Mudra means ‘gesture’, ‘mark’ or ‘seal’. In Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, Mudra symbolizes a pose or ritual or spiritual gesture. Fingers and hands are used to perform mudras and at times they involve the whole body. In many religions in India, spiritual gestures are used in spiritual practice and iconography. Be it yoga or dance forms in India, Mudras are used in a wide range. Depending upon the religion or field, the range of Mudras differs.
Mudras are used in concurrence with yogic breathing exercises in Hatha Yoga, especially in the seated posture, where breathing is involved to affect the consciousness in the body, the psycho-sexual energy of males (prana bindu) and to stimulate various parts of the body. Yogic mudras in a diverse range including Viparita Karani, Mula Bandha, Khecari Mudra, Mahamudra, Vajroli Mudra and Viparita Karani mudra are used.
In the Indian subcontinent, Mudra is used in scriptures like the Natyasastra and in the iconography of Buddhist and Hindu art. The fingers and the hands both are used to perform the Mudra positions. Situations and creatures are depicted with Mudras used in classical dances in India where dancers are able to express their story. The flow of energy in a person’s body is directed by Mudras used during the meditation process. Various mudras in combination with different asanas are used for representing specific moment in Gautam Buddha’s life. Some of the Mudras include Abhayamudra – a gesture of dispelling fear’, the Bhumiparsa Mudra – signifying ‘Buddha calling the earth to witness’, the Bodhyangi Mudra – the ‘fist of wisdom’, the Dharmachakra Pravartana Mudra – ‘turning the wheel’, the Dhyana Mudra – ‘gesture of meditation’ and many more.
