Guest guest Posted April 17, 2002 Report Share Posted April 17, 2002 OM fellow travellers Mudras are much more than "HAND GESTURES- a non-verbal way of expressing one's thoughts or ideas". Mudras are designed to manipulate Prana flow. They can be interpreted in a symbolic way, but the symbolic interpretation is such because of the effect of manipulating prana. In the case of Abhaya and Varada Mudra, both are allowing the person to whom they are presented to feel the positive, non-threatening quality of the masculine energy of Abhaya and the feminine energy of Varada. These Mudras also send this sattvic energy to the recipient in order to render him/her more sattvic and receptive as well. In addition, the hands can act as a receptor, so that, in the case of Abhaya and Varada Mudras, the presenter can sense the quality and quantity of the other person's pranas. There is also an internal cycling of prana occurring. Abhaya Mudra is done with the right hand, Varada Mudra with the left. When one does these two mudras as above, there is a sense of peace, contentment, and harmonization due to prana flowing through the person. One can feel their prana reserves being increased. If, however, the Mudras are done with the opposite hand, the effect is very negative. One immediately, feels tension, dislocation, and a draining effect. One feels that the Anahata Chakra is stressed. So, performing the Mudras correctly tunes the Chakras as well thus influencing the mind and bhava of all concerned. OM Sri Maha Kalikayai Namah Omprem , "nora55_1999" <nora55_1999> wrote: > adi_shakthi16 > > THANKS DB FOR THIS ! yes, we women are always in 'fear' of being > attacked! this is because a woman's 'YONI' is always seen as an > *****object of penetration***** NOT AS A 'SEAT OF CREATION AND > PRESERVATION' - it is the 'birth canal' not just a zone > of 'pleasure' ! in sanskrit, there is a verse which goes like this- " > para stri matruvath" - all othe women except your own wife are to be > worshipped as mothers! that is why in 'maithuna' (one of the pancha > makaras) you are encouraged to worship the deity within or with your > shakti (your own lawfully wdded wife) ! > > ************************************************* > > what is ****mudra****? we often hear this term 'mudra' being > mentioned in meditation or in classical indian dance forms -we also > see the the sculptures of gods/goddessses represent various mudras > with their hands. > > Mudras are HAND GESTURES- a non-verbal way of expressing one's > thoughts or ideas- a kind of what we call *****sign language***** > > When you see the hand mudra of a deity or a meditating saint like > buddha, they evoke in your mind certain 'divine' powers of the > deities or the saints. such mudras are sometimes more 'powerful' > than the spoken word. > > These mudras are also used by monks, sages or saints in spiritual > exercises or meditation .such hand gestures are also used very > effectively in indian dance forms like bhratanatyam , kathak, > kathakali, manipuri etc. > > One of my favorite mudras is --- Abhaya Mudra. > > What does the word abhaya mean? bhaya means *****fear***** abhaya- > means 'without fear" or fearlessness! > > This mudra symbolizes protection, peace, and the dispelling of fear. > It is made with the right hand raised to shoulder height, the arm > crooked, the palm of the hand facing outward, and the fingers upright > and joined. The left hand hangs down at the side of the body. It is > nearly always used in images showing the Buddha upright, either > immobile with the feet joined, or walking. > > "This mudra, which initially appears to be a natural gesture, was > probably used from prehistoric times as a sign of good intentions - > the hand raised and unarmed proposes friendship, or at least peace; > since antiquity, it was also a gesture asserting power" > > THERE IS AN INTERESTING LEGEND ASSOCIATED with 'abhaya mudra' in the > buddhist tradition. Devadatta, a cousin of the Buddha, through > jealousy caused a schism to be caused among the disciples of Buddha. > As Devadatta's pride increased, he attempted to murder the Buddha. > > One of his schemes involved loosing a rampaging elephant into the > Buddha's path. But as the elephant approached him, Buddha displayed > the Abhaya mudra, which immediately calmed the animal. Accordingly, > it indicates not only the appeasement of the senses, but also the > absence of fear. The primary function of abhaya mudra is > the "transformation of fear into something positive like protection. " > > When we approach our divine mother kali, we need to 'shut our mind > and intellect' and approach her 'with our heart' - we approach HER > WITH THE SIMPLICITY OF A CHILD. IS IT EASY TO UNDERSTAND MOTHER > KALI? NO, SAYS OUR POET RAMPRASAD- EVEN THE SIX DARSHANAS CANNOT > DESCRIBE HER FULLY! SHE IS BEYOND THE REALM OF MIND OR INTELLECT! if > any understyanding comes, it is only because of her 'divine' grace! > it is our ******EGO***** WHICH SEPERATES THE DEVOTEE FROM REACHING > THE LOTUS FEET OF THE MOTHER. > > WE SEE MOTHER KALI WEARING THE GARLAND OF SKULLS- there are many > interpretations - each skull represnt the various tamo gunas like > lust, anger, coveteousness, pride, delusion jealousy, and all the > other base instincts ! but with her sword of discrimination, mother > kali ***cuts*** those base qualities and gives us protection ! > > Our divine mother is compassionate - ya devi sarva bhuteshu daya > rupena samstitha- says the devi bhagvatam. all you need is purity of > heart! > > our divine mother says "Have no fear!" with her right hand –the > posture of abhaya mudra. > > "Mother, I do not know anything. All I know is I just love you and > need your help." total surrender ! mother kali's lap is your > ultimate seat of freedom! > > "Oh Mother, I do not know anything. Give me a glimpse of thy Divine > self. Give me a taste of your proximity." > > MOTHER KALI IS THE COOL BREEZE! SHE IS A RAY OF SUNSHINE! > > THUS, mother kali grants us boons with her 'varada' mudra and offers > us 'protection' with her 'abhaya' mudra. > > "Aranye Sharanye gatis tvam, gatis tvam, twameka bhavani." "Oh Maa! I > am trapped in this wilderness, I do not know anything. I do not know > how to do puja, I don't know the pranayam, this, that, all I know is > I come under your protection. You are the only perfect > Mother that I know of, that I can turn to." This prayer is the > height of devotion. > > "I know how to pray to you", ego is there. If the devotee says, "I > know the pranayama, and I know the nitayas, and I know the slokas, > and the mantras, I am calling you, so why don't you come?" "No," > say, "I do not know anything. All I know is I need your help." > > contemplate on this image of the divine mother kali---- > > KALI'S lower right hand is held in the varada mudra, extended to > offer a boon. One of her greatest boons is fearlessness, indicated > by her upper right hand, held in the abhaya mudra, upright with the > palm outward. Her upper left hand brandishes a bloodied curving > sword, and her lower left hand dangles a freshly severed head. > > Behind these apparent symbols of destruction lies a different story. > The sword symbolizes the higher knowledge that cuts through > appearances and reveals things as they really are. The severed head > represents the human ego, the limiting sense of I-me-and-mine that > she slays. Together Kali's four hands seem to say, "Take refuge in > me, let go of your existential fear, let me slay your illusion of > smallness and separation, and you will merge into my infinite bliss." > > JAI MAHAKALI! > > JAI GURUDEVA! > > P.S. 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Guest guest Posted April 17, 2002 Report Share Posted April 17, 2002 OM fellow travellers Mudras are designed to store and manipulate Prana and to activate Chakras. They are much more than "HAND GESTURES- a non-verbal way of expressing one's thoughts or ideas". A Mudra obtains its symbolic meaning from the effect created when the Mudra changes Prana flow and activates Chakras. For example, Abhaya and Varada Mudras when done correctly create a sense of peace, contentment, love, compassion and power in the person doing the Mudras. One can feel prana flowing and accumulating. The Anahata Chakra is activated. However, if the Abhaya Mudra were to be done with the left hand instead of the right and, if the Varada Mudra were to be done with the right hand instead of the left, one feels very negative effects. There is tension in the body and the mind becomes anxious. Emotions become negative. Prana flow is decreased. The Anahata Chakra is severely, almost painfully, constricted. So, the Abhaya and Varada Mudras circulate Prana in the person performing the Mudra, a Sattvic attitude is created. Also, that Prana and Sattvic attitude is being sent from the palms toward the person upon whom the performer of the Mudras is focussed. This subconsciously informs the intended person of the peaceful and compassionate intent of the sender. It also affects the Prana circulation of the recipient, creating a similar Sattvic attitude and open heart in him/her. Mudras are real tools for positive change. Hatha Yogis make extensive use of Mudras (and Bandhas) in their practice. Raja Yoga Sutras II. 51 Bahyabhyantara-visayaksepi caturthah. The fourth type (of pranyama) goes beyond the sphere of inhalation and exhalation (and retention). Omprem , "nora55_1999" <nora55_1999> wrote: > adi_shakthi16 > > THANKS DB FOR THIS ! yes, we women are always in 'fear' of being > attacked! this is because a woman's 'YONI' is always seen as an > *****object of penetration***** NOT AS A 'SEAT OF CREATION AND > PRESERVATION' - it is the 'birth canal' not just a zone > of 'pleasure' ! in sanskrit, there is a verse which goes like this- " > para stri matruvath" - all othe women except your own wife are to be > worshipped as mothers! that is why in 'maithuna' (one of the pancha > makaras) you are encouraged to worship the deity within or with your > shakti (your own lawfully wdded wife) ! > > ************************************************* > > what is ****mudra****? we often hear this term 'mudra' being > mentioned in meditation or in classical indian dance forms -we also > see the the sculptures of gods/goddessses represent various mudras > with their hands. > > Mudras are HAND GESTURES- a non-verbal way of expressing one's > thoughts or ideas- a kind of what we call *****sign language***** > > When you see the hand mudra of a deity or a meditating saint like > buddha, they evoke in your mind certain 'divine' powers of the > deities or the saints. such mudras are sometimes more 'powerful' > than the spoken word. > > These mudras are also used by monks, sages or saints in spiritual > exercises or meditation .such hand gestures are also used very > effectively in indian dance forms like bhratanatyam , kathak, > kathakali, manipuri etc. > > One of my favorite mudras is --- Abhaya