Mudras

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MUDRA is a sign. It is usually a symbolic gesture of hands and fingers. There are two types of MUDRAS namely ONE HANDED MUDRAS called ASAMYUKTA ( ಅಸಂಯುಕ್ತ ) or KEVALA ( ಕೇವಲ ) MUDRAS; and TWO HANDED MUDRAS called SAMYUKTA ( ಸಂಯುಕ್ತ ) MUDRAS.

 Mudras again may be SAANKETIKA ( ಸಾಂಕೇತಿಕ ), VASTUROOPA, and AAYUDHAGRAHANA ( ಆಯುಧಗ್ರಹಣ ).

ABHAYAMUDRA, VARADA (DAANA) MUDRA and VYAAKHYAANA MUDRA are the most popular SAANKETIKA MUDRAS.

In ABHAYA MUDRA the right palm fingers point upwards assuring protection. In VARADAMUDRA the fingers point downwards and in VYAAKHYAANAMUDRA the right hand fingers are held as while teaching or explaining.
SAANKETIKA MUDRAS are single hand mudras.

In the VASTUROOPA MUDRAS some thing is held in the hands. SARASVATI playing the VEENA or SHIVA holding the DAMARU ( ಡಮರು ) are examples of VASTUROOPA MUDRAS.

The AAYUDHA MUDRAS are those where the god holds an object such as PAASHA ( rope ), or ANKUSHA ( hook ) as in the case of GANAPATI.

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