Guest guest Posted June 22, 2007 Report Share Posted June 22, 2007 Hi, Can you please direct me to a page on the site on what the various mudras and their usage. It would also be good to know their significance. I am still doing the beginner Durga Puja and am not sure of how to form the mudra. For example, the mudras to use for the second line of the mantra " pushpa pushpa mahapusha.. " . Jai Ma, Prathibha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 23, 2007 Report Share Posted June 23, 2007 Respected all, namastute ! Mudras used in Poojas The word Mudra is derived from the Sanskrit words Mud+Dhra, or bliss+dissolving - meaning that which dissolves duality and brings together the deity and the devotee. Mudras are gestures performed with the hands and are used to convey various feelings, or expressions or meanings. (Recently the the famous Australian cricketer Greg Chappell showed the notorious " middle finger mudra " to the Ganguly fans at Kolkata!!). The use of the Mudras is quite common in the Hindu Poojas, Tantric worships, Yoga and also in Classical Indian dances. In Hindu iconography, the deities are often depicted with their hands making various Mudras - like the twin gestures of dispelling fears and granting boons. Various deities have several specific Mudras which are associated with them. They are used by the practitioner for various purposes - like activating the various nerve centers, to convey a feeling or to appease a deity etc. Each finger represents one of the five elements—the thumb is agni (fire), the forefinger is vayu (air), the middle finger is akash (ether), the ring finger is prithvi (earth) and the little finger is jal (water). Please note that in Natya Sastra (classical dance) and in Yoga also there are several similarly named Mudras which are at times quite different from the Pooja Mudras. For example the Yoni Mudra used in Yoga is totally different from the Yoni Mudra used in Pooja. A lot of people want to know and use the Mudras during Pooja and Tantrik worship but do not know the correct ones. We are giving bellow 40 of the most commonly used Mudras in the various Poojas and Tantric worships so that those interested can learn them an practice. Click on each name to see the picture of the Mudra in a new window. These are the correct Mudras, but in some sects there are minor variations. , " sharanam_lalitambike " <prats74 wrote: > > Hi, > Can you please direct me to a page on the site on what the various > mudras and their usage. It would also be good to know their > significance. I am still doing the beginner Durga Puja and am not sure > of how to form the mudra. For example, the mudras to use for the > second line of the mantra " pushpa pushpa mahapusha.. " . > > Jai Ma, > Prathibha > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 23, 2007 Report Share Posted June 23, 2007 Om! Please see: http://www.shreemaa.org/drupal/node/297 Swamiji has said, " Each Mudra conveys a certain attitude and means something that you are saying to your beloved or friend. " So Mudras are means of communicating your feelings to God. As you repeatedly do the mudras, those attitudes and feelings become more and more part of your being and your approach to life. If you have practiced South Indian Classical Dance or have watched a performance, you will notice the dancers making Mudras. There are some teachers who specialize in teaching Mudras. As the dancers make the Mudras their facial expressions change to communicate the attitude or bhava that they want to express. So it all goes together: your attitude, your feelings, your facial expression, your mudras. With Her grace, there is harmony in all four, and you cultivate sincerity. If you watch the vcd " Meaning and Method of Worship, there is portion where Swamiji demonstrates the Mudras that we do before inviting the Deity into our hearts. You will understand what each Mudra conveys by watching the expression on His face. Sharanam to you! srini , " sharanam_lalitambike " <prats74 wrote: > > Hi, > Can you please direct me to a page on the site on what the various > mudras and their usage. It would also be good to know their > significance. I am still doing the beginner Durga Puja and am not sure > of how to form the mudra. For example, the mudras to use for the > second line of the mantra " pushpa pushpa mahapusha.. " . > > Jai Ma, > Prathibha > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2007 Report Share Posted June 25, 2007 Hello Srini, Thanks a lot. This is what I was looking for. Durge Sharanam, Jai Jagadambe! Prathibha , " srini_sadhu " <srini_sadhu wrote: > > Om! > > Please see: > > http://www.shreemaa.org/drupal/node/297 > > Swamiji has said, " Each Mudra conveys a certain attitude and means > something that you are saying to your beloved or friend. " > > So Mudras are means of communicating your feelings to God. As you > repeatedly do the mudras, those attitudes and feelings become more and > more part of your being and your approach to life. > > If you have practiced South Indian Classical Dance or have watched a > performance, you will notice the dancers making Mudras. There are some > teachers who specialize in teaching Mudras. > > As the dancers make the Mudras their facial expressions change to > communicate the attitude or bhava that they want to express. So it all > goes together: your attitude, your feelings, your facial expression, > your mudras. With Her grace, there is harmony in all four, and you > cultivate sincerity. > > If you watch the vcd " Meaning and Method of Worship, there is portion > where Swamiji demonstrates the Mudras that we do before inviting the > Deity into our hearts. You will understand what each Mudra conveys by > watching the expression on His face. > > Sharanam to you! > srini > > > , " sharanam_lalitambike " > <prats74@> wrote: > > > > Hi, > > Can you please direct me to a page on the site on what the various > > mudras and their usage. It would also be good to know their > > significance. I am still doing the beginner Durga Puja and am not sure > > of how to form the mudra. For example, the mudras to use for the > > second line of the mantra " pushpa pushpa mahapusha.. " . > > > > Jai Ma, > > Prathibha > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2007 Report Share Posted July 6, 2007 Jai Ma!, I was trying out the dhenu mudra and could not understand how to do it from the image on our website. I googled and found a site which had to say this about the dhenu mudra -- " For performing this Mudra, Face both hands to each other and join the finger tips together, leaving the thumbs free as few inches apart. Now join the index finger of the right hand with the middle finger of the left hand and similarly index finger of the left hand with the middle finger of the right hand. Now join the ring finger of the left hand to the little finger of the right hand and vice a versa. When one points the fingers down in such a Mudra it looks like the udders of a cow and so is the name. " Would this be the same way we do it for the Durga puja? Sorry if I am confusing others but I was not clear on how to form this mudra. Thanks a lot, Prathibha , " sharanam_lalitambike " <prats74 wrote: > > Hello Srini, > Thanks a lot. This is what I was looking for. > > Durge Sharanam, > Jai Jagadambe! > Prathibha > > , " srini_sadhu " <srini_sadhu@> wrote: > > > > Om! > > > > Please see: > > > > http://www.shreemaa.org/drupal/node/297 > > > > Swamiji has said, " Each Mudra conveys a certain attitude and means > > something that you are saying to your beloved or friend. " > > > > So Mudras are means of communicating your feelings to God. As you > > repeatedly do the mudras, those attitudes and feelings become more and > > more part of your being and your approach to life. > > > > If you have practiced South Indian Classical Dance or have watched a > > performance, you will notice the dancers making Mudras. There are some > > teachers who specialize in teaching Mudras. > > > > As the dancers make the Mudras their facial expressions change to > > communicate the attitude or bhava that they want to express. So it all > > goes together: your attitude, your feelings, your facial expression, > > your mudras. With Her grace, there is harmony in all four, and you > > cultivate sincerity. > > > > If you watch the vcd " Meaning and Method of Worship, there is portion > > where Swamiji demonstrates the Mudras that we do before inviting the > > Deity into our hearts. You will understand what each Mudra conveys by > > watching the expression on His face. > > > > Sharanam to you! > > srini > > > > > > , " sharanam_lalitambike " > > <prats74@> wrote: > > > > > > Hi, > > > Can you please direct me to a page on the site on what the various > > > mudras and their usage. It would also be good to know their > > > significance. I am still doing the beginner Durga Puja and am not sure > > > of how to form the mudra. For example, the mudras to use for the > > > second line of the mantra " pushpa pushpa mahapusha.. " . > > > > > > Jai Ma, > > > Prathibha > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2007 Report Share Posted July 7, 2007 Hi Prathibha, I have been away for a couple of days, but it seems no one has answered your question yet (if they have, forgive me). Dhenu that we do is different than what you discribed. Here is what we do. Basically, starting from the little finger on each hand and working forward, each finger " crosses " the one next to it. It is easy for me to cross my index finger with my middle, but it would take a finger contortionist to cross the ring with the little finger without some help, so to begin use your other hand to grab the little finger and place it over the ring finger. I put mine all the way down past the second joint so it doesn't fall off (don't hurt yourself though!). Then do the other hand. Then cross your middle fingers over your index fingers on each hand. Now, if you look at both of your hands with the fingers all crossed you'll see there is a space in the middle of each hand, between the pairs of fingers. You will join the two hands by sliding the two spaces together to form the nice circular form you can see in the picture. Lay one of the thumbs over top of the other. That is dhenu mudra. You make a clockwise circle with it when you use it. Jai Maa! Chris , " sharanam_lalitambike " <prats74 wrote: > > Jai Ma!, > I was trying out the dhenu mudra and could not understand how to do it > from the image on our website. I googled and found a site which had to > say this about the dhenu mudra -- > > " For performing this Mudra, Face both hands to each other and join the > finger tips together, leaving the thumbs free as few inches apart. Now > join the index finger of the right hand with the middle finger of the > left hand and similarly index finger of the left hand with the middle > finger of the right hand. Now join the ring finger of the left hand to > the little finger of the right hand and vice a versa. When one points > the fingers down in such a Mudra it looks like the udders of a cow and > so is the name. " > > Would this be the same way we do it for the Durga puja? Sorry if I am > confusing others but I was not clear on how to form this mudra. > > Thanks a lot, > Prathibha > > > , " sharanam_lalitambike " > <prats74@> wrote: > > > > Hello Srini, > > Thanks a lot. This is what I was looking for. > > > > Durge Sharanam, > > Jai Jagadambe! > > Prathibha > > > > , " srini_sadhu " <srini_sadhu@> wrote: > > > > > > Om! > > > > > > Please see: > > > > > > http://www.shreemaa.org/drupal/node/297 > > > > > > Swamiji has said, " Each Mudra conveys a certain attitude and means > > > something that you are saying to your beloved or friend. " > > > > > > So Mudras are means of communicating your feelings to God. As you > > > repeatedly do the mudras, those attitudes and feelings become more and > > > more part of your being and your approach to life. > > > > > > If you have practiced South Indian Classical Dance or have watched a > > > performance, you will notice the dancers making Mudras. There are some > > > teachers who specialize in teaching Mudras. > > > > > > As the dancers make the Mudras their facial expressions change to > > > communicate the attitude or bhava that they want to express. So it all > > > goes together: your attitude, your feelings, your facial expression, > > > your mudras. With Her grace, there is harmony in all four, and you > > > cultivate sincerity. > > > > > > If you watch the vcd " Meaning and Method of Worship, there is portion > > > where Swamiji demonstrates the Mudras that we do before inviting the > > > Deity into our hearts. You will understand what each Mudra conveys by > > > watching the expression on His face. > > > > > > Sharanam to you! > > > srini > > > > > > > > > , " sharanam_lalitambike " > > > <prats74@> wrote: > > > > > > > > Hi, > > > > Can you please direct me to a page on the site on what the various > > > > mudras and their usage. It would also be good to know their > > > > significance. I am still doing the beginner Durga Puja and am > not sure > > > > of how to form the mudra. For example, the mudras to use for the > > > > second line of the mantra " pushpa pushpa mahapusha.. " . > > > > > > > > Jai Ma, > > > > Prathibha > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2007 Report Share Posted July 8, 2007 Namaste, That is interesting...I have discovered that I am physically incapable of doing this mudra properly. I wonder what one should do if that is the case? Swamiji? Jai Jagadambe Sushuddha On 7/6/07, Chris Kirner <chriskirner1956 wrote: Hi Prathibha,I have been away for a couple of days, but it seems no one hasanswered your question yet (if they have, forgive me).Dhenu that we do is different than what you discribed. Here is what we do. Basically, starting from the little finger on each hand and workingforward, each finger " crosses " the one next to it. It is easy for meto cross my index finger with my middle, but it would take a finger contortionist to cross the ring with the little finger without somehelp, so to begin use your other hand to grab the little finger andplace it over the ring finger. I put mine all the way down past thesecond joint so it doesn't fall off (don't hurt yourself though!). Then do the other hand. Then cross your middle fingers over your indexfingers on each hand. Now, if you look at both of your hands with the fingers all crossedyou'll see there is a space in the middle of each hand, between the pairs of fingers. You will join the two hands by sliding the twospaces together to form the nice circular form you can see in thepicture. Lay one of the thumbs over top of the other.That is dhenu mudra. You make a clockwise circle with it when you use it. Jai Maa!Chris , " sharanam_lalitambike " <prats74 wrote:>> Jai Ma!,> I was trying out the dhenu mudra and could not understand how to do it> from the image on our website. I googled and found a site which had to> say this about the dhenu mudra -- > > " For performing this Mudra, Face both hands to each other and join the> finger tips together, leaving the thumbs free as few inches apart. Now> join the index finger of the right hand with the middle finger of the > left hand and similarly index finger of the left hand with the middle> finger of the right hand. Now join the ring finger of the left hand to> the little finger of the right hand and vice a versa. When one points > the fingers down in such a Mudra it looks like the udders of a cow and> so is the name. " > > Would this be the same way we do it for the Durga puja? Sorry if I am> confusing others but I was not clear on how to form this mudra. > > Thanks a lot,> Prathibha> > > , " sharanam_lalitambike " > <prats74@> wrote:> >> > Hello Srini,> > Thanks a lot. This is what I was looking for. > > > > Durge Sharanam,> > Jai Jagadambe! > > Prathibha> > > > , " srini_sadhu " <srini_sadhu@> wrote:> > >> > > Om!> > > > > > Please see:> > > > > > http://www.shreemaa.org/drupal/node/297> > > > > > Swamiji has said, " Each Mudra conveys a certain attitude and means> > > something that you are saying to your beloved or friend. " > > > > > > So Mudras are means of communicating your feelings to God. As you> > > repeatedly do the mudras, those attitudes and feelings becomemore and> > > more part of your being and your approach to life. > > > > > > If you have practiced South Indian Classical Dance or have watched a> > > performance, you will notice the dancers making Mudras. Thereare some> > > teachers who specialize in teaching Mudras. > > > > > > As the dancers make the Mudras their facial expressions change to> > > communicate the attitude or bhava that they want to express. Soit all> > > goes together: your attitude, your feelings, your facial expression, > > > your mudras. With Her grace, there is harmony in all four, and you> > > cultivate sincerity.> > > > > > If you watch the vcd " Meaning and Method of Worship, there is portion> > > where Swamiji demonstrates the Mudras that we do before inviting the> > > Deity into our hearts. You will understand what each Mudraconveys by> > > watching the expression on His face. > > > > > > Sharanam to you!> > > srini> > > > > > > > > , " sharanam_lalitambike " > > > <prats74@> wrote:> > > >> > > > Hi,> > > > Can you please direct me to a page on the site on what the various > > > > mudras and their usage. It would also be good to know their> > > > significance. I am still doing the beginner Durga Puja and am> not sure> > > > of how to form the mudra. For example, the mudras to use for the > > > > second line of the mantra " pushpa pushpa mahapusha.. " .> > > > > > > > Jai Ma,> > > > Prathibha> > > >> > > > >> -- Matthew GindinTO, Canada416-633-7765 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2007 Report Share Posted July 8, 2007 Hi Chris, Thanks a lot! Its great to finally understand how to perform this mudra correctly. Thanks much. Jai Ma! Prathibha , " Chris Kirner " <chriskirner1956 wrote: > > Hi Prathibha, > > I have been away for a couple of days, but it seems no one has > answered your question yet (if they have, forgive me). > > Dhenu that we do is different than what you discribed. Here is what we > do. > > Basically, starting from the little finger on each hand and working > forward, each finger " crosses " the one next to it. It is easy for me > to cross my index finger with my middle, but it would take a finger > contortionist to cross the ring with the little finger without some > help, so to begin use your other hand to grab the little finger and > place it over the ring finger. I put mine all the way down past the > second joint so it doesn't fall off (don't hurt yourself though!). > Then do the other hand. Then cross your middle fingers over your index > fingers on each hand. > > Now, if you look at both of your hands with the fingers all crossed > you'll see there is a space in the middle of each hand, between the > pairs of fingers. You will join the two hands by sliding the two > spaces together to form the nice circular form you can see in the > picture. Lay one of the thumbs over top of the other. > > That is dhenu mudra. You make a clockwise circle with it when you use it. > > Jai Maa! > Chris > > > , " sharanam_lalitambike " > <prats74@> wrote: > > > > Jai Ma!, > > I was trying out the dhenu mudra and could not understand how to do it > > from the image on our website. I googled and found a site which had to > > say this about the dhenu mudra -- > > > > " For performing this Mudra, Face both hands to each other and join the > > finger tips together, leaving the thumbs free as few inches apart. Now > > join the index finger of the right hand with the middle finger of the > > left hand and similarly index finger of the left hand with the middle > > finger of the right hand. Now join the ring finger of the left hand to > > the little finger of the right hand and vice a versa. When one points > > the fingers down in such a Mudra it looks like the udders of a cow and > > so is the name. " > > > > Would this be the same way we do it for the Durga puja? Sorry if I am > > confusing others but I was not clear on how to form this mudra. > > > > Thanks a lot, > > Prathibha > > > > > > , " sharanam_lalitambike " > > <prats74@> wrote: > > > > > > Hello Srini, > > > Thanks a lot. This is what I was looking for. > > > > > > Durge Sharanam, > > > Jai Jagadambe! > > > Prathibha > > > > > > , " srini_sadhu " <srini_sadhu@> > wrote: > > > > > > > > Om! > > > > > > > > Please see: > > > > > > > > http://www.shreemaa.org/drupal/node/297 > > > > > > > > Swamiji has said, " Each Mudra conveys a certain attitude and means > > > > something that you are saying to your beloved or friend. " > > > > > > > > So Mudras are means of communicating your feelings to God. As you > > > > repeatedly do the mudras, those attitudes and feelings become > more and > > > > more part of your being and your approach to life. > > > > > > > > If you have practiced South Indian Classical Dance or have watched a > > > > performance, you will notice the dancers making Mudras. There > are some > > > > teachers who specialize in teaching Mudras. > > > > > > > > As the dancers make the Mudras their facial expressions change to > > > > communicate the attitude or bhava that they want to express. So > it all > > > > goes together: your attitude, your feelings, your facial expression, > > > > your mudras. With Her grace, there is harmony in all four, and you > > > > cultivate sincerity. > > > > > > > > If you watch the vcd " Meaning and Method of Worship, there is > portion > > > > where Swamiji demonstrates the Mudras that we do before inviting the > > > > Deity into our hearts. You will understand what each Mudra > conveys by > > > > watching the expression on His face. > > > > > > > > Sharanam to you! > > > > srini > > > > > > > > > > > > , " sharanam_lalitambike " > > > > <prats74@> wrote: > > > > > > > > > > Hi, > > > > > Can you please direct me to a page on the site on what the various > > > > > mudras and their usage. It would also be good to know their > > > > > significance. I am still doing the beginner Durga Puja and am > > not sure > > > > > of how to form the mudra. For example, the mudras to use for the > > > > > second line of the mantra " pushpa pushpa mahapusha.. " . > > > > > > > > > > Jai Ma, > > > > > Prathibha > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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