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Vishnu Mudra
The seal of alternate-nostril breathing. Index and middle fold away; the thumb and the last two fingers govern the two nostrils.
- Meaning
- Seal of Vishnu, the Preserver
- Tradition
- Pranayama; B.K.S. Iyengar, Light on Pranayama, and general yoga usage
- Hands
- Right hand at the nose; left hand on the knee
- Placement
- Right hand before the face, wrist centred under the nose.
- Associations
- Ida and pingala; the nostrils.
- Level
- Intermediary
Formation
- Fold the index and middle fingers of the right hand into the palm, their tips toward the mound of the thumb.
- Keep the thumb extended: it closes the right nostril.
- Keep the ring and little fingers extended together: they close the left nostril.
- Rest the left hand on the left knee.
Example Meditation
Hold the right hand before the face in the seal and rest the left hand on the knee. Practise the Sun/Moon Breath, closing the right nostril with the thumb and the left with the ring and little fingers in turn. The seal regulates the breath and balances the two halves of the mind.
Effects
PhysicalΣῶμα
- Breath regulation. It gives exact control of each nostril for nadi shodhana and related breathing practices.
EmotionalΘυμός
- Tranquillity. Sources describe steadiness, strength and tranquillity and a reduction of anxiety.
IntellectualΝοῦς
- Balance of the hemispheres. Alternating the nostrils alternates the breath between the two channels and settles the mind.
SoulΨυχή
- The two channels. The breath is led in turn through ida and pingala, the lunar and solar currents.
AscentἈνάβασις
- Preservation. Vishnu preserves the order of the world. The regulated breath preserves the inner order on which ascent depends.
Finger Key
| Finger | Element | Right hand |
|---|---|---|
| Thumb | Fire | extended |
| Index | Air | folded into the palm, toward the ball of the thumb |
| Middle | Aether | folded into the palm |
| Ring | Earth | extended, together with the little finger |
| Little | Water | extended, together with the ring finger |
Cautions and Variants
Variants. Satyananda's Nasikagra Mudra (No. 50) is a different form for the same practice, with the index and middle fingers extended to the eyebrow centre.
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.