New Delhi : In a strategic step towards expanding its international research footprint, the Sanatan Wisdom Foundation has officially rebranded its core research division from the Nada Yoga Research Council to the Nada Yoga Research Institute (NYRI). This institutional realignment marks a pivotal evolution in the Foundation’s mission to explore and validate India’s ancient sound traditions through rigorous scientific methodologies.
According to the Foundation, the decision to adopt the term “Institute” reflects a growing need for globally recognized structure and credibility as NYRI increases its collaborations with academic universities, clinical researchers, and health institutions across the world. The newly formed NYRI is envisioned as an interdisciplinary platform for the scientific study of mantra-based therapy, sound healing, and consciousness research. Its broader objective is to integrate traditional Vedic acoustics with evidence-based health frameworks, thereby reshaping the understanding of sound not just as a spiritual tool, but as a measurable, therapeutic modality.
Central to this vision is Sonic Philosophy — a conceptual framework pioneered by Devrishi, the founder of the Sanatan Wisdom Foundation. Through this lens, sound is interpreted as both a spiritual vibration and a cognitive frequency capable of influencing the human nervous system. In alignment with this framework, NYRI has also launched Svaryam, a sonic retreat program combining mantra therapy with biometric tracking to support emotional balance and mental clarity, and is developing NaadYagya, a community-based ritual platform where sacred sounds are performed live in alignment with time-cycles for collective healing.
The Institute’s research model aims to develop replicable protocols for wellness based on Vedic mantras, supported by physiological measurements such as EEG and HRV, and to publish data that can interface with contemporary neuroscience and integrative health.
Beyond sonic science, the Foundation is also leading the Sadanira Project, a civilizational ecology campaign focused on reviving the cultural and environmental consciousness around India’s rivers. Named after the ancient Sanskrit term for “eternally flowing,” the project combines ecological awareness with cultural documentation, community outreach, and educational programming. A forthcoming book, co-authored by IAS officer P. Narahari, is set to highlight the confluence of civilizational memory and environmental restoration as a core theme of the initiative.
At the heart of the Foundation’s expanding work is Devrishi, a former music composer and filmmaker who now serves as a philosopher and spiritual researcher. He is joined in leadership by Sadhana Pandey, Co-founder of the Sanatan Wisdom Foundation and Head of Cultural Initiatives, who brings a background in devotional music production and social reform, and by Vyomkesh, the Foundation’s Director, who oversees strategic collaborations, institutional partnerships, and international outreach. Together, they form a multidisciplinary leadership team committed to blending tradition with scientific and civic relevance.
Speaking on the renaming of NYRI, Devrishi emphasized that institutional language plays a vital role in building scientific bridges and ensuring that ancient systems of knowledge find credible footing in contemporary research ecosystems.
As the Sanatan Wisdom Foundation expands its activities from mantra research to environmental revival, the transformation of the Nada Yoga Research Council into NYRI marks a significant milestone in its journey. It reinforces the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to cultural integrity, scientific inquiry, and global relevance — offering a renewed framework where ancient sound wisdom meets the demands of the 21st century.
