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Significance of Mudra

Mudra, in various spiritual traditions, refers to symbolic hand gestures or positions that carry significant meanings and facilitate spiritual practices. In Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism, Mudras are used in meditation and rituals to represent teachings, intentions, and energies. Additionally, it's employed in dance forms like Kathakali to convey emotions and stories. Recognized across numerous disciplines, Mudras enhance focus, channel spiritual energy, and embody core principles of various religious practices, making them integral to both ritualistic and meditative experiences.1
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Synonyms: Gesture, Sign, Symbol, Indication, Posture

In Dutch: Mudra; In German: Mudra; In Finnish: Mudra; In Spanish: Mudra; In Swedish: Mudra; In Malay: Mudra; In French: Mudra

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Mudra'

Buddhism Books

Mudra in Buddhism refers to symbolic hand gestures that convey specific meanings and spiritual principles. These gestures play a crucial role in meditation, rituals, and iconography, representing the practitioner's intentions and enhancing enlightened consciousness.

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: The gods of northern Buddhism

(1) A symbolic hand gesture used in rituals and meditations, often conveying specific meanings in Buddhist practices.[1] (2) Hand gestures used in Buddhist iconography to convey different meanings and attributes of the Buddhas.[2] (3) Symbolic hand gestures used in Buddhist practice, which convey specific meanings and represent spiritual principles.[3] (4) A symbolic hand gesture representing specific spiritual meanings and intentions, used in Buddhist iconography.[4] (5) Symbolic hand gestures used in Buddhist art and practice to convey specific meanings and intentions.[5]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Significance in Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism):
Tibetan Buddhism Books

From: The Six Yogas of Naropa

(1) This refers to an element that should be a well-gifted sentient being, and must be practiced conscientiously, otherwise, it could lead to negative consequences.[6] (2) Symbolic hand gestures used in yoga and meditation to enhance specific energetic states and intentions.[7]

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha鈥檚 words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayana) are collected indepently.

Significance in Buddhism (general):

From: The Great Chariot

(1) A gesture or position, often involving the body, that acts as a representation of the teachings and capabilities of the practitioner.[8]

Hindu concept of 'Mudra'

Hinduism Books

Mudra in Hinduism refers to hand gestures that convey intentions, enhance spiritual practices, and facilitate meditation and worship. These symbolic gestures are integral to rituals, evoking divine energies and expressing devotion.

Significance in Shaktism (Shakta philosophy):
Shaktism Books

From: Shakti and Shakta

(1) Specific hand gestures used in rituals and meditative practices, embodying various symbolic meanings and enhancing spiritual experiences.[9] (2) In this context, it refers not merely to ritual gestures but more broadly to the meaning as parched cereal in Tantrik rituals.[10] (3) Symbolic hand gestures used in rituals, significant in both worship and Yoga.[11] (4) Gestures of the hands used in rituals and worship that express devotion and focus the mind on the divine.[12] (5) Gestures made with the hands during rituals to express intentions and enhance the spiritual effectiveness of the worship.[13]

Shakta or Shaktism (shaktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Devi Bhagavata Purana

(1) Symbolic hand gestures used in rituals to convey specific meanings to the deities.[14] (2) A symbolic hand gesture or body position used in yoga and meditation to facilitate spiritual awakening.[15] (3) Specific hand gestures or symbols used during worship to communicate with the Divine and signify respect.[16]

From: Garuda Purana

(1) Symbolic hand gestures used in spiritual practices, representing various aspects of divinity during worship.[17] (2) Symbolic hand gestures performed during the ritual to convey meaning or intention.[18] (3) Symbolic hand gestures used in worship and meditation that help to invoke spiritual energies.[19]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India鈥檚 vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)

(1) stamped symbols associated with diksha and sacred practices[20]

From: Chaitanya Bhagavata

(1) Symbolic hand gestures used in Hindu and Buddhist ceremonies, often signifying certain intentions or energies during rituals.[21]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (鈥榯en avatars of Vishnu鈥�).

Significance in Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy):
Natyashastra Books

From: Abhinaya-darpana (English)

(1) Hand gestures in Indian dance and drama that convey specific meanings, akin to seals or symbols.[22] (2) A hand gesture or formation that is part of the twenty-seven Combined Hands.[23]

Natyashastra refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya鈥攖heatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).

Significance in Yoga (school of philosophy):
Yoga Books

From: Shat-cakra-nirupana (the six bodily centres)

(1) Refers to the gestures of dispelling fear and granting boons made by Hakini, which signify her powers and grace.[24]

From: Yoga-sutras (with Bhoja鈥檚 Rajamartanda)

(1) Gestures or postures in Yoga distinct from Asanas, often involving upper limbs.[25]

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as asanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

From: Thirty minor Upanishads

(1) A symbolic hand gesture or position that is used in meditation to facilitate spiritual energy flow.[26]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

Jain concept of 'Mudra'

Jainism Books

In Jainism, Mudra signifies a feminine noun representing specific bodily positions for meditation, which are essential to spiritual practices and embody the principles of Jain philosophy in achieving inner peace and enlightenment.

Significance in Jainism (general):

From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra

(1) A feminine noun referring to a position of body for meditation; indicates spiritual practices.[27]

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, 鈥榮elf-reliance鈥�) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

The concept of Mudra in local and regional sources

History Books

Mudra encompasses hand gestures in Indian classical dance, especially Kathakali, to convey emotions and narratives. It also refers to specific mudras in Hathayoga, symbolizing deeper philosophical concepts and enhancing performance through expressive movement.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Triveni Journal

(1) Hand gestures used in Indian classical dance to convey meanings and emotions.[28] (2) Hand gestures used in Indian classical dance, particularly Kathakali, which Shanta has learned to perform exceptionally well.[29] (3) Hand gestures used in Kathakali to convey meanings and emotions as part of the performance.[30] (4) Gestures or symbolic hand positions depicted in sculptures, conveying ethical ideas based on religious and philosophical concepts.[31] (5) Hand gestures used in Kathakali and other forms of Indian dance to communicate meanings and enhance storytelling.[32]

From: History of Science in South Asia

(1) Mudra refers to the three mudras, mahamudra, mahabandha, and mahavedha, that became central to the practice of Hathayoga and the practice of these mudras stimulates digestive fire, which initiates a chain reaction.[33]