The word “Mudra” is derived from the root word “Mud,” meaning “to be glad or to have a delight in.” Mudras are postures that bring delight to the deities and also to the performers, and cause the drava (dissolution) of the mind. However, the term mudra also denotes “seal” because the hand gestures seal the body, thus aiding to fetch joyousness to a large extent. A mudra also represents a spiritual gesture and an energetic seal of validity, which are used in the iconography and spiritual practice of Indian religions.
They are the means of controlling the energy in the body and also the symbolic representations of our inner state. Persons who are even a bit sensitive to the body’s vibrations or energies can easily feel that a change of mood can be experienced by the movement of one’s hands. They begin to feel mentally more aware of our inner vibrations and energies. With a slight alertness, the multifarious inner states induced by the mudras become clearly noticeable. It is generally said that there are nearly 108 hand gestures, quite popular as sacred symbols among Hindus. Most mudras are performed with the hands and fingers and some involve the whole body.
Generally speaking, mudras, which are considered as the developed form of asans, have significant influences on our body. Basically, they are techniques to stimulate the glandular functions and the dormant psychic power centres with two facets of uses—physical and mental. In asans, sensory organs are major and prāṇ is minor, whilst in mudras, the sensory organs are minor, and prāṇ is the major one. To highlight the prominence of mudras, the scriptures
clearly state:
nāsti mudrā samaṁ kiñchit siddhidam kṣhiti maṇḍale
“There are no other actions in this planet that can yield benefits like mudras.”
From the above mantra, one can easily realize the paramount importance of mudrās in both—mental and physical respects. In mudras of the hand, the five fingers are used. Our body is built up of five elements. The five fingers represent and are directly linked to these five elements. The thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger are the symbols of fire, air, space, earth, and water respectively. Moreover, such mudras are also the way to control the involuntary organs, which are associated with the different nerves of the body.
In reality, they help one become conscious and closer to the inner energy. Aspirants can improve their sādhanā if they know the secret of mudras perfectly. They also enhance the consequences of pranayam, and nowadays it has become so common that while any pranayam is performed, at least one of the mudras is selected—to have additional effects.
There are many types of mudras, and amongst them, in Jagadguru Kripaluji Yog, we have chosen the most effective mudras. Most of these mudras are so natural that they can be practiced at any place, at any time, and under any circumstance. One also should not forget that they produce more advantages if done along with the meditative asans such as Padmasan, Vajrasan, Sukhasan, etc.
