URGENT!!! What is the original source of mudras?

[Guest guest]

Dear Srila Acaryapada or anyone else who can answer this question,

 

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

 

I am requested to write an article about the use of mudras in Krishna

Conscious worship and submit it before coming thursday to one radio station.

In the Encarta Encyclopedia one Guy Beck writes that:

"Mudras may have originated in memorization techniques of priests as they

recited the Veda, the most ancient sacred tects of Hinduism. The position of

the thumb and fingers enabled the priests to keep track of verse numbers,

time, and cues for various ritual acts. Gradually certain hand positions

came to accompany specific mantras and to symbolize deities."

 

The earliest reference for mudras I have found in our Krishna conscious

literature is Hari-Bhakti-Vilas. Are Mudras mentioned and explained in the

Veda's or upaveda's, known to any of us?

 

Perhaps Krishna Ksetra prabhu knows, but I am not sure how to send him this

letter.

 

So, I am eagerly awaiting any quick response on this question and thanking

you in advance for the trouble.

 

your humble servant,

Krishna Premavati