Mudras used in Hindu worshipThe 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. Other pages of interest >The Shodasa (16) Upacharas in Pooja

Ankushamudra

Apanamudra

Avahanamudra

Bandhananamudra

Chaturashramudra

Dhenumudra

Gyanamudra

Kaulinimudra

Lelihanamudra

Matsyamudra

Mrugimudra

Mudgaramudra

Pranamudra

Ripujivhamudra

Samanamudra

Sammukhimudra

Sankalpamudra

Sannirudhamudra

Sannitapamudra

Sansthapanamudra

Sarvabeejamudra

Sarvakarshinimudra

Sarvakhecharimudra

Sarvamahankushamudra

Sarvasankshobhinimudra

Sarvavashankarimudra

Sarvavidravinimudra

Sarvonmadinimudra

Soubhagyadandinimudra

Stapanimudra

Suvruttamudra

Tarpanamudra

Tatwamudra

Trikhandaamudra

Udanamudra

Upasamharamudra

Vyanamudra

Yonimudra

Linga Mudra

Soorya Mudra