Mudras - Different hand and finger gestures

Mudras - Different hand and finger gestures

Mudras are the gestures of hand and fingers.The Mudras are believed to have curative effects for diseases.

Mudras are used in Natya Sastra and Tatvayoga Sastra. Mudras are systematic gestures of hand and fingers.In Natya Sastra they are used as means of communication to convey the inner feelings and expressions.The Mudras are also believed to have curative effect on the body.This is mentioned in Tatvayoga.

The Five Elements

The living body is made up of five elements. They are Fire, Wind, Ether , Earth and Water. Whenever imbalances of these elements occur, the immunity system gets disrupted and diseases are caused. The Mudras help in making up for the deficiencies of these elements by connecting one part of the body with the other.

The five elements are represented by the five fingers as given below

Thumb          : Fire
Index Finger : Wind
Middle Finger : Ether
Ring Finger : Earth
Little Finger : Water

A finger representing an element when brought into contact with the thumb, then the particular element is balanced. The disease caused by the imbalance of that element is cured.
Electromagnetic currents are passed within the body when the tips of the fingers are brought into contact. 
The Mudras should be learned from a Guru and then practiced.
The following are some of the Mudras and their supposed curative effects.