Sharma wasn’t being self-serving at the premier science event. Sharma, additional commissioner from Kanpur, was merely trying to show how, if done correctly, shankh-naad (blowing of the conch) could cure psychosomatic disorders. Because. “most problems in universe have simple solutions”, said Sharma, attributing the quote to Albert Einstein.

The benefits are manifold. The routine provides “excellent exercise for rectal muscles, prostrate, urinary tract, lower abdomen, diaphragm, chest and neck muscles,” Sharma said at a symposium on indigenous approach to psychology. Lungs expand, neck muscles stretch beneficially, and brain gets nourished with all that blood flow. There is so much blood circulation that it will turn “white hair to black”, he claimed, as the audience consisting renowned psychologists, professors and students gasped.

But the biggest benefit is to the mind as the trumpeting soothes and readies it for meditation. Thus, it provides holistic health. Of course, one should learn the practice from a trained person so that one doesn’t rupture the diaphragm or lungs. Sharma also thanked NK Saksena, president of Anthropological and Behavioural Sciences section for allowing him to present this paper despite “knowing the nature of the topic”.