his work done. I was simply startled when the officer left his chair to touch my feet. He was none else but the same old student of mine. I don’t know when he did his IAS!