Ganesha Mudra – Meaning, How To Do, Benefits, Tridosha Effects

By Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Ganesha Mudra is named after the Hindu deity Lord Ganesha who is believed to be remover of all obstacles in one’s life. The gesture is also supposed to relieve stress and tensions in one’s life and lift one’s spirits when practiced regularly.

Ganesha = Lord Ganesha, the Indian Elephant God
Mudra = gesture / seal / mark / pose

Table of Contents

Procedure

It is a yogic hand gesture i.e. a type of hasta mudra. It helps the practitioner to connect to and awaken the energy within oneself.
Read – Mudra – The Science Of Gesture: Benefits, Types, How To Practice

Sit in a comfortable position. Sukhasana i.e. easy pose or Padmasana i.e. lotus pose are preferable.
Take few breaths in and out and relax your body.
Bring your palms together such that they touch each other in ‘offering gesture’ i.e. ‘Anjali Mudra’.
Now swivel your hands so that your fingertips point towards opposite elbows. Let your right palm face your heart.
Now, bend your fingers. Slide your hands across each other until your fingers lock.
The interlocked hands are energetically pulled apart without releasing the grip.
Repeat on the other side also i.e. reverse the lock.
Next deepen the pose.
Chant the Ganesha Mantra while you get into this gesture. Invoke the lord and his powers with each exhalation by chanting his name. Alternatively you may hear the Ganesha Mantra.
Breathe – ‘Gam’ or ‘Om Ganapatayei Namaha’.

Alternatively the left hand is placed in front of the chest with palm out. The left hand is grasped with the right hand. The fingers are interlocked. Importantly the hands stay at the level of the heart. The interlocked hands are pulled apart.

Release – Slowly unlock your fingers. Come to the Anjali Mudra. Separate your palms and come to the comfortable pose or Sukhasana in which you had begun the gesture. Relax.

Video – Ganesh Mudra – Removes obstacles, enhance prosperity

Benefits

Relieves stress, fear, worry and tension
Boosts confidence
Lifts up the spirits
Builds courage to overcome anything that is holding one back
Physically and energetically strengthening for the heart, the place from where the courage and confidence takes their origin
Relieves sadness, negative thoughts and depression
Increases mood and keeps one motivated
Removes obstacles in the body and mind, develops positivity
Strengthens the muscles of arms, chest, heart and shoulders
It releases the tension in the lungs and breathing apparatus, enables easy breathing
Kindles the digestive fire, digestion and metabolism
Regulates functioning of the heart, strengthens heart, opens up love and compassion
Read – Tips To Enhance Effect Of Mudra, 5 Mudra Groups, Rules Of Hasta Mudra

Time, Duration

When and for what time it should be practiced?

Like any other mudra, Ganesha Mudra too bestows good benefits when practiced on empty stomach, at the early part of the day. It can in fact be done at any part of the day. The mudra can be practiced even after food provided it is done 45-60 minutes after food and not immediately.

For maximum benefits it shall be practiced 5-6 times a day. The focus and visualization should be on Ganesha and the symbolism of this gesture throughout the act. The mind should be focused on the act.

This gesture is mainly beneficial when practiced when one is tired or in some sort of trouble.

It can be practiced as a part of morning prayers, meditation or while practicing pranayama.

Related Video Ganesha Mudra – Anahata Chakra

Relation with elements

Ganesha Mudra is associated with fire element. Therefore it balances the fire element and related pitta in the body. By doing so it is said to help stimulate the metabolism and digestion.

Relation with Chakras

Ganesha Mudra is related to Anahata Chakra, i.e. the heart chakra. It opens up the heart, regulates its functioning and strengthens the organ. A strong feeling of warmth and brightness in the heart area may be experienced on regular practice. It is beneficial for those who are depressed, have heavy feelings and sadness and suffer from heartache. Activation of heart chakra by this mudra will enhance courage. With this the person will be able to face life and its difficulties with ease and also tackle them.

It also stimulates the solar plexus chakra i.e. Manipura Chakra and kindles the fire element i.e. belly fire. This helps increase our digestive fire. It also kindles our ability to grow and transform ourselves as human beings and spiritual beings.
Read – Chakra – Kundalini: Introduction, Meaning, Types, Location, Ayurveda View

Relation with Doshas and Tissues

Seeing the benefits of Ganesha Mudra, it can be inferred that it is extremely good in balancing the functions of pachaka pitta, sadhaka pitta, avalambaka kapha, vyana vata, prana vata and udana vata. The balance of prana-udana axis is essential for the balance of mind and emotions, for the person to be courageous, courteous, decisive and free of negative thoughts. By balancing the avalambak, sadhaka, vyana and udana, the gesture supports the heart functions and enables easy breathing and circulation. By stimulating the sadhaka pitta, it enables the person to achieve all the desires. By kindling the pachaka pitta, the digestion and metabolism needed for nutrition and energy are kept intact and balanced.