Mudra. > > What does the word abhaya mean? bhaya means *****fear***** abhaya- > means 'without fear" or fearlessness! > > This mudra symbolizes protection, peace, and the dispelling of fear. > It is made with the right hand raised to shoulder height, the arm > crooked, the palm of the hand facing outward, and the fingers upright > and joined. The left hand hangs down at the side of the body. It is > nearly always used in images showing the Buddha upright, either > immobile with the feet joined, or walking. > > "This mudra, which initially appears to be a natural gesture, was > probably used from prehistoric times as a sign of good intentions - > the hand raised and unarmed proposes friendship, or at least peace; > since antiquity, it was also a gesture asserting power" > > THERE IS AN INTERESTING LEGEND ASSOCIATED with 'abhaya mudra' in the > buddhist tradition. Devadatta, a cousin of the Buddha, through > jealousy caused a schism to be caused among the disciples of Buddha. > As Devadatta's pride increased, he attempted to murder the Buddha. > > One of his schemes involved loosing a rampaging elephant into the > Buddha's path. But as the elephant approached him, Buddha displayed > the Abhaya mudra, which immediately calmed the animal. Accordingly, > it indicates not only the appeasement of the senses, but also the > absence of fear. The primary function of abhaya mudra is > the "transformation of fear into something positive like protection. " > > When we approach our divine mother kali, we need to 'shut our mind > and intellect' and approach her 'with our heart' - we approach HER > WITH THE SIMPLICITY OF A CHILD. IS IT EASY TO UNDERSTAND MOTHER > KALI? NO, SAYS OUR POET RAMPRASAD- EVEN THE SIX DARSHANAS CANNOT > DESCRIBE HER FULLY! SHE IS BEYOND THE REALM OF MIND OR INTELLECT! if > any understyanding comes, it is only because of her 'divine' grace! > it is our ******EGO***** WHICH SEPERATES THE DEVOTEE FROM REACHING > THE LOTUS FEET OF THE MOTHER. > > WE SEE MOTHER KALI WEARING THE GARLAND OF SKULLS- there are many > interpretations - each skull represnt the various tamo gunas like > lust, anger, coveteousness, pride, delusion jealousy, and all the > other base instincts ! but with her sword of discrimination, mother > kali ***cuts*** those base qualities and gives us protection ! > > Our divine mother is compassionate - ya devi sarva bhuteshu daya > rupena samstitha- says the devi bhagvatam. all you need is purity of > heart! > > our divine mother says "Have no fear!" with her right hand –the > posture of abhaya mudra. > > "Mother, I do not know anything. All I know is I just love you and > need your help." total surrender ! mother kali's lap is your > ultimate seat of freedom! > > "Oh Mother, I do not know anything. Give me a glimpse of thy Divine > self. Give me a taste of your proximity." > > MOTHER KALI IS THE COOL BREEZE! SHE IS A RAY OF SUNSHINE! > > THUS, mother kali grants us boons with her 'varada' mudra and offers > us 'protection' with her 'abhaya' mudra. > > "Aranye Sharanye gatis tvam, gatis tvam, twameka bhavani." "Oh Maa! I > am trapped in this wilderness, I do not know anything. I do not know > how to do puja, I don't know the pranayam, this, that, all I know is > I come under your protection. You are the only perfect > Mother that I know of, that I can turn to." This prayer is the > height of devotion. > > "I know how to pray to you", ego is there. If the devotee says, "I > know the pranayama, and I know the nitayas, and I know the slokas, > and the mantras, I am calling you, so why don't you come?" "No," > say, "I do not know anything. All I know is I need your help." > > contemplate on this image of the divine mother kali---- > > KALI'S lower right hand is held in the varada mudra, extended to > offer a boon. One of her greatest boons is fearlessness, indicated > by her upper right hand, held in the abhaya mudra, upright with the > palm outward. Her upper left hand brandishes a bloodied curving > sword, and her lower left hand dangles a freshly severed head. > > Behind these apparent symbols of destruction lies a different story. > The sword symbolizes the higher knowledge that cuts through > appearances and reveals things as they really are. The severed head > represents the human ego, the limiting sense of I-me-and-mine that > she slays. Together Kali's four hands seem to say, "Take refuge in > me, let go of your existential fear, let me slay your illusion of > smallness and separation, and you will merge into my infinite bliss." > > JAI MAHAKALI! > > JAI GURUDEVA! > > P.S. GATHERED FROM VARTIOUS SOURCES AND PRESENTED WITH CHANGES. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 17, 2002 Report Share Posted April 17, 2002 thanks once again ompremji for putting things in their proper persepective on the wonderfull subject of 'mudras' !!! certainly, mudras are more than hand-gestures... (i was describing them from a dancer's point of view and from a bhaktin's angle) ! your description is from that of a practicing hatha-yogi! smiles!!!! we really needed you iin this forum dear ompremji and it is due to the infinite compassion of the divine mother that you are here in mind, body and spirit. thanks for showing us the 'way'! the enlightened heart truly gives ! in giving it receives as well! for how can a lamp radiate light without feeling the glow of the light? love and regards... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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