18-27. THE 10 MUDRAS: The Khadgamala Devis Series

September 9, 2004

First, a brief explanatory reminder, for re-orientation purposes: If

you examine the Srichakra, you'll notice that it consists of nine

enclosures surrounding the central point. The enclosures consist of

the layers within the inner wheel (containing the familiar design of

interlocking triangles), then two rings of lotuses, then a square

gated wall, three layers deep. There is one gate on each side of

this wall.

The walls are generally shown in the Srichakra as three concentric

lines, collectively form the first of the nine enclosures. The three

lines are respectively white, red and yellow in color. The yellow is

not bright yellow, but pIta, the yellow color of butter. Nor is the

red a deep blood red; it is aruna, the color of rising sun.

The outer, white wall is the home of the ten siddhis or powers

[spiritual accomplishments] – also called the prakata [explicit]

yoginis. The middle, red wall is the abode of the Sapta Matrika

[seven little mothers], plus Mahalakshmi. All of those have been

previously discussed in detail in this series, and so we must now

address the inner, yellow wall, the home of the ten mudras, or hand

gestures.

As I write this [on September 9, 2004], we have already presented

weekly photos of the first six on the group homepage. I am really

far behind! Checking back – crikey! – I haven't posted on the

Khadgamala since July 31! So let me talk about the group broadly,

and then – with the help of Sri Amritananda Natha and Sri

Bhasurananda Natha – I will endeavor to offer a more subtle

exposition and discussion, hopefully next week. For what follows, I

am indebted to other sources, most particularly Brooks' "Auspicious

Wisdom."

THE TEN MUDRAS

The ten yoginis of the outer wall's innermost (yellow) line are the

mudras. The first nine mudras are each identified with one of the

nine enclosures of Sri Chakra; the tenth is reserved for Lalitha

Tripurasundari as the Supreme Deity. In ritual practice, the mudra

corresponding to each enclosure is displayed by the worshiper

following the naming of the yoginis of each enclosure during the

puja. Some of the mudras are also employed in other ways, during

more involved Sri Chakra pujas.

So, what are the mudras? They are to the body what the mantra is to

speech: The subtle expression of transcendence made manifest. The

meditative act is complete only when the mudra and the mantra are in

harmony, each enhancing the effect of the other.

The names of the ten mudra yoginis follow. You will note that each

name begins with the prefix, "Sarva-," which is a Sanskrit term

suggesting all-inclusiveness. That is why you will see words

like `all', `everything', `anything', etc. in the English

translations of the Devi names. (You can drop the "Sarva" prefix in

referring casually to the Devis in conversation with other upasaks,

but not in the recitation of the Khadgamala Stotram.) Each Devi is

described in terms of the powers She embodies and confers on the

upasak:

1. Sarva Sankshobhini [Mudra]: The power to make everything

restless.

2. Sarva Vidraavani [Mudra]: The power to drive anything away

3. Sarva Akarshini [Mudra]: The power to attract anything

4. Sarva Vashankari [Mudra]: The power to influence or subjugate

5. Sarvonmaadinii[Mudra]: The power to intoxicate or make

passionate

6. Sarva Mahaankusa [Mudra]: The power to goad or control

anything

7. Sarva Khechari [Mudra]: The power to fly or bind

8. Sarva Bija [Mudra]: Power over all the bijas [seed mantras]

9. Sarva Yoni [Mudra]: Power over the nine Yonis or Chakras

10. Sarva Trikhanda [Mudra]: Power over all of the three aspects

of reality

In some cases, the names of these Devis suggest the mudras they

represent. For example, Mahaankusa Mudra imitates the elephant goad,

symbolic of influence and control, and associated with Lalitha,

Ganapati and other deities. The yoni mudra represents the shape of

the vulva; and trikhanda mudra is so called because its three parts

correspond to the Devi's threefold nature as it manifests in the

visible world.

Aum MAtangyai NamaH

September 13, 2004

Namaste,

I for one am very grateful that you have resumed the work with the

Khadgamala Devis. I'm new to this form of working with the

Shrividya. I've visited the site where you have gone into great

detail about the individual Devis. I'm having a difficult time

placing them in their proper place on the yantra because it is not

clear to me where they go (the "outer court" squares circuit and the

3 concentric circles) are what I'm having difficulty with. I've seen

the ball of light that you have placed on each of the pictures of the

Devis but this hasn't proved helpful to me when I look at the entire

yantra. Can you point to a diagram (or help me create one) which has

the the name of the Devis placed exactly where each should be on the

yantra? This would be very very helpful. Thank you. Peace, Liaya

-- In , "Devi Bhakta"

<devi_bhakta> wrote:

> First, a brief explanatory reminder, for re-orientation purposes:

If

> you examine the Srichakra, you'll notice that it consists of nine

> enclosures surrounding the central point. The enclosures consist of

> the layers within the inner wheel (containing the familiar design

of

> interlocking triangles), then two rings of lotuses, then a square

> gated wall, three layers deep. There is one gate on each side of

> this wall.

>

> The walls are generally shown in the Srichakra as three concentric

> lines, collectively form the first of the nine enclosures. The

three

> lines are respectively white, red and yellow in color. The yellow

is

> not bright yellow, but pIta, the yellow color of butter. Nor is the

> red a deep blood red; it is aruna, the color of rising sun.

>

> The outer, white wall is the home of the ten siddhis or powers

> [spiritual accomplishments] – also called the prakata [explicit]

> yoginis. The middle, red wall is the abode of the Sapta Matrika

> [seven little mothers], plus Mahalakshmi. All of those have been

> previously discussed in detail in this series, and so we must now

> address the inner, yellow wall, the home of the ten mudras, or hand

> gestures.

>

> As I write this [on September 9, 2004], we have already presented

> weekly photos of the first six on the group homepage. I am really

> far behind! Checking back – crikey! – I haven't posted on the

> Khadgamala since July 31! So let me talk about the group broadly,

> and then – with the help of Sri Amritananda Natha and Sri

> Bhasurananda Natha – I will endeavor to offer a more subtle

> exposition and discussion, hopefully next week. For what follows, I

> am indebted to other sources, most particularly Brooks' "Auspicious

> Wisdom."

>

> THE TEN MUDRAS

>

> The ten yoginis of the outer wall's innermost (yellow) line are the

> mudras. The first nine mudras are each identified with one of the

> nine enclosures of Sri Chakra; the tenth is reserved for Lalitha

> Tripurasundari as the Supreme Deity. In ritual practice, the mudra

> corresponding to each enclosure is displayed by the worshiper

> following the naming of the yoginis of each enclosure during the

> puja. Some of the mudras are also employed in other ways, during

> more involved Sri Chakra pujas.

>

> So, what are the mudras? They are to the body what the mantra is to

> speech: The subtle expression of transcendence made manifest. The

> meditative act is complete only when the mudra and the mantra are

in

> harmony, each enhancing the effect of the other.

>

> The names of the ten mudra yoginis follow. You will note that each

> name begins with the prefix, "Sarva-," which is a Sanskrit term

> suggesting all-inclusiveness. That is why you will see words

> like `all', `everything', `anything', etc. in the English

> translations of the Devi names. (You can drop the "Sarva" prefix in

> referring casually to the Devis in conversation with other upasaks,

> but not in the recitation of the Khadgamala Stotram.) Each Devi is

> described in terms of the powers She embodies and confers on the

> upasak:

>

> 1. Sarva Sankshobhini [Mudra]: The power to make everything

> restless.

> 2. Sarva Vidraavani [Mudra]: The power to drive anything away

> 3. Sarva Akarshini [Mudra]: The power to attract anything

> 4. Sarva Vashankari [Mudra]: The power to influence or subjugate

> 5. Sarvonmaadinii[Mudra]: The power to intoxicate or make

> passionate

> 6. Sarva Mahaankusa [Mudra]: The power to goad or control

> anything

> 7. Sarva Khechari [Mudra]: The power to fly or bind

> 8. Sarva Bija [Mudra]: Power over all the bijas [seed mantras]

> 9. Sarva Yoni [Mudra]: Power over the nine Yonis or Chakras

> 10. Sarva Trikhanda [Mudra]: Power over all of the three aspects

> of reality

>

> In some cases, the names of these Devis suggest the mudras they

> represent. For example, Mahaankusa Mudra imitates the elephant

goad,

> symbolic of influence and control, and associated with Lalitha,

> Ganapati and other deities. The yoni mudra represents the shape of

> the vulva; and trikhanda mudra is so called because its three parts

> correspond to the Devi's threefold nature as it manifests in the

> visible world.

>

> Aum MAtangyai NamaH

September 13, 2004

Dear Liaya:

Thank you for your interest; I am happy to hear that you are

enjoying the series.

*** I'm having a difficult time placing them in their proper place

on the yantra because it is not clear to me where they go

(the "outer court" squares circuit and the 3 concentric circles) ***

Each of the three walls in the outer enclosure requires more than

one circuit to install all of the Devis. Visualize the Devis on or

set within the walls, rather than between them. The three concentric

circles you mention actually delineate two lotuses, with the devis

placed on the petals, one lotus in a counterclockwise motion, the

other clockwise. (Some systems place Devis on the lines themselves

as well as the petals, but I do not know these systems and those who

do tend not to discuss them. This is just informational -- for

Khadgamala purposes, the petals are where you place the Devis.

*** Can you point to a diagram (or help me create one) which has the

the name of the Devis placed exactly where each should be on the

yantra? This would be very very helpful. Thank you.***

I have not seen such a diagram, but we are in the process of

creating one. Nora has a file stowed away on the homepage, in which

all devi placements are given by number rather than name, commencing

on 1 again for each new enclosure (siddhis 1-10, matrika 1-8, etc).

It's quite an amazing thing to study, and a great memory tool. Also,

the number patterns are logical and revealing. I do not know if she

is ready to publish it, but if she is, perhaps she will post the

link on her next visit.

Thank you once again, and best wishes to you

DB

September 14, 2004

Lets have a contest. everyone capable creates a beautiful yantra thats

clickable. with te numbers inscribed. when one clicks on the number the Devi's

picre and details come forth. I am incapable o doing it as my knowlege of the

programmes are not very good.

The best one gets a peck on the creator's cheek *smile*

ctopaz70 <ctopaz70 wrote: