The Itihasa and Purana are not just factual history or stories but narratives that cover various aspects of human endeavor. They not just reveal the past but pave way for the future and guide human aspirations. While the phala sruti of these works clearly talk about the benefits that one derive by listening/reciting/reading them, it may be interesting to re-explore the phala in the modern context. Cutting edge research in the fields of psychology, neuroscience and genetics creates opportunity for this re-exploration of the benefits of this rich tradition. In this article, we look at the research happening on the neuro-cognitive benefits of narratives and how such research offers insights into the benefits of our Itihasa and Purana.
