== SPECIALITY OF MUDRAS ==
Namaskar,
In our Marga, there are numerous practices we have which guide us through
our various activities of life. One of which is the use of mudras-because
the touch so many aspects of our existence from our dances & salutations
(greetings) to sadhana, and more. Indeed as Ananda Margiis not a day goes
by where we do not practice a wide selection of mudras.
WHAT ARE MUDRAS
Of course everyone in AM knows that mudras refer to very specific &
deliberate body positions. Often these mudras convey a particular idea and
in some cases mudras refer to a more strenuous type of exercise than an
asana. Here below is a brief look at the use of mudras in AM life.
SOME COMMON MUDRAS WE USE
Certainly we are all aware about our namaskar mudra. This greeting or
salutation pose comes under the category of namah mudras. And by this
physical movement we are conveying an particular idea.
Baba says, "Mudra is the 'externalisation of an internal feeling' and means
'to express the desires of the mind'." (PNS-18, p.34)
Thus in our namaskar mudra we are greeting someone with a particular
ideation.
Plus we use mudras when we kneel and extend our palms in Guru Puja. Or to
pay our respects, reverence and surrender to Guru we lie straight in
sastaunga pranam. This also is a type of namah mudra. Then when we offer
something to anyone we touch our right elbow with our left hand; this comes
within the category of sampradam mudra.
Baba says, "One should receive or offer something with the following
mudra': Extend the right hand, touching the right elbow with the left
hand." (CC-2, 'Social Norms, pt#3)
And then of course in our dances whether that be kiirtan or a classical
dance of Prabhat Samgiita then mudras are used extensively. In our Baba Nam
Kevalam kiirtan we use lalita marmika with its special mudras and in
classical dance a wide variety mudras are used.
Baba says, "The science of dance recognizes about 850 mudra's [meaningful
gestures], such as namo mudra', lalita mudra', barada' mudra', abhaya
mudra, am'kusha mudra', maha' mudra', ka'kacaincu mudra', tejasii mudra',
a'mbha'sii mudra', pa'rthivii mudra', va'yavii mudra', a'ka'shii
mudra'..." (APH-8)
And in total, there are thousands and thousands of mudras in human
existence. Even to convey our simple answers of 'yes' and 'no' we nod or
shake our head in a particular way to convey our answer. This also comes
within the category of mudra'.
Here Baba describes more about the common use of mudras in daily life.
Baba says, "A mudra' expresses Bha'va without creating any sound. For
example, if you call someone to come near you, you make a particular
movement of your palm [gives Mudra']. When you tell somebody to go away
you make another kind of movement with your palm [gives Mudra']. Similarly,
when you feel thirsty and need a glass of water to drink you make a
particular corresponding Mudra'." (AV-12, "Dances and the Path of
Vidya')
Thus mudras are a distinct element in the life of any sadhaka. Mudras are
used in all spheres of existence: Dance, physico-psychic exercises,
ideation, social occasions, offerings etc.
BENEFITS OF MUDRAS
Each mudra play an important role and they give greater meaning to a given
activity or practice. So they have deep value.
For instance one can do sastaunga pranam mentally, but if one does
sastaunga pranam using the proper mudra then that give a greater sense of
surrender. And anyone will feel that beneficial effect in their mind.
Likewise we can sing kiirtan by sitting down but by dancing kiirtan with
the appropriate mudra then naturally more devotional feelings comes in the
mind. This is the common experience of all sadhakas.
Baba says, "In Lalita Ma'rmika, the position of the arms is above 90
degrees. This denotes that it is a Mudra' - in Sam'skrta it is called a
'Mudra''. This Mudra' means, 'O Supreme Creator, Thou art mine and I am
Yours. I am Thine'." (AV-12)
Baba says, "Lalita ma'rmika is purely a devotional dance. The elbows must
be placed above the 90° position in relation to the shoulders. The upraised
hands indicate the spirit of surrender." (May 22, '79, Hannover, Germany)
And in our kaoshikii & tandava dances the mudras employed provide
tremendous force and make the body, mind, and spirit healthy and strong.
So the benefits of mudra are well known.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MUDRAS AND ASANAS
When used as a form of physico-psychic exercise, mudras have a distinct use
that is different from that of an asana. Asana is a position of ease where
there is not need to put forth any sustained such as in padmasana or
viirasnana. One can easily & comfortably remain in those positions for long
periods. But with mudras such as uddayan mudra one has to bend forward and
draw the naval point in and hold the breath-- it takes great effort and
cannot be held for a long time.
