Yog Sadhan Ashram Blog
These mudras are explained here briefly, the readers can refer to the following scriptures for elaborate information on these.
(Any of the mudras described here should not be practiced without learning from an experienced Yogi Guru).
Open the mouth wide and take the air in through the throat. (Draw the air in and out through mouth without holding in). This mudra slows down the ageing. Diseases of the stomach and constipation etc. are especially cured faster with Bhujangini Mudra.
Stay in the the water up to neck, take the water in through the nose and throw it out through the mouth. Then take water in mouth and throw it out from nose. Repeat it several times. This mudra slows down the ageing. The sadhaka of this mudra will live happily where ever he lives.
Make lips like beak of a crow and take air in slowly. (The air is drawn in and out from mouth). It cures many diseases and keeps a person free from diseases like a crow.
Both the legs are taken behind the neck as tied in a net. Similarly tie the body strongly. It makes a person energetic, enhances strength and health (pushti).
This mudra is done by contracting in and pushing out the rectum again and again as a horse does after discharging waste. This mudra enhances strength and curses all disorders of rectum.
This mudra is of five kinds:-
All these are briefly explained here.
i) Prithvi dharana Mudra: The color of the earth element is yellow like turmeric. ‘Lakara’ is the seed of this element. With the help of yogic practice, concentrate by this seed, in the ‘Muladhara Chakra’. At the same time breathe in and while holding the breath for two hours (5 ghadi = 2 hours; 1 ghadi = 24 minutes) do not let the mind deviate. With this dharana the sadhaka gets no obstruction at all.
Note: (Holding of the breath for two hours is in such a way that the air is filled in with a deep breath and then not emptied completely but light breathing continues. It can be illustrated as a bucket is placed under a running tap; the water of the bucket gets replaced without emptying it. It is the same for all mudras where it is mentioned to hold breath for two hours).
ii) Jala dharana Mudra: The color of water element is white like conch and moon and it is beautiful like bright lotus. ‘Vakara’ is the seed of this and God Brahama resides here. With the help of a yogic practice concentrate on the group of the water element in ‘Swadhishthana Chakra’ and at the same time breathe in and stabilize in Kumbhaka pranayama for two hours. This mudra does away with the unbearable troubles and sins of the individual. (Breathe in with both nostrils).
iii) Agni dharana Mudra: The place of the fire element is the navel. Its color is bright red. ‘Rakar’ is the seed here and Vishnu is the God of the place. There is a group of radiant elements here. It is enlightening and begets divine powers. With the strength of yoga awaken this fire element here in the ‘Manipur Chakra’, do ‘Kumbhaka’ for two hours with a concentrated mind. With the practice of this mudra, the sadhaka gets rid of the worldly fears.
iv) Vayavi dharana Mudra: This air element is of ash-black color. ‘Yakar’ is the seed of this and Shiva is the God of the place Anahata Chakra. This element is satvagunamya (which bestows virtues). With the practice of yoga, while doing Kumbhaka pranayama, concentrate on ‘Anahata Chakra’ for two hours. With the practice of this mudra, sadhaka can never die because of respiratory problems.
v) Akashi dharana Mudra: The sky is the element of this and its color is bright like pure sea water. The soul is the God of this place Vishudha Chakra, and ‘hakar’ is the seed of it. Meditate on this sky element by concentrating in ‘Vishudha Chakra’. Simultaneously, do Kumbhaka for two hours. This mudra opens the door to moksha or liberation.
Look in the center of the eyebrows or view both the eyebrows with stable sight, concentrate mind and realize the self (soul) there.
Bend the head forward and move the tip of the tongue up towards to uvula and slowly consume the nectar secreted from the Sahasrara-kamal (skull).
Contract the stomach in and make it like a deep pit there. Breathe out and hold it in this way. With the practice of this mudra one becomes free from old age and diseases.