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Order III · Seals of the Divine Powers
Karana Mudra
करण मुद्रा · karaṇa mudrā · Σφραγὶς τῆς Ἀποτροπῆς
33
The horned hand that expels. Index and little finger stand erect; the thumb holds the middle fingers down.
- Meaning
- Seal of Banishing
- Tradition
- Indian and Tibetan Buddhist iconography; gesture of wrathful deities
- Hands
- One hand
- Placement
- In front of the body, palm forward.
- Associations
- Not stated.
- Level
- Intermediary
Formation
- Extend the index finger and the little finger.
- Fold the middle and ring fingers into the palm.
- Press the thumb down on the folded middle and ring fingers.
- Turn the palm forward, the hand held upright or horizontal.
Example Meditation
Hold the hand before the body, palm forward, in the seal. Breathe out strongly and send away whatever obstructs the meditation. The seal drives off negativity and sets a firm boundary for the practice.
Effects
PhysicalΣῶμα
- Clearing. Traditionally held to remove obstacles such as sickness.
EmotionalΘυμός
- Release of negativity. Used to remove negative thoughts and negative energy.
IntellectualΝοῦς
- Firm boundary. A gesture that marks what is not admitted.
SoulΨυχή
- Protection. An apotropaic gesture to ward off evil; wrathful deities display it with fingers erect like horns.
AscentἈνάβασις
- Ἀποτροπή. The Greeks had their apotropaic signs against harm. The way upward is kept clear of what would drag the soul down.
Finger Key
| Finger | Element | Right hand |
|---|---|---|
| Thumb | Fire | joins the middle finger; joins the ring finger |
| Index | Air | extended |
| Middle | Aether | joins the thumb |
| Ring | Earth | joins the thumb |
| Little | Water | extended |
Cautions and Variants
Variants. B. Bhattacharyya: index and little fingers erect, thumb pressing the two remaining fingers. One modern source omits the thumb pressure; it is not followed here.
Recommended for Every Zevist Library
Gertrud Hirschi, Mudras: Yoga in Your Hands
The standard practical manual of the hand seals, with their indications and meditations. The Temple of Zeus recommends it as a purchase for every Zevist library, personal or communal.