Here Baba talks more about the differences between mudras and asanas.
Baba says, "Mudra's are postures which exercise the nerves and
muscles...The practitioner of mudra' may or may not enjoy physical comfort
and mental composure. During the practice of mudra's one has to continue
one's conscious endeavour to remain in that posture, but in the case of
a'sanas one need not." (YP, 'Q & A on Meditation')
Baba says, "A'sanas are calm, quiet and easy postures which are held with
proper inhalation and exhalation. They exercise the nerves, tissues, glands
and organs of the human body. While practising a'sanas one enjoys physical
comfort and mental composure." (YP, 'Q & A on Meditation')
COMMONALTIES BETWEEN MUDRAS AND ASANAS
Mudras and asanas in a similar type of way as they both provide either a
pressurizing or depressurizing effect on particular gland or sub-gland and
that affects the glandular secretions which in turn affects the related
propensity.
In general, by applying pressure that increases the glandular secretion and
that increases the particular propensity. Whereas taking pressure off a
particular gland works in the opposite manner. It decreases the secretion
and activity of the corresponding propensity.
For example we can apply pressure to our manipur cakra by doing mayurasana
(peacock pose) or by doing agnisara mudra. Both increase the glandular
secretions of that area.
And when we do our sarvaungasana (shoulder stand) and matsyamudra (fish)
then we are alternately applying pressure and taking pressure off of our
thyroid gland. If the thyroid gland is underactive then we should do
sarvaungasana and if it is overactive then we must do matsymudra. And for
those who are healthy persons then practicing both is ideal.
BABA REVEALS THE SPECIAL PROCESS OF MUDRAS AND ASANAS
Here Baba describes in greater detail how our asanas and mudras work.
Baba says, "Each and every mudra' affects certain human glands in a
particular way and thus influences people's minds accordingly." (NSS,
Discourse 2)
Baba says, "All a'sanas [and mudras] have either a pressurizing or
depressurizing effect on the glands and sub-glands. For example,
mayu'ra'sana [peacock posture] has a pressurizing effect on the
man'ipuracakra. The secretions of the glands and sub-glands of the
man'ipura cakra and the propensities associated with them will become more
balanced if this a'sana is practised regularly."
"If someone has a great fear of public speaking, it means his man'ipura
cakra is weak. Through the regular practice of mayu'ra'sana, this
propensity will be controlled and fear will be eliminated."
"Other a'sanas [and mudras] may have a depressurizing effect on the
man'ipura cakra, and if these a'sanas are performed regularly the glands
and sub-glands associated with the cakra will become less active. Increased
glandular secretions generally make the propensities more active and vice
versa."
"By practising a'sanas [and mudras] regularly, one can control the
propensities and either increase or decrease their activity. So spiritual
aspirants should select the a'sanas they perform very carefully. This
effect of a'sanas on glands and sub-glands has never been revealed before."
(YP, 1998 Edn.)
Thus in day to day life we should be intimately aware how to use mudras in
each and every sphere of our existence.
Namaskar,
Nagendra
Note: NO TIME FOR MUDRAS IN CRUDE MATERIAL EXISTENCE
When deeply engrossed in this materialistic era, people rush around so much
that they do not have time to follow the proper mudra system in their
practical life. Indeed they often do not know what mudras are. And instead
of eating in a proper manner they eat while driving their car and do the
"drive-thru" etc. They feel they have no time to do all things in a proper
and systematic way. Instead of properly offering water to someone they just
leave it on the table for anyone to grab and they do not politely give it
directly in their hand using the correct mudra etc. In that way, in modern
materialistic life-- especially in the cities-- everything gets done in a
shortcut way. Because of this people are losing their mental balance and
composure. What bliss one gets from sastaunga pranam cannot be gotten by
just mentally doing sastaunga pranam etc. Now common people are step by
step losing the link between their heart and mind-- they are just
mechanical in their dealings. This is the sad state or affairs nowadays. Of
course for Ananda Margiis it is not like that as by Baba's grace we are
moving along the path of dharma in our each and every thought, word,
action, & gesture. Even then we should be careful not to fall into that
shortcut syndrome of materialistic bent of mind.
