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ChapterIIIOnMudras
1.Asthechiefofthesnakesisthesupportoftheearthwithallthemountainsandforestsonit,soallthe
Tantras(Yogapractices)restontheKundalini.(TheVertebralcolumn.)
2.WhenthesleepingKundaliniawakensbyfavorofaguru,thenallthelotuses(inthesixchakrasor
centers)andalltheknotsarepiercedthrough.
3.Susumna(SunyaPadavi)becomesamainroadforthepassageofPrana,andthemindthenbecomesfree
fromallconnections(withitsobjectsofenjoyments)andDeathisthenevaded.
4.Susumna,Sunya,Padavi,BrahmaRandhra,MahaPatha,Smasana,Sambhavi,MadhyaMarga,arenamesof
oneandthesamething.
5.Inorder,therefore,toawakenthisgoddess,whoissleepingattheentranceofBrahmaDwara(thegreat
door),mudrasshouldbepracticedwell.

TheMudras
6.MahaMudra,MahaBandha,MahaVedha,Khechari,UddiyanaBandha,MulaBandha,JalandharaBandha.
7.ViparitaKarani,Vijroli,andSaktiChalana.ThesearethetenMudraswhichannihilateoldageanddeath.
8.TheyhavebeenexplainedbyAdiNatha(Siva)andgiveeightkindsofdivinewealth.Theyarelovedbyall
theSiddhasandarehardtoattainevenbytheMarutas.
Note.TheeightAiswarikisare:Anima(becomingsmall,likeanatom),Mahima(becominggreat,likeakas,
bydrawinginatomsofprakriti),Garima(lightthings,likecottonbecomingveryheavylikemountains).
Prapti(comingwithineasyreachofeverythingastouchingthemoonwiththelittlefinger,whilestandingon
theearth).
Prakamya(nonresistancetothedesires,asenteringtheearthlikewater).
Isata(masteryovermatterandobjectsmadeofit).
Vasitwa(controllingtheanimateandinanimateobjects).
9.TheseMudrasshouldbekeptsecretbyeverymeans,asonekeepsone'sboxofjewelry,andshould,onno
accountbetoldtoanyone,justashusbandandwifekeeptheirdealingssecret.

TheMahaMudra
10.PressingtheYoni(perineum)withtheheeloftheleftfoot,andstretchingforththerightfoot,itstoes
shouldbegraspedbythethumbandfirstfinger.
1112.Bystoppingthethroat(byJalandharaBandha)theairisdrawninfromoutsideandcarrieddown.
Justasasnakestruckwithastickbecomesstraightlikeastick,inthesameway,sakti(susumna)becomes
straightatonce.ThentheKundalinibecomingasitweredead,and,leavingboththeIdaandthePingala,
entersthesusumna(themiddlepassage).
13.Itshouldbeexpelledthen,slowlyonlyandnotviolently.Forthisveryreason,thebestofwisemencallit
theMahaMudra.ThisMuhaMudrahasbeenpropoundedbygreatmasters.
14.Greatevilsandpains,likedeath,aredestroyedbyit,andforthisreasonwisemencallittheMaha
Mudra.
15.Havingpracticedwiththeleftnostril,itshouldbepracticedwiththerightoneand,whenthenumberon
bothsidesbecomesequal,thenthemudrashouldbediscontinued.
16.Thereisnothingwholesomeorinjuriousforthepracticeofthismudradestroystheinjuriouseffectsof
alltherasas(chemicals).Eventhedeadliestofpoisons,iftaken,actslikenectar.
17.Consumption,leprosy,prolapsusanii,colic,andthediseasesduetoindigestion,alltheseirregularities
areremovedbythepracticeofthisMahaMudra.
18.ThisMahaMudrahasbeendescribedasthegiverofgreatsuccess(Siddhi)tomen.Itshouldbekept
secretbyeveryeffort,andnotrevealedtoanyandeveryone.

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TheMahaBandha
19.Pressingtheleftheeltotheperineumandplacetherightfootontheleftthigh.
20.Fillintheair,keepingthechinfirmagainstthechest,and,havingpressedtheair,andthemindshould
befixedonthemiddleoftheeyebrowsorinthesusumna(thespine).
21.Havingkeptitconfinedsolongaspossible,itshouldbeexpelledslowly.Havingpracticedontheleft
side,itshouldbepracticedontherightside.
22.Someareofopinionthattheclosingofthroatisnotnecessaryhere,forkeepingthetonguepressed
againsttherootsoftheupperteethmakesagoodbandha(stop).
23.Thisstopstheupwardmotionofallthenadis.VerilythisMuhaBandhaisthegiverofgreatSiddhis.
24.ThisMahaBandhaisthemostskillfulmeansforcuttingawaythesnaresofdeath.Itbringsaboutthe
conjunctionoftheTriveni(Ida,PingalaandSusumna)andcarriesthemindtoKedar(thespacebetweenthe
eyebrows,whichistheseatofSiva).
25.Asbeautyandloveliness,donotavailawomanwithoutahusband,sotheMahaMudraandtheMaha
BandhaareuselesswithouttheMahaVedha.

