मुद्रा
Mudra
(mudrā)Gesture or seal; hand positions used in yoga and meditation to direct energy
Full Meaning
Mudrā means "seal" or "gesture." In yoga, mudras are specific hand and body positions that seal or direct the flow of prāṇa (life force). Different mudras are used in meditation, dance (Bharatanatyam has 28 single-hand mudras and 24 double-hand mudras), ritual, and everyday sacred gesture.
Etymology
From the root mud (मुद्) — to delight, to please. Or from mud (seal) — that which seals or closes a circuit of energy.
Usage in Sanskrit Texts
The añjali mudrā (palms together at the heart) is used in namaste. The chin mudrā (index finger touching thumb) is used in meditation. The abhaya mudrā (palm raised, showing "do not fear") is seen in images of deities.
अभयमुद्रा — The gesture of fearlessness. The raised palm of the deity saying: "Do not fear."
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