Mudras are important practices in yoga. Mudra means a “sign” or a “seal” in Sanskrit.

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Mudras are important practices in yoga. Mudra means a “sign” or a “seal” in Sanskrit. Mudras are various yogic gestures or positions using the fingers, hands, eyes or other parts of the body to channelize energy in a certain way. It can indicate a certain inner state of mind. These are advanced practices which were kept secret by the yogis and passed on from Guru to disciple according to tradition. Mudras are also used in traditional Indian dance forms, like Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Manipuri, Kathakali, to express inner emotions and attitudes. The mudras related to yoga were used to channel the flow of energy, to attain a certain effect in the body and mind. The channeling of energy can be used either to attain a higher state of consciousness or can be directed towards the body and mind for healing and curing various diseases. The subject of Mudras is discussed in various yogic texts like Gheranda Samhita, Hatha Yoga Pradeepika, Tirumandiram, Siva Samhita, various tantric texts and even in the Upanishads. In the Gheranda Samhita, Lord Shiva instructs Goddess Parvati on the mudras and says that the by practicing mudras the yogi becomes an adept. It gives great happiness to the yogi; that even the gods cannot dream of enjoying.

In Hatha Yoga Pradeepika, it is said that the practice of mudras lead to awakening of the Kundalini Shakti resting at the base of the spine. Mudras should be practiced to awaken the Goddess who is sleeping at the base of the spine. It this text, Adinatha, Lord Shiva, declares that through practice of mudras, the yogi attains all the siddhis or the eight supernatural powers. In some Upanishads too, there are references to mudras. The Maitrayani Upanishad talks about a practice where the tongue is rolled up and touches the upper soft palette during meditation. It is said that practicing thus and checking the body, speech and breath, one can reach Brahman. Some of the mudras like Jnana Mudra and Chin Mudra are commonly used today for meditation. In Jnana mudra and Chin mudra, the fingers are used to create an energy cycle. In Jnana mudra the thumb indicates Brahman (or the Ultimate Reality) and forefinger indicates the Jiva (the inner Reality). Bringing them together signifies the oneness of the two realities. Also the three other fingers indicate the three gunas or qualities of nature – Satva (purity, light, clarity of mind, etc.), Rajas (activity, passion, etc.) and Tamas (inactivity, dullness, etc.). Going beyond the three gunas, one attains the oneness of the self with Brahman.!
Om Namah Shivaya! 🙏🏻🌀🙏🏻