TheMahaVedha
26.SittingwithMahaBandha,theYogishouldfilltheairandkeephismindcollected.Themovementsofthe
Vayus(PranaandApana)shouldbestoppedbyclosingthethroat.
27.Restingboththehandsequallyontheground,heshouldraisehimselfalittleandstrikehisbuttocks
againstthegroundgently.Theair,leavingboththepassages(IdaandPingala),startsintothemiddleone.
28.TheunionoftheIdaandPingalaiseffected,inordertobringaboutimmortality.Whentheairbecomes
asitweredead(byleavingitscoursethroughtheIdaandthePingala)(i.e.,whenithasbeenkept
confined),thenitshouldbeexpelled.
29.ThepracticeofthisMahaVedha,giverofgreatSiddhis,destroysoldage,greyhair,andshakingofthe
body,andthereforeitispracticedbythebestmasters.
30.Thesethreearethegreatsecrets.Theyarethedestroyersofoldageanddeath,increasetheappetite,
confertheaccomplishmentsofAnima,etc.
31.Theyshouldbepracticedin8ways,dailyandhourly.Theyincreasecollectionofgoodactionsandlesson
theevilones.People,instructedwell,shouldbegintheirpractice,littlebylittle,first.

KechariMudra
32.TheKechariMudraisaccomplishedbythrustingthetongueintothegullet,byturningitoveritself,and
keepingtheeyesightinthemiddle
33.Toaccomplishthis,thetongueislengthenedbycuttingthefraenumlinguae,moving,andpullingit.
Whenitcantouchthespacebetweentheeyebrows,thentheKecharicanbeaccomplished.
34.Takingasharp,smoothandcleaninstrument,oftheshapeofacactusleaf,thefrenulumofthetongue
shouldbecutalittle(asmuchasahairsthickness),atatime.
35.Thenrocksaltandyellowmyrobalan(bothpowdered)shouldberubbedin.Onthe7thday,itshould
againbecutahair'sbreadth.
36.Oneshouldgoondoingthus,regularlyforsixmonths.Attheendofsixmonths,thefreanumofthe
tonguewillbecompletelycut.
37.Turningthetongueupwards,itisfixedonthreeways(esophagus,windpipeandpalate).Thusitmakes
theKhachariMudra,andiscalledtheVyomaChakra.
38.TheYogiwhositsforaminuteturninghistongueupwards,issavedfrompoisons,diseases,death,old
age,etc.
39.HewhoknowstheKechariMudraisnotafflictedwithdisease,death,sloth,sleep,hunger,thirst,and
swooning.
40.HewhoknowstheKechariMudra,isnottroubledbydiseases,isnotstainedwithkarmas,andisnot
snaredbytime.
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41.TheSiddhashavedevisedthisKechariMudrafromthefactthatthemindandthetonguereachakasaby
itspractice.
42.IftheholebehindthepalatebestoppedwithKecharibyturningthetongueupwards,thenbinducannot
leaveitsplaceevenifawomenwereembraced.
43.IftheYogidrinksSomarasa(juice)bysittingwiththetongueturnedbackwardsandmindconcentrated,
thereisnodoubtheconquersdeathwithin15days.
44.IftheYogi,whosebodyisfullofSomarasa,werebittenbyTakshaka(snake),itspoisoncannotpermeate
hisbody.
45.Asfireisinseparablyconnectedwiththewoodandlightisconnectedwiththewickandoil,sodoesthe
soulnotleavethebodyfullofnectarexudingfromtheSoma.
(Note.Soma(Chandra)isdescribedlateronlocatedinthethousandpetalledlotusinthehumanbrain,and
isthesameasisseenonSivas'headinpictures,andfromwhichasortofjuiceexudes.Itistherestraining
ofthisexudationwhichmakesoneimmortal.)
46.Thosewhoeatthefleshofthecowanddrinktheimmortalliquordaily,areregardedbymemenofnoble
family.Othersarebutadisgracetotheirfamilies.
(Note.Translation:FortunatearetheparentsandblessedisthecountryandthefamilywhereaYogiisborn.
AnythinggiventosuchaYogi,becomesimmortal.One,whodiscriminatesbetweenPurusaandPrakriti,
purgesthesinsofamillionincarnations,byseeing,speaking,andtouchingsuchmen(i.e.Yogi).
AYogifarexceedsathousandhouseholders,ahundredvanapraasthas,andathousandBrahmacharis.
WhocanknowtherealityoftheRajaYoga?Thatcountryisverysacredwhereresidesamanwhoknowsit.
Byseeingandhonoringhim,generationsofignorantmengetmoksa,whattospeakofthosewhoareactually
engagedinit.Heknowsinternalandexternalyoga,deservesadorationfromyouandme,whatifheis
adoredbytherestofmankind!
Thosewhoengageinthegreatyoga,onceorthricedaily,aretobeknownasmastersofgreatwealth
(mabeshwaras)orLords.)
47.Theword(rsana[?])meanstongueeatingitisthrustingitinthegulletwhichdestroysgreatsins.
48.Immortalliquoristhenectarexudingfromthemoon(Chandrasituatedontheleftsideofthespace
betweentheeyebrows).Itisproducedbythefirewhichisgeneratedbythrustingthetongue.
49.Ifthetonguecantouchwithitsendtheholefromwhichfallstherasa(juice)whichissaltish,bitter,
sour,milkyandsimilartogheeandhoney,onecandriveawaydisease,destroyoldage,canevadeanattack
ofarms,becomeimmortalineightwaysandcanattractfairies.
50.Hewhodrinkstheclearstreamofliquorofthemoon(soma)fallingfromthebraintothesixteenpetalled
lotus(intheheart),obtainedbymeansofPranabyapplyingthetonguetotheholeofthependantinthe
palate,andbymeditatingonthegreatpower(Kundalini),becomesfreefromdiseaseandtenderinbody,like
thestalkofalotus,andtheYogilivesaverylonglife.
51.OnthetopoftheMeru(vertabralcolumn),concealedinahole,istheSomarasa(nectarofChandra)the
wise,whoseintellectisnotoverpoweredbyRajaandTamasgunas,butinwhomSatwagunais
predominant,saythereisthe(universalspirit)atmainit.ItisthesourceofthedowngoingIda,Pingalaand
SusumnaNadis,whicharetheGanges,theYamunaandtheSarasvati.FromthatChandraisshedthe
essenceofthebodywhichcausesdeathofmen.Itshould,therefore,bestoppedfromshedding.This
(KhechariMudra)isaverygoodinstrumentforthispurpose.Thereisnoothermeansofachievingthisend.
52.Thisholeisthegeneratorofknowledgeandisthesourceofthefivestreams(Ida,Pingala,&c.).Inthat
colorlessvacuum,KhechariMudrashouldbeestablished.
53.ThereisonlyoneseedgerminatingthewholeuniversefromitandthereisonlyoneMudra,called
Khachari.Thereisonlyonedeva(god)withoutanyone'ssupport,andthereisoneconditioncalled
Manonmani.

