MUDRAS

 The word Mudra derived from the Sanskrit root “mud”, which refers “to delight in” or “seal,” Mudras are described as hand positions, each area of the hand as a reflex reaction in the specific part of the brain.   Mudra s are an essential part of Classical Indian Dance, Yoga, and other spiritually based practices. Mudras are practiced for concentration, healing, and expressing the vast array of human emotion and experience. Mudras redirect the energy flow, linking the individual energy with universal force.            

Pathaka 
Pathaka (Hastha) is the first Mudra of the single handed Mudras as described in the Abhinaya Darpana. The name Pathaka means ‘Flag’. Hastha means 'Hand'. The thumb is slightly bent to touch the fingers and the fingers are extended, the Palm is flat, there should be no gap between the fingers. The gesture is mainly used in sarikal Adavu  and Murka Adavu.



Tripataaka
It  means “three parts of the flag”. In this Mudra, all the fingers are held straight and close together like the stop sign except for the ring finger which is bent.
 to practice from Pathaka, bend the ring finger into horizontal position at the lower joint.

Kataka-mukha Mudra
             According to mythology this Mudra originated from Guha when Bharatha muni practiced archery in front of Shiva. Bring your thumb together with your index and middle fingers. All fingers stretched and active. Stretch your ring and little fingers upward. Second variation of this Mudra is when you maintain Kapitta hand with your thumb and index finger while extending the middle finger forward and the ring and little fingers upward.

Arala 
 Arala mudra is also discribed as Hasta Viniyoga,  to practise this mudra  from Pataaka, bend the index finger halfway down. According to one source it was first used by Agastya in drinking the 7 seas.
Vishadhyam Amruhtam Panay - Drinking poison or nectar, Prachanda Pavan ViolentWind,Sukathunda (Parrot’s beak) Hasta Viniyog,  SukthunArdha-Chandra .These are the arala Mudra usages as described in the Abhinaya Darpana


Ardha Chandra 
According to  unknown sources this hand originated from the desire of Shiva for ornaments, of which the moon is one. In Ardhachandra all the finger are held straight and together, except the thumb finger which is held apart. It is just like the Pataka gesture , but the thumb finger is held straight and not bent like in Pataka.  To practise from  Pataaka, extand your thumb out away from your palm.

Mushti 
Mushti is a Sanskrit word which means closed hand or fist. Our body has natural tendency to react to negative emotions such as anger, aggression, fear, irritation and frustration by closing fist the four fingers are bent into the palm, and the thumb wraps on top of them in to a fist.

Sikhara
This Mudra originated from Chandrasekhara (Shiva), when he held Mt. Meru as his bow. The associated sage is  Jihna Fingers held as in the Kapithaka mode, with the middle finger slightly bent forward and the index finger held straight is Sikhara. Some signs shown in the Sikhara mode using both palms: Walk, legs, eyes, see, pathway, enquire, ears and drink.

Kartari Mukha  
It is known by many name scissors face or arrow shift face. This Mudra mans scissors or a shape of an arrow.karthari mukha is used to denote a number of things. This thongs are very common and a part and parcel of our daily life.  To practice this Mudra from Ardha-Pataaka, open the index and middle fingers into scissors like shape
  Simhamukha Mudra
Simhamukha means Lion -faced. In the Hindu Mythology lord Narashimha Murthy (an incarnation of Vishnu) has the face of a Lion. He is Known as the “Great Protector” of his Devotees . To practice this mudra hold your hand raised, stretch your little finger and index finger upward while bending and applying the tips of the middle and ring fingers to meet with the thumb.

Suchi Mudra 
 According to mythology it originates from Brahma, when he declared “I’m unique”. Its sage is Sun, its race Deva, its color white, its patron deity Visvakarma. To practice this mudra  Stretch your index finger up keeping the rest of the fingers collected under the tip of the thumb. English: “needle” Additional Names: Nirdeshika

Kapittha
The mudra is also noted in the Natya Sastra, and in Abhinaya Chandrika  According to mythology this mudra originates from the time the churning of the ocean was done and Vishnu used this hand gesture to pull upon Mt. Mandara. To practice this mudra curl the little, ring, and middle fingers into your palm. Stretch your thumb by the side of your palm, and cap it with the pad of your index finger directly above the tip of the thumb. Primarily used in dance and theater to create context and express emotional states or specific actions.
Sarpashirsha 
According to mythology this mudra originated from Vishnu, who used this hand gesture while becoming Vamana to protect the Devas against Bali. To practice this mudra Hold your hand raised, fingers together and palm facing forward. Bend your fingers slightly, rounding them in and cupping the hand to form the shape of a snake hood.this mudra  is also noted in the Natya Shastra.
Anjali mudra
This mudra is practices by pressing the palms of the hands together. The fingers are together with fingertips pointing up. The hands are pressed together firmly and evenly Anjali mudra is normally accompanied by a slight bowing of the head. It is used as a sign of respect and a greeting in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Indonesia. The gesture is also used for worship in many Eastern religions
Hamsasye
. Hamsasye means a Swan’s Beak. If three fingers are held straightened like a wing of a swan and the little finger is raised and the thumb is kept bent, it is the Hamsapaksha hasta. Usages: touching the chin as a gesture of apologizing or embarrassment, showing respect

Pallava. 
Holding four fingers straight and the thumb touching the bottom of the ring finger is Pallava. . It is noted in the Natya Sastra as Ala-pallava. According to mythology, the mudra originates from Shri Krishna, referring to the time when he was a young child stealing butter and milk. The associated sage is Vasanta, race is Gandharva, To practice this mudra  turn your palm to face upward and stretch all fingers keeping them separated and extended. Turn your little finger toward your palm and fan out the rest of the fingers evenly away from the little finger.
Shukatunda
Shukatunda literally means a Parrots Head when the Index finger of the Suchi Mudra is bent, we get the Tamrachuda hasta. Also while the doing the Mukula hasta, if the Index finger is held like a question mark, we get the Tamrachuda. Tamrachua means a Cock or a Cocks head.
Katakaa 
While in the Simhamukha hand gesture, the Middle finger and the ring finger is bent to form an arch. Also the thumb is slightly bent. Thus a “C” shape is formed with the Middle finger, Ring finger and the thumb. The other fingers are Erect.
Mudrakhya 
The tips of the index finger and the thumb curved to touch each other, with the other fingers held straight is Mudrakhya.  Mudrakhya using both palms indicates: Growth, movement, heaven, ocean, dense, forgetfulness, all, inform, objects, death, meditation, sacred thread worn by Brahmins and denoting a straight line.
Bhramara
Bhramara means male bee. Bhramara is a Sanskrit word and Bhramara Mudra has its root in traditional Indian dance form. Place your index finger at the root of the thumb, and the tip of your thumb on the side of your middle fingernail. Extend the other two fingers. Do it with both hands.

Mrigashirsa 
According to mythology this mudra originated from Gauri, when the drew three lines on her forehead while practicing taps. To practice this mudra fingers are bent from the knuckles except for the little finger and the thumb which is held  used to denote the following:-

Mukula Mudra?
Mukula Mudra is also called ‘hand beak mudra’ and is performed to get various physical and mental benefits. The hand in this Mudra resembles the bud of a lotus flower. You will start feeling something similar to magnetic force near finger tips. While continuing this mudra, imagine that all toxics in body and 7 chakras are eliminated without losing concentration.
Mukura
The index and the little finger held straight, bending forward the ring and the middle finger, curving the thumb under them is Mukura. Some signs shown in the Mukura mode using both palms indicate fangs of animals, pangs of separation, ankle, waist, the Vedas, brother, pillar, grindstone, hasty person, ghost and growth. One palm indicates : A foe, bee, light rays, anger, goodness, bangles, neck, shoulder ornament and denial.