Bhairava Mudra – Meaning, Method Of Doing, Benefits

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

Bhairava actually means fearsome. Lord Shiva in fearsome form is called Bhairava. This also depicts the immense strength and power of the lord. Bhairava Mudra is supposed to instill similar strength and power in the practitioner that the diseases get feared and repelled. Its fierce nature is also said to be a destroyer of one’s egoism. It is a commonly practiced gesture for meditation and pranayama.

Introduction

Bhairava = Lord Shiva, Hindu deity
Mudra = gesture / mark / seal / pose
Other name – Shiva Mudra
Read – Mudra – The Science Of Gesture: Benefits, Types, How To Practice

Procedure

• Sit in a comfortable position. You can take Yoga asana poses like Sukhasana i.e. comfortable pose, Padmasana i.e. lotus poses or Vajrasana i.e. diamond pose. It forms a best combination with Siddhasana i.e. accomplished pose. Use a mat and don’t sit directly on the floor. You can alternatively sit on a chair or cot while performing the gesture.
• Keep your posture straight. Let the spine be straight.
• Relax and relieve yourself from any anxieties or stress factors prevailing in your surroundings.
• Breathe free and focus on your breathing.
• You can do the gesture with open eyes but closing the eyes will help in concentrating on the gesture and bestows better benefits.
• Place your hands with palms facing upwards on the respective thighs.
• Now slowly bring both hands towards the center of your body, to the lower part of your belly / abdomen, as if placing them on your lap.  
• Place your right hand on the cup of your left hand. Now, the tips of the fingers of both hands face opposite directions. Meditate in this posture for 15-45 minutes as per your convenience. This is called Bhairava Mudra.
• When you do this gesture by keeping the left hand over the right hand, it is called Bhairavi Mudra. Keep altering the Bhairava and Bhairavi gestures. This interchanges the male and female energies related to both these gestures and keeps them in balance. This gesture is believed to activate consciousness and manifestation.
  Read – Tips To Enhance Effect Of Mudra, 5 Mudra Groups, Rules Of Hasta Mudra

Release –

• After the stipulated time of practice, slowly open your eyes.
• Separate your hands and bring them back on your thighs or knees.
• Relax and breathe freely.

Note: The two hands are said to represent our masculine and feminine energy channels namely ida and pingala nadis. Their union during mudra practice reflects the union of the individual with supreme consciousness.

Related Video – remove fear and anxiety

Time and duration

• Bhairava Mudra bestows good benefits when practiced early in the morning. But it can be practiced at any time of the day.
• One can practice this gesture for 35-45 minutes at a stretch. Alternatively he can practice it for 15 minutes, for three times in a day.
• It is ideal to practice on empty stomach. If you are planning to practice the gesture after food, do it at least 1 hour after food.

Benefits

• Brings balance between the right and left hemispheres of the brain
• It is known to minimize the opposing forces occurring in the body and mind to a very great extent
• It instills stability in you and enables balance yourself
• Remedy for those suffering from anxiety, stress and mood swings
• When in combination with Siddhasana, it sublimates sexual energy, awakens it in a new state of awakening Kundalini energy. Siddhasana directs the prana energy to the sushumna i.e. spinal column and is also an ideal asana which helps in brahmacharya i.e. celibacy. These two form ideal combination and bestow immense benefits.
• Bhairavi Mudra is said to cause a condition of urdhwareta i.e. upward movement of semen. In these people the ejaculation doesn’t take place for long duration. This can be used as a remedy for premature ejaculation. Yogis use this mudra because they should not indulge in sex while in spiritual practices.
• It helps one to become calmer and more trusting. You can feel your inner silence & stillness and realize that you are whole.
• Calms breath, increases relaxation
• Activates and nourishes all five elements, chakras, pranas, doshas and systems of the body
• Enhances unity and wisdom within oneself
• Instills deep peace and inner silence

Impact on doshas

This gesture balances all the doshas and establishes peace and calmness in us. By seeing the benefits of this gesture it can be inferred that it has a balancing effect mainly on the Prana Vata and Apana Vata. These two vayus are the main forces of energy and activity at two ends in the body. Apart from this it keeps the prana-apana axis in a state of equilibrium.
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