TheUddiyanaBandha
54.UddiyanaissocalledbytheYogis,becausebyitspracticethePrana(vayu),flies(flows)inthe
Susumna.
55.Uddiyanaissocalled,becausethegreatbird,Prana,tiedtoit,flieswithoutbeingfatigued.Itis
explainedbelow.
56.Thebellyabovethenavelispressedbackwardstowardsthespine.ThisUddiyanaBandhaislikealion
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fortheelephantofdeath.
57.Uddiyanaisalwaysveryeasy,whenlearntfromaguru.Thepractiserofthis,ifold,becomesyoung
again.
58.Theportionsaboveandbelowthenavel,shouldbedrawnbackwardstowardsthespine.Bypracticing
thisforsixmonthsonecanundoubtedlyconquerdeath.
59.OfalltheBandhas,Uddiyanaisthebestforbybindingitfirmlyliberationcomesspontaneously.

TheMulaBandha
60.PressingYoni(perineum)withtheheel,contractuptheanus.BydrawingtheApanathus,MulaBandha
ismade.
61.TheApana,naturallyincliningdownward,ismadetogoupbyforce.ThisMulaBandhaisspokenofby
Yogisasdonebycontractingtheanus.
62.Pressingtheheelwellagainsttheanus,drawuptheairbyforce,againandagaintillit(air)goesup.
63.Prana,Apana,NadaandBinduunitingintooneinthisway,givesuccessinYoga,undoubtedly.
64.BythepurificationofPrana,andApana,urineandexcrementsdecrease.Evenanoldmanbecomes
youngbyconstantlypracticingMulaBandha.
65.GoinguptheApanaentersthezoneoffire,i.e.,thestomach.Theflameoffirestruckbytheairis
therebylengthened.
(NoteInthecenterofthebodyistheseatoffire,likeheatedgold.Inmenitistriangular,inquadrupeds
square,inbirdscircular.Thereisalongthinflameinthisfire.Itisgastricfire.)
66.These,fireandApana,gotothenaturallyhotPrana,which,becominