Rudra Mudra – Meaning, Method Of Doing, Benefits, Dosha Effect

By Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S

Rudra = Lord Rudra, Hindu Deity
Mudra = gesture / seal / mark / pose

Rudra Mudra is a hasta mudra i.e. hand gesture. It is associated with the solar plexus or Manipura Chakra i.e. 3^rd chakra located at the navel. It is highly powerful, has healing and energizing properties. It activates the energy in the Manipura Chakra, the fire center and the center of one’s digestive activities and vitality.
Read – Chakra – Kundalini: Introduction, Meaning, Types, Location, Ayurveda View

Table of Contents

Introduction

Rudra means terror or fierce. This gesture makes the digestive fire intense and fierce. Lord Rudra is also symbolic of fire, hence the name.

Third chakra is a center of personal power, self worth, will and creativity. Therefore this mudra improves these virtues. It will enhance will power, clear obstacles and improve self esteem.
Read – Mudra – The Science Of Gesture: Benefits, Types, How To Practice

Procedure

Sit in any comfortable position. Prefer Sukhasana, i.e. easy pose, Padmasana i.e. lotus pose or Vajrasana i.e. diamond pose. This gesture can be practiced in Siddhasana or Swastikasana too.
Place your hands on your thighs or knees with both palms facing the ceiling.
Close your eyes and take some deep breaths. Be aware about the process of your breathing.
Now fold your ring and index fingers inwards towards the thumb. Let the tips of both fingers touch the thumb so as to form a triangle. Press the fingers with your thumb. If you are new for performing mudras, you may initially feel pain or discomfort. But that will go away once you practice the gesture regularly. After that you will be able to do it without discomfort.
Keep the other two fingers i.e. middle and little fingers extended as straight as possible.
Focus on your solar plexus. Meditate on this point. Visualize the yellow color which is the color of solar plexus. Chant bija mantra for solar plexus ‘ram’. Listening to the music or sound frequency which stimulates this chakra is also useful.
Read – Muladhara Chakra – The Root Chakra, Features, How To Activate?

Release – After performing this gesture for the stipulated time slowly release the fingers from their mutual contact. Come back to the starting pose. Breathe easily and finish.

Related Video – how to do

How and when the mudra should be performed?

This gesture can be practiced at any time of the day but preferably should be done on empty stomach, early in the morning. It can also be done after taking food but after a gap of 45-60 minutes after food.

It can also be done while walking or standing.

You may chant mantras while performing this mudra. For obtaining best results it need to be practiced for at least 2 months continuously.
Read – Tips To Enhance Effect Of Mudra, 5 Mudra Groups, Rules Of Hasta Mudra

Duration

Rudra mudra should be done for 35 minutes at a stretch per day. Alternatively it may be done for 10-12 minutes at a stretch three times a day.

Relation with elements

The index finger is symbolic of air element. The ring finger is symbolic of earth element. Thumb is symbolic of fire element. Since these three are connected in this mudra, the related elements and their activities are balanced in the body.
Read – Panchamahabhuta: Application, Areas of Utility in Ayurveda treatment

Benefits

Bestows energy to the body, keeps one healthy and fit
Increases the fire element in the body and hence increases the related pitta dosha too
Enhances the appetite and digestion power, provides cure for disorders of digestive system
This gesture balances the manipura chakra and hence balances the solar plexus
Promotes better eating habits
It is a good remedy for overweight and obesity, reduces cholesterol
It cures low blood pressure
Relieves dizziness
Improves circulation and respiration
Relieves exhaustion
Improves eyesight
It creates a profound balance in the body, mind, senses and soul, bestows longevity
Bestows peace of mind and makes it sharp, helps one to develop focus and concentration
Awakens intuition
Promotes empowerment
Good for gaining self control
Helps development and growth of self-worth and self-definition
Stimulates creativity

Impact on Doshas, Tissues

Rudra gesture mainly acts upon the Manipura Chakra i.e. solar plexus located around the navel. By doing so it stimulates the digestive fire and balances digestive functions. It is also a good remedy for digestive disorders. Navel is also the chief site of pitta. Therefore this gesture is useful in stimulating and balancing pitta. Almost all diseases are caused due to low digestive fire i.e. low pitta. In one way this gesture is a remedy for many disorders, especially those caused by pitta imbalance. Navel chakra also imbibes self worth, will and creativity and improves self esteem. This happens due to balance of sadhaka pitta, which is controlled by pachaka pitta located in the gut.

By enhancing pitta, this gesture reduces / depletes increased kapha, mainly kledaka kapha and fat tissue. Increased kapha and fat tissue mainly cause obesity, overweight and high cholesterol. Therefore this gesture is a good remedy for the mentioned disorders.

This gesture balances the samana vayu-pachaka pitta-kledaka kapha axis. This takes care of balance of stomach and intestinal functions, mainly digestion related functions.

Since this gesture improves circulation and respiration and cures low blood pressure, this gesture should have a balancing effect on udana vayu, vyana vayu, sadhaka pitta, avalambaka kapha and prana vayu.

It has a balancing effect on mind and senses, improves focus and concentration, promotes empowerment and self control, the gesture balances prana vata-udana vata-sadhaka pitta-tarpaka kapha axis.

Coming to the effect of the mudra on the tissues, it has a depleting effect on fat tissue. It might have a depleting effect on the other kapha tissues too. It stimulates blood circulation since pitta and blood are coexisting components. Therefore it is a good remedy for low blood pressure.
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