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[Full title: Materials of worship (1) Sadhana of the Sadhaka (4) Mudras or Gestures]

The meaning of mudra means gestures of signs. Mudras are the gestures which help in the worship process. In the Sri-vidyarnava-tantra 89 two definitions of mudra are given. (I) The word mudra is composed of two parts - (i) 'Mud' which means the benefit of obtaining one's original self and (ii) 'Dra' which means that which is offered. Together it means that which is offered for obtaining the original self ie. the goddess and, which is present within the body is mudra. 88 Mahalakshmi Ratnakosa XVII. 6,7. 89 Sri-vidyarnava-tantra ch. XIX

(II) A mudra is the one which causes release and melting ie. mudra is that which frees one from grasps and which causes the sins to melt. According to the MYS 90 mudras serve two purposes - they increase the pleasure of the deities and destroy sins of the sadhaka. There are many mudras which help the process of worship. Tantras speak about some specific gestures which are special to the worship of the goddess. It is stated in the Lalitasahasranama, the goddess becomes pleased whn worshipped with the display of the ten mudras. Ten Sakta mudras are listed in the Mahalakshmi Ratnakosa" which are as follows - (i) Trikhanda, (ii) Ksobhini, (iii) Sarvadravini, (iv) Akarsini, (v) Sarvavasyakari, (vi) Unmadini, (vii) Mahankusa, (viii) Khecari,(ix) Bija (x) Yoni. Below is listed the function of each mudra No. Mudra Purpose 1. Trikhanda Invocation 23 2. Ksobhini Agitation 3. Vidravini Driving away (of enemies) 45 4. Akarsini 5. Sarvavasyakari Attracting the three worlds Brings every one under subjugation. 6. Unmadini Moistens all women 7. Mahankusa Success in all endeavours 8 Khecari Becomes dear of the yoginis 9. Bija Who diverts all the sucesses 90 MYS 53.1 91 Mahalakshmi Ratnakosa XV. 3-22.

10. Yoni -not mentionedThe MYS⁹lists the specific mudras which please the different goddesses. They are listed in a tabular format for a quick check below No. Name Goddess of No of List of mudras. mudras 1 Durga Nine Pasa, Ankusa, Vara, Abhaya, Khadga, Carma, Dhanu, Sara and Musala. 2 Laksmi One Laksmi. 3 Sarasvati Four Aksamala, Vina, Vyakha and Pustaka. I. 4 Goddess One Mahayoni mudra. 1. 5 Syama One Munda mudra. 6 Tripurasundari Ten Ksobhini, Dravini, Akarsini, Vasya, Unmadini, Mahankusa, Khecari, Bija, Yoni, Trikhanda. Apart from the above specific mudras, the there are some special mudras for specific rites such as, the Kumbha mudra for consecrational rites, the Padma mudra for asana, Kalakarini mudra for suppression of disturbances and Glani mudra for purification of water"³. 93 MYS 53.11-19. 93 MYS 53.19-20