Mudra's/मुद्रा in Yoga-Shastra

There are total 6 Indian Philosophies, that give practical ways for human beings to self realize or better put overcome the misery and unhappiness that they encounter in their day-to-day lives. Briefly put, those are Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Purva Mimansa and Uttara Mimansa/Vedanta. Particularly, Yoga Shastra tells a practitioner scientific way to follow the path of Ashtanga / 8 steps towards self realization.

Mudras come under the practice part of yoga. There is a whole chapter on Mudra's in Swami Svatmaram's “Hatha-Yog-pradipika”, light on hatha yoga. Other notable references on Mudras can be seen in Gherand Samhita and Shiva Samhita.

Mudras/ मुद्रा in Yoga-Shastra’s

"Mud" in Sanskrit means Joy, delight, pleasure and other meaning is to purify, cleanse. "Dravya" in Sanskrit means to draw the inherent happiness Sat-Chit-Ananda.

Mudra also means a seal.

Basically, Mudras are bodily gestures combined with asanas/postures, pranayamas/breathing techniques, bandhas/locks and eye movements help balance body and its flexibility, control thought's and inculcate a feeling of calmness within.

They help eradicate fatigue, weakness, obesity, anxiety, depression as well as auto immune diseases like arthritis, diabetes so on and so forth.

Shanmukhi Mudra

Yoga Mudra practices can be divided into following categories:

1. Hasta Mudra related to simple finger gestures

This mudra’s form a loop of energy moving, from hands to brain and back to hands. Example: Jnana mudra, Prithvi, Vayu, Shoonya etc

2. Mana Mudra related to head and is called as Meditative Mudras.

These mudras’ engage sensory organs such as eyes, nose, ears, tongue and lips. Example: Shambhavi Mudra.

3. Kaya Mudra related to bodily postures

Kaya refers to body in Sanskrit. Bodily movements such as asana’s coordinated with breath, focus and concentration form such mudras.

4. Bandha Mudra related to breath regulations

Bandha mudras are done during the retention/Kumbhaka phase of breathing. They help in awakening the Kundalini Power. There are 3 bandha mudras – Jalandhara bandha/Chin lock which deals with throat region, Uddiyana bandha/Abdominal lock that deals with diaphragmatic region and lastly Mula bandha/Root lock which deals with pelvic region.

5. Adhara Mudra related to pelvic floor muscles movements.

These mudras redirect prana from the lower centers like Mooladhara and Swadhishthana chakras to the brain. Example: Ashwini Mudra, Vajroli etc.

Now, Let’s understand the functioning behind Mudra’s.

As per the sister science of yoga, Ayurveda, a human body is made up of 5 elements -- Fire, Air, Space, Earth and Water,

These 5 elements are represented by 5 fingers of hand.

Thumb represents Agni tattva/Fire Element

Index represents Vayu tattva/Air Element

Middle Finger represents Akasha tattva/Ether Element

Ring Finger represents Prithvi Tattva/Earth Element

while Pinky finger represents Jal Tattva/Water element.