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important instrument for Self-realisation. The instrument must be kept clean, strong and healthy.
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MUDRAS AND BANDHAS
MUDRAS AND BANDHAS
EXERCISES
Mudras and Bandhas are certain postures of the body by which Kundalini is successfully
awakened. In Gheranda Samhita, the description of 25 Mudras and Bandhas, is given. The
following 12 are the most important:
1. Mula Bandha 7. Yoga Mudra
2. Jalandhara Bandha 8. Viparitakarani Mudra
3. Uddiyana Bandha 9. Khechari Mudra
4. Maha Mudra 10. Vajroli Mudra
5. Maha Bandha 11. Shakti Chalana Mudra
6. Maha Vedha 12. Yoni Mudra
Many of the above exercises have intimate connection with each other. In one exercise you
will have to combine 2 or 3 Bandhas and Mudras. This you will see when you see the description.
Many aspirants are not able to find out the exact technique of several Mudras that are described in
Hatha Yogic texts, and therefore they could not realise the benefits.
Yogic exercises when practised regularly in the right way, will surely bestow on you all that
you want.
Nasti mudrasamam kinchit
Siddhidam kshitimandale
There is nothing in this world like Mudras for giving success.
Dyspepsia, constipation, piles, cough, asthma, enlargement of spleen, venereal diseases,
leprosy and all sorts of incurable diseases are cured by Mudras and Bandhas. They are the most
effective exercises for maintaining Brahmacharya, without which nothing can be made in the
spiritual path.
1. MULA BANDHA
Press the Yoni with the left heel. Keep the right heel pressed at the space just above the
organ of generation. Contract the anus and draw the Apana Vayu upwards. This is called Mula
Bandha. The Apana Vayu which does the function of ejection of excreta has natural tendency to
move downwards. Through the practice of Mula Bandha, the Apana Vayu is made to move
upwards by contracting the anus and by forcibly drawing it upwards. The Prana Vayu is united with
the Apana and the united Prana-Apana Vayu is made to enter the Sushumna Nadi. Then the Yogi
attains perfection in Yoga. Kundalini is awakened. The Yogi drinks the Nectar of Immortality. He
enjoys Siva-pada in Sahasrara Chakra. He gets all divine Vibhutis and Aishvarya. When the Apana
is united with Prana, Anahata sounds (mystical inner sounds) are heard very distinctly. Prana,
Apana, Nada and Bindu unite and the Yogi reaches perfection in Yoga. This highest stage cannot be
reached by the first attempt. One should practise this again and again for a long time.
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KUNDALINI YOGA
The Siddhi in the practice of Pranayama is attained through the help of Bandhas and
Mudras. The practice of Mula Bandha enables one to keep up perfect Brahmacharya, gives
Dhatu-Pushti (nerve-vigour), relieves constipation and increases Jatharagni. During the practice of
concentration, meditation, Pranayama and all other Yogic Kriyas, Mula Bandha can be combined.
2. JALANDHARA BANDHA
Contract the throat. Press the chin firmly against the chest. This Bandha is practised at the
end of Puraka and beginning of Kumbhaka. Generally this Bandha is done during Kumbhaka only.
The gastric fire, which is situated in the region of Nabhi, consumes the nectar which exudes out of
the Sahasrara Chakra through the hole in the palate. This Bandha prevents the nectar being thus
consumed.
3. UDDIYANA BANDHA
The Sanskrit word Uddiyana comes from the root ut and di which means to fly up.
When this Bandha is practised the Prana flies up through the Sushumna Nadi. Hence the significant
name.
Empty the lungs by a strong and forcible expiration. The lungs will become completely
empty when you exhale forcibly through the mouth. Now contract and draw up the intestines above
and below the navel towards the back, so that the abdomen rests against the back of the body high
up in the thoracic cavity. This is Uddiyana Bandha. This is practised at the end of Kumbhaka and
beginning of the Rechaka. When you practise this Bandha, the diaphragm, the muscular portion
between the thoracic cavity and abdomen, is raised up and the abdominal muscles are drawn
backwards. If you bend your trunk forwards, you can easily do this exercise. Uddiyana Bandha is
the first stage of Nauli Kriya. You should know Uddiyana Bandha if you want to practise Nauli
Kriya. Nauli Kriya is generally done in a standing position. Uddiyana Bandha can be practised in a
sitting or standing posture. When you do it while standing, keep your hands on the thigh as shown in
the illustration.
This exercise helps a lot in keeping up Brahmacharya. It imparts beautiful health, strength,
vigour and vitality to the practitioner. When it is combined with Nauli Kriya, it serves as a powerful
gastro-intestinal tonic. These are the two potent weapons of the Yogin to combat against
constipation, weak peristalsis of the intestines and other disorders of the alimentary canal. It is by
these two Yogic Kriyas alone, that you can manipulate and massage all the abdominal muscles. For
abdominal exercises nothing can compete with Uddiyana Bandha and Nauli. They stand unique and
unrivalled amongst all systems of physical exercises. In chronic diseases of stomach and intestines,
where drugs of all sorts have failed, Uddiyana and Nauli have effected a rapid, thorough and
marvellous cure.
When you practise Pranayama, you can beautifully combine Mula Bandha, Jalandhara
Bandha and Uddiyana Bandha. This is Bandha-Traya.
Uddiyana Bandha reduces fat in the belly. In cases where Marienbud reduction pills have
failed to reduce fat, Uddiyana Bandha will work wonders. If fatty persons stop taking ghee and
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MUDRAS AND BANDHAS
reduce the quantity of drinking water, they will be able to do Uddiyana. A trip to
Kedar-Badri or Mount Kailas by foot will prepare fatty people for the practice of Uddiyana Bandha.
UDDIYANA BANDHA
4. MAHA MUDRA
This is the most important of all Mudras. Hence it is called Maha Mudra. Press the anus
carefully with the left heel. Stretch out the right leg. Catch hold of the toe with the two hands. Inhale
and retain the breath. Press the chin against the chest firmly (Jalandhara Bandha). Fix the gaze
between the eyebrows (Bhrumadhya Drishti). Retain the posture as long as you can and then exhale
slowly. Practise first on the left leg and then on the right leg.
This cures consumption, haemorrhoids or piles, enlargement of spleen, indigestion, Gulma
(chronic gastritis), leprosy, constipation, fever and all other diseases. Life is increased. It confers
great Siddhis on the practitioners. Generally the Yogi does Maha Mudra, Maha Bandha and Maha
Vedha. This is a good combination. Then only maximum benefits are derived. Do like this six times
in the morning and evening.
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KUNDALINI YOGA
5. MAHA BANDHA
Maha Mudra is the preliminary exercise for this. Press the anus with the left heel. Place the
right foot upon the left thigh. Contract the anus and muscles of the perineum. Draw the Apana Vayu
upwards. Draw the breath slowly and retain it by Jalandhara Bandha as long as you can. Then
exhale slowly. Practise first on the left side and then on the right side. The Bandha destroys decay
and death. The Yogi achieves all his desires and obtains Siddhis.
6. MAHA VEDHA
Sit in Maha Bandha posture. Draw the breath slowly. Retain the breath. Press the chin
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