Bandhas and Mudras (YOGA)

 Bandhas and Mudras described in Hatha yoga pradipika

Describing the Bandhas and Mudras in Hatha Yoga Pradipika, it is written-

Mahamudra, Mahabandha, Mahavedha, Khechari, Uddiyanabandha, Mulabandha, Jalandharbandha, Viparitakarani, Vajroli and Shaktichalani are the ten mudras. The one who destroys Jara (old age) and death. Their description is as follows.

1. Mahamudra-

Keeping the heel of the left foot firmly on the seam between the anus and the abdomen, keep the right leg stretched. Firmly hold the toes of the right foot with both hands. After that, after completing the purak, by applying Jalandhar Bandha properly, with the help of Mool Bandha, hold the air in the upward direction. 

After Kumbhak, the air should be exhaled slowly, not with speed. This is called Mahamudra by the deities. Describing the sequence of Mahamudra, it has been said – after practicing it from the side of the moon i.e. the left side, it should also be practiced from the sun side i.e. the right side. Mahamudra should be immersed only after performing Kumbhak in equal number from both the sides.

Benefits of Mahamudra- 

Describing the benefits of Mahamudra, it is said in Hathayogapradipika-

All dry, bitter, acidic, pungent substances, edible and non-edible, with and without juice, are easily digested. A seeker who practices Mahamudra easily digests food that is "like poison". The man who practices Mahamudra does not suffer from diseases like tuberculosis, leprosy, mumps, dropsy, indigestion, anal fissure, fever etc. All the defects of his body are destroyed. '

2. Mahabandha Mudra- 

Describing the Mahabandha Mudra, it has been said that-  Place the heel of the left foot in the vaginal area i.e. between the anus and the abdomen and sit by placing the right foot on the left thigh. After that, inhale through both the nostrils and press the chin firmly into the larynx, by applying Jalandhara bandha, then by compressing the anus region, apply Mool bandha and after doing kumbhaka as much as possible, while concentrating the mind in Sushumna, exhale slowly. Repeat the same activity by changing the position of the feet, i.e. do it equally with the left and right feet.

Benefits of Mahabandha Mudra- 

Describing the benefits of Mahabandha Mudra, it has been said in Hathayogapradipika that- This Mahabandha mudra is definitely going to give great achievements. This is the mudra to free the seeker from the noose of death. This Mahabandha mudra which is the meeting of Ida, Pingala and Sushumna and the Kedar form between the two eyebrows, which is the place of Shiva, is going to achieve that.

3. Mahavedha Mudra- 

While describing Mahavedha Mudra in Hatha Yoga Pradipika, it is said thats- Inhale with both the nostrils by being situated in the Mahabandha posture. Then do Abhyantar Kumbhak. Keep Jalandhara Bandha firmly attached to Kumbhaka. Keeping the palms of both the hands on the ground, during the time of Kumbhak, lift the buttocks up and slap them on the ground. It has been said that by the practice of this Mahavedha, Prana starts getting structured in the Sushamna path by discarding Ida and Pingala. Ida, Pingala and Sushumna are the moon, sun and fire deities. The relation of these three nadis is for the purpose of salvation. When all the three nadis unite, a state similar to death is attained. After coming to such a stage in Kumbhak,  exhale  the air. This is the Mahavedha Mudra.

Benefits of Mahavedha- 

Describing the benefits of Mahavedha mudra, it is said in Hathayoga Pradipika thats - Anima etc. achievements are achieved by the practice of Mahavedha Mudra. There is no contraction of the skin in the body of its abhyasi in old age. Hair doesn't turn white. This mudra also removes the vibrations of the body. That's why great seekers practice this mudra.

4. Khechari Mudra- 

While describing Khechari Mudra, it has been said in Hatha Yoga Pradipika that- Action by chhedan and chaalan, lengthen the tongue so much that it comes out and starts touching the middle of the eyebrows. Then Khechri Mudra should be considered proven. In this piercing process, only the root of the tongue should be pierced with a sharp and pure weapon like a sehdu leaf. After piercing, massage the root of the tongue thoroughly with rock salt and myrobalan powder. Do this activity every morning and evening. Chhedan should be done once a week. By chhedan in this way and then by friction action till the seventh day and piercing again, continuously for six months, the bond of the tongue is cut. Then after the growth of the tongue, turning it over and putting it in the cranial cavity, drinking the Anand Sudha that is secreted from the Brahmarandhra is the Khechari Mudra.

Benefits of Khechari Mudra- 

Describing the benefits of Khechari Mudra, it has been said thats- Disease, death, sleep, hunger, thirst and unconsciousness etc. do not trouble the one who perfects the Khechari Mudra. Its seeker neither indulges in karma, nor is obstructed by the cycle of time. The bindu of its seeker does not ejaculate on embracing a beautiful woman. Even if a snake bites its seeker, the poison does not affect him. Yogis have called this mudra the best.

5. Uddiyana Bandha-

Describing Uddiyana Bandha, it has been said in Hathayogapradipika that-

Niruddha prana inside sushumna is raised by it, so yogis call it as uddiyana bandha. Just as the great bird in the form of an human keeps on flying continuously. Similarly, the condition of life is in this posture, hence it is called Uddiyana. 

Describing the method of this Bandha (Mudra), it has been said- Draw the abdomen up, down and back over the navel. This Uddiyana Bandha is like a lion trying to escape from the elephant of death.

Benefits of Uddiyan Bandh- 

Describing the benefits of Uddiyan Bandh, it has been said thats- The old man who always practices Uddiyan Bandha naturally, according to the path shown by the Guru, also becomes like a young man. By this the seeker conquers death. This Bandh has been described as the best among all the Bandhs and it is said that by its practice the seeker can easily attain liberation.

6. Moolabandha - 

Describing Moolabandha, it has been said in Hatha Yoga Pradipika that- The anus should be contracted by pressing the seevnee with the heel. Then the very name of keeping the Apana Vayu upwards is Moolabandha.

Benefits of Moolabandha- 

Describing the benefits of Moolabandha, it has been said in Hatha Yoga Pradipika thats- Continuous practice of Moolabandha leads to the unity of Apana and Prana. There is deficiency of stool and urine and even the old man becomes young. It is further said that by its practice the fire is ignited. When the fire ignites in the body, its heat awakens the sleeping Kundalini Shakti and enters the Brahmanadi. That's why sadhaks should practice.

7. Jalandhar Bandha - 

Describing the Jalandhar Bandha Mudra, it has been said in Hatha Yoga Pradipika that - Jalandhar Bandha is the name of applying the chin firmly to the heart by narrowing the throat. This Jalandhar Bandha is going to remove old age and death.

 Benefits of Jalandhar Bandha- 

Describing the benefits of Jalandhar Bandha, it has been said that- This Jalandhar Bandha is going to destroy throat defects. It binds the Nadi groups. That's why the Soma secretion, which is secreted from Brahmarandhra, does not get consumed by falling in the navel. Along with this, this Bandh is the bandh that removes the wrath of wind.

8. Viparitakarani Mudra- 

While describing Viparitakarani Mudra, it has been said in Hatha Yoga Pradipika that- By keeping the navel up and the palate down, the solar system goes up and the Somandal goes down. Brahmarandhra has been called Som Mandal here and Surya Mandal has been called Nabhi. This is called Viparitakarani Mudra. It should be done after learning from the Guru. It is further said- On the first day, one should keep the head down and the feet up for a moment. After that, practice should be made to increase it a little more every day.

Benefits of Viparitakarani Mudra- 

Describing the benefits of Viparitakarani Mudra, it has been said in Hatha Yoga Pradipika that-The one who practices it everyday, the fire of his stomach becomes enlightened. Its practitioner should eat enough food. If he eats less, the fire starts burning his body. Wrinkles and white hair do not appear after six months of its practice. One who practices it daily conquers death.

9. Vajroli Mudra- 

Vajroli Mudra has been given great importance in Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Even if a seeker practices Vajroli alone without following the rules of Yoga Shastras, he attains Siddhis. The practice of the method of this mudra is explained as follows-

The practice of contraction of the vagina should be done slowly and thoroughly. By doing this, both men and women get the fruit of Vajroli. Describing the pre-preparation of this mudra, it has been said that air should be attracted from the urethra by slowly inserting a smooth tube of 14 finger length into the penis hole. On the first day only 1 finger of the tube should enter the opening of the penis. In this way, gradually increasing that tube up to 12 fingers should be inserted into the penis hole. This is a very confidential activity, it should always be learned under the guidance of a Guru.

Benefits of Vajroli Mudra- 

Describing the benefits of Vajroli Mudra, it is said thats The seeker of yoga who protects Bindu through Vajroli Mudra conquers premature death because destruction of Bindu is death and protection of Bindu is life. It has been said that by wearing Bindu, fragrance is produced in the body of the seeker. As long as there is a point in the body, there is no fear of time, that is, such a seeker does not die prematurely. The practice of this mudra has been said to achieve the achievement of sky travel etc. It has also been said that the practice of Vajroli gives one the perfection of the body. This merit-giving yogic practice is the practice of liberation while enjoying enjoyment.

10. Shakti Chalini Mudra - 

It has been said in Hatha Yoga Pradipika that Kundalini sleeps by covering the face of the path through which one can reach the Brahmapad without suffering. This Kundalini sleeping in Muladhar is the one who gives salvation to the yogis but for the foolish people it is the reason of bondage. Kundalini has been described as having a zigzag shape like a snake. Its presence in the body is believed to be between Ida and Pingala. Describing the method of power conduction, it has been said that-

That sleeping snake should be woken up by holding its tail. Due to this, that power wakes up suddenly after leaving sleep. That Kundalini located in Muladhar should be filled with Surya Nadi in the morning and evening till half past one hour, holding it tactfully and running it daily. 12 fingers above the original place in the body, the place of tuber in the middle of the navel has been told from where 72000 pulses have originated. Shakti has been asked to move while troubling this place.

Sitting in Vajrasana, firmly hold the ankles of both the feet with both the hands and press the Kandasthan with them. After that practice Bhastrika Kumbhak. Kundalini gets awakened quickly by this. Move the horoscope by contracting the solar pulse located in the navel region. Due to this, how can the seeker who has gone in the face of death have any fear of death, that is, he does not have any fear of death. By running fearlessly in this way for two moments, the energy enters the Sushumna and starts moving upwards.

Benefits of Shakti Chalini Mudra- 

Describing the benefits of Shakti Chalani Mudra, it has been said in Hatha Yoga Pradipika that- The seeker who has guided the Kundalini. Only this Yogi attains Siddhi. What more to say in this regard, that seeker easily conquers death. Those who always observe celibacy and diet, the practitioner of Kundli Chaalan, the symptoms of attaining Siddhi begin to appear within 40 days. This currency is the provider of salvation. So it should be practiced.

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