What are Mudras – Etymology and History

Mudra is a Sanskrit word. It is derived from root words Mud + Dhra meaning that which dissolves duality

and brings the deity and devotee together. The Hatha Yoga Pradīpikā is a classic fifteenth-century Sanskrit manual on hatha yoga, written by Svātmārāma is among the most influential surviving texts on hatha yoga. As per this textbook there is not much differences between Bandhas and Mudras. Bandhas are extensively incorporated in mudra aswell as in pranayama techniques. Their locking action, however, reveals them as a fundamentally important group of practices.

Traditionally we hold our hands together during meditation and while offering prayers to deities. This position of our hands can influence energy of our physical, emotional and spiritual body.

One of the most striking features of Indian classical dance is the use of hand gestures. Speaking in dance via gestures, rather than orally, to visually convey outer events or things, as well as inner feelings, two classifications of specific traditional mudras (hand/finger gesture) are used in Indian Classical Dance, and indeed are a prominent part of the dancer's vocabulary. Approximately 55 root mudras are used in Classical dance classified as Samyukta Hasta (using both hands) and Asamyukta hasta (Using single hand). The dancing form of Lord Shiva is known as Nataraja, and this offering to Lord Shiva is called as Dhyana.

Shloka which says:

“Whose bodily movement is the entire Universe

Whose speech is the language (of the Universe)

Whose ornaments are the moon and the stars

Him, we version the pure (serene) Lord Shiva!”

Mudras are also an integral part of many religious customs of Hindus and Buddhists. The most common Mudra that we use is the Anjali Mudra (Salutation Seal, sometimes called Prayer symbol), as a reminder that our practice is a form of prayer or offering to your true Self. We often perform this Mudra while doing meditation or Yoga or while offering prayers to the almighty.