Dasha Mudras in Sri Vidya Sadhana
In the practice of Sri Vidya Sadhana, the significance of the ten mudras is deeply profound. Within the sacred verses of the Lalitā Sahasranāma, the phrase “daśa-mudrā-samārādhyā” captures the essence of worshipping the divine through these ten sacred hand gestures, known as mudras. These gestures are not merely physical postures; they are a rich form of symbolic sign language intricately designed to communicate with the Goddess herself. Each mudra is imbued with powerful bījākṣaras, or seed syllables, which activate various dimensions of the spiritual journey. Through these mudras, practitioners engage with the divine, channelling their inner energies and intentions, thus deepening their spiritual connection and enhancing their transformation.
The Ten Mudras and Their Bījākṣaras
1. Sarva-saṃkṣobhiṇī Mudrā (Bījākṣara: drāṁ)
This mudra invokes the power to agitate and transform. The energy of drāṁ stirs up the world of perception, awakening the mind to higher realities.
2. Sarva-vidrāviṇī Mudrā (Bījākṣara: drīṁ)
Drīṁ represents dispersion, the ability to dissolve illusions and attachments, clearing the path to higher spiritual knowledge.
3. Sarvā-karṣiṇī Mudrā (Bījākṣara: klīṁ)
Klīṁ is the mantra of attraction. This mudra draws desired energies or blessings, pulling them towards the practitioner.
4. Sarva-vaśaṃkarī Mudrā (Bījākṣara: blūṁ)
Blūṁ represents control. This mudra exerts influence over the surrounding world, helping to align external circumstances with divine will.
5. Sarvon-mādinī Mudrā (Bījākṣara: saḥ)
Saḥ symbolises the maddening joy and divine intoxication. It represents the state where the practitioner becomes one with the cosmic dance, transcending ordinary consciousness.
6. Sarva-mahānkuśa Mudrā (Bījākṣara: kroṁ)
Kroṁ is the power of the ankuśa, the elephant goad, symbolising the ability to push away negative influences and control anger. It represents the cutting of ties with the six enemies of the mind: lust, anger, greed, delusion, pride, and jealousy.
7. Sarva-khecarī Mudrā (Bījākṣara: hskhphreṁ)
This mudra allows the practitioner to fly through space, symbolically freeing themselves from earthly bondage. Khecarī means “skywalker,” and the bījākṣara signifies transcendence through the fire of knowledge.
8. Sarva-bīja Mudrā (Bījākṣara: hsauṁ)
Hsauṁ invokes the union of Śiva and Śakti, where Ha represents Śiva, Sa represents Śakti, and Auṁ denotes their cosmic union. This mudra taps into the very essence of creation.
9. Sarva-yonī Mudrā (Bījākṣara: aiṁ)
Aiṁ represents creation and causality. It signifies the divine womb, the source of all creation. Through this mudra, the practitioner connects with the body’s seven energy centres (chakras).
10. Sarva-trikhaṇḍe Mudrā (Bījākṣaras: hsraiṁ, hsrklīṁ, hsrsauḥ)
This mudra is the culmination of the entire process. It invokes the powers of knowledge (Icchā), wisdom (Jñāna), and action (Kriyā), embodied by the goddesses Sarasvatī, Lakṣmī, and Kālī, respectively. This is when the Goddess bestows her consent, allowing you to engage in communion with Her.
The Symbolism of the Mudrās
These mudras are not merely symbolic but esoteric gestures embodying divine forces. When a Sādhaka performs these gestures, they enact a sacred dialogue with the Goddess. Each mudra taps into specific energies:
- The first five bījākṣaras (drāṁ, drīṁ, klīṁ, blūṁ, saḥ) correspond to the five arrows of Manmatha, the god of love, symbolising sensory pleasures.
- These bījās also represent the five senses: sound (śabda), touch (sparśa), sight (rūpa), taste (rasa), and smell (gandha), reflecting the individual’s interaction with the world.
Deep Meanings of Key Mudras
1. Kroṁ (Sarva-mahānkuśa Mudrā):
Kroṁ is the embodiment of anger and control. Just as the ankuśa (elephant goad, bullhook) guides an elephant, this mudra also guides the sadhaka away from negative forces and towards spiritual focus. It signifies mastery over internal enemies like lust, greed, and attachment.
2. Hskhphreṁ (Sarva khecarī Mudrā):
Hskhphreṁ indicates flight beyond earthly limitations. The syllable kha means “space,” while Ha and Sasymbolize Śiva and Śakti. Through the fire of phreṁ, the sādhaka transcends all limitations, experiencing unity with the cosmic void.
3. Hsauṁ (Sarva bīja Mudrā):
The mudra Hsauṁ represents the eternal union of Shiva and Shakti, symbolising the balance between creation and existence. This sacred union gives rise to everything: the manifested world and the unmanifested realm, with pure consciousness intertwined with the dynamic energy flowing through the universe. By performing this mudra, one invokes the blessings of the Goddess, inviting her divine wisdom and knowledge to flow into the sadhaka. It acts as a bridge, connecting the practitioner to profound insights and the timeless truths of existence.
Esoteric Nature of the Mudras
The Dasha mudras are deeply personal and should not be displayed publicly. They are sacred gestures exchanged between the sadhaka and the Goddess as a divine conversation. When performing these mudras, the sādhaka is asking for permission to interact with the Goddess, and only when she grants permission through the final Sarva-trikhaṇḍe Mudrā can the full communion take place.
The Final Mudrā: Sarva-trikhaṇḍe
The Goddess’s final response, expressed through hsraiṁ, hsrklīṁ, hsrsauḥ, permits the sādhaka to connect with her through the Icchā (will), Jñāna (wisdom), and Kriyā (action) energies. These energies manifest in the forms of:
- Sarasvatī (Icchā) – represents pure knowledge.
- Lakṣmī (Jñāna) – represents wisdom and discernment.
- Kālī (Kriyā) – represents the power of action and transformation.
Through the practice of these sacred mudrās, the sadhaka steps into a mystical dialogue with the Divine Mother. Each gesture is a gateway to transcendence, where the material world intertwines with the divine. The mudras are more than physical gestures; they are potent vibrations harmonising the practitioner’s inner self with the universal rhythm. By aligning body, mind, and spirit with the Goddess, the sadhaka invites a deep, transformative connection, where boundaries between the self and the divine dissolve, revealing the infinite wisdom and grace in the heart of existence. The journey is one of surrender, where each mudra unlocks a new layer of understanding, gently guiding the soul toward liberation and oneness with the Goddess.