Description on Mudras (25)

GS mentions that there are 25 Mudras (including four ‘locks’ or constrictions called Bandha):

1. Maha mudra (Great Posture) – Pressing the anus by the left heel, stretch the right leg and take hold of the big toe by the hand, contract the throat (not expelling the breath), and fix the gaze between the eye brows.
   • It is said to  cure all the diseases including constipation, enlargement of the spleen, indigestion and fever.
2. Nabho mudra [Gesture of the  (inner) Sky] – Turning upward the tongue (towards the soft palate) and restrain the breath, in any position/posture.
   • This mudra is also said to cure all diseases of the Yogi.
3. Uddiyana mudra (Upward Constriction) – Abdomen is contracted inward so as to touch the spine after exhalation.
   • This mudra is said to help the yogi conquer the death and by this, the breath enters Sushumna and moves upward and that’s why it is called Uddiyana (flying up) Mudra. It is also said to help in getting spiritual freedom. GS rates this Bandha as the best.
4. Jalandhara mudra (Gesture of Jalandhara (Place))- Contract the throat and place the chin on the chest.
   • By this mudra, the 16 adharas (mentioned in Siddha Sidhanta Paddati) are closed. Mahamudra alongwith Jalandhara Bandha destroys death.
   • If practiced for 6 months, one can become skilled.
5. Mulabandha ‘Rectal Constriction) – Press with the heel of the left foot the region between the anus and the scrotum and contract the rectum; carefully press the abdomen backward near the spine and put on the right heel on the organ of generation or pubes.
   • It is destroyer of decay. By this practice, one crosses the ocean of existence and controls the prana.
6. Mahabandha (Great Constriction) – Close the anus by the left heel. Press that heel with the right foot carefully. Contract the rectal and perineum (yoni) muscles (space between anus and reproductive organ) and hold the breath by Jalandhar Bandha.
   • According to GS, Mahabandha is the Greatest Bandha. By this bandha, one can complete all his desires.
7. Mahavedha (Great Opening) – Mahabandha + Uddana Kumbhaka.
   • According to GS, one who practices Mahabandha and Mulabandha alongwith Mahavedha is the best Yogi. There is no fear of death and decay does not approach him.
8. Khechari (Gesture of moving in the ether) – GS mentions the procedure to lengthen the tongue so that khechari mudra can be performed, in which the tongue is fixed upward to reach the holes of the nostrils opening into the mouth and fix the gaze on the space between the two eyebrows. The lower tendon of the tongue is cut down and rubbed with fresh butter and drawn out to stretch the tongue.
   • By khechari mudra, there is neither fainting nor hunger, nor thirst, not laziness. The body becomes divine and free from diseases and decay as well as death. Such body cannot be burned by fire, nor dried up by the air, nor wetted by water nor bitten by snakes. Samadhi is very attained and the tongue touching the holes obtains various nectar juices.
   • GS describes about the tastes – first the yogi experiences saltish taste, then alkaline, then bitter, then astringent, then he feels the taste of butter, then of ghee, milk, curd, whey, honey, palm juice and lastly the nectar.
9. Viparitakari (Inverted Pose Gesture)  – Placing the head on the ground with the hands spread and lifting the legs up and remain steady, so that the moon (at the root of palate) is carried downward and sun (at the root of the navel)  is brought upward.
   • GS states that by this practice, one can avoid decay and death and his body does not perish even at disaster.
10. Yoni (Womb Gesture) – GS suggests Siddhasana to perform Yoni Mudra and close both the ears with the two thumbs, both the eyes with index fingers, nostrils with middle fingers, upper lip with the forefingers and lower lip with the little fingers. Inhale air by kaki-mudra (making crow shaped lips and inhaling by mouth) and contemplate on six chakras from mooladhara to Ajnana Chakra to awaken the sleeping Kundalini by repeating mantras – Hun and Hansa, and raising the kundalini to Sahasrara Chakra (1000 – petalled lotus). This is followed by dhyana on the union of Siva and Sakti and contemplating on himself that he is the Brahma.
    • GS states that by the practice of Yoni Mudra, one gets free from the sins of killing a Brahma, drinking liquor, killing a foetus or polluting the bed of preceptor. All the mortal sins and venal sins are completely destroyed by this practice.
11. Vajroni (Gesture of the lightning-flash) – Place the two palms on the ground, raise the legs in the air upward, the head not touching the earth.
    • This awakens the Sakti, causes long life. By this practice, the Bindu-Siddhi (retention of seed) is obtained, and when that Siddhi is obtained what else can he not attain in this world. Though immersed in manifold pleasures, if he practises this Mudra, he attains verily all perfections.
12. Saktichalani (Gesture of moving the power) – Encircling the loin, i.e. below the waist and above the tops of the legs, with a piece of cloth (kati-sutra), let him practise the Saktichalana in Siddhasana. Inhale and restrain the breath (kumbhaka) and then contract the rectum slowly by asvini mudra until the vayu enters the Sushumna and awakens the kundalini to rise upward to the Brahmarandhra.
    • GS suggests that Shaktichalani mudra should be practiced before Yoni Mudra.
    • Decay and Death are prevented. One attains Vigraha-siddhi and all his diseases are cured by this practice.
13. Tadagi (Tank Gesture) – Sitting in Paschimottanasana, make the stomach like a tank (hollow).
    • This mudra like other mudras is destroyer of decay and death.
14. Mandavi (Frog Mudra) – Closing the mouth, move the tip of the tongue towards the palate, and taste slowly the nectar.
    • Tho body never sickens or becomes old, and it retains perpetual youth; the hair of him who practises this never grows white.
15. Sambhavi (Gesture of Sambu (=Siva)) – Fixing the gaze between the two eye-brows, behold the Self-existent.
    • Sambhavi should be given due respect among other mudras and should not be ignored. He, who knows this Sambhavi, is like the Adinatha, he is a Narayana, he is Brahma the Creator.
16. Panchadharana -Parthivi (Earthy) (5-1 Dharanas) (Gesture of the terrestrial concentration) – The Prithivi-Tattva has the colour of orpiment (yellow), the letter (la) is its secret symbol or seed, its form is four-sided, and Brahma, its presiding deity. Place this Tatva in the heart, and fix by Kumbhaki the Prima-Vayus and the Chitta there for the period of five ghatikas (2 1/2 hours). This is called Adhodharana. By this, one conquers the Earth, and no earthy-elements can injure him: and it causes steadiness.
    • He who practises this dharana, becomes like the conqueror of Death; as an Adept he walks over this earth.
17. Panchadharana – Ambhasi (Watery) (5-2 Dharanas) (Gesture of acquatic concentration)- The Water-Tattva is white like the Kunda-flower or a conch or the moon, its form is circular like the moon, the letter va is the seed of this ambrosial element, and Vishnu is its presiding deity. By Yoga, produce the water-tattva in the heart, and fix there the Prana with the Chitta (consciousness), for five ghatikas (2 1/2 hours), practising Kumbhaka. This is Watery Dharana ; it is the destroyer of all sorrows. Water cannot injure him who practises this.
    • The Ambhasi is a great mudra; the Yogi who knows it, never meets death even in the deepest water.
18. Panchadharana – Vyayavi (Aerial) (5-3 Dharanas) (Gesture of Airy concentration) – The Air-tattva is black as unguent for the eyes (collirium), the letter (ya) is its seed, and Isvara its presiding deity. This Tattva is full of Satva quality. Fix the Prana and the Chitta for five ghatikas in this Tattva. This is Vayavi-Dharana. By this, the practitioner walks in the air.
    • This great Mudra destroys decay and death. Its practitioner is never killed by any aerial disturbances ; by its virtue one walks in the air.
19. Panchadharana -Agneyi (Fiery) (5-4 Dharanas) (Gesture of Fiery Concentration)- The Fire-Tattva is situated at the navel, its colour is red like the Indra-gop insect, its form is triangular, its seed is (ra) its presiding deity is Rudra. It is refulgent like the sun, and the giver of success. Fix the Prana along with the Chitta in this Tattva for five ghatikas. This is called Fire-Dharana, destroyer of the fear of dreadful death, and fire cannot injure him.
    • If the practitioner is thrown into burning ire, by virtue of this Mudra he remains alive, without fear of death.
20. Panchadharana – Akasi (Ethereal) (5-5 Dharanas) (Gesture of the etheral concentration) – The Ether-Tattva has the colour of pure sea-water, (ha) is its seed, its presiding deity is Sadasiva. Fix the Prana along with Chitta for five ghatikas in this Tattva. This is Ether-Dharana. It opens the gates of emancipation.
    • Death does not approach him, nor does he perish at the Pralaya.
21. Ashwini (Horse Gesture) – Contract and dilate the anal aperture again and again
    • This Asvini is a great Mudra; it destroys all diseases of the rectum; it gives strength and vigour, and prevents premature death. It awakens the Sakti (Kandalini).
22. Pasini (Noose Gesture) – Throw the two legs on the neck towards the back, holding them strongly together like a Pasa (a noose).
    • It awakens the Sakti(Kundalini.) and gives strength and nourishment. But it should be done carefully.
23. Kaki (Crow Gesture)  – Contract the lips, like the beak of a crow, and drink (draw in) the air slowly and slowly.
    • One becomes free from disease like a crow with this practice.
24. Matangi (Elephant Gesture) – Stand in neck-deep water, draw in the water through the nostrils, and throw it out by the mouth. Then draw in the water through [the mouth and expel it through] the nostrils. Let one repeat this again and again. This is called Elephant-mudra, destroyer of decay and death.
    • With this practice, the yogi becomes strong like Elephant.
25. Bhujangi (Serpent Gesture) – Extending the neck a little forward, let him drink (draw in) air through the oesophagus; this is called Serpent-mudra, destroyer of decay and death.
    • This Serpent-mudra quickly destroys all stomach diseases, especially indigestion, dyspepsia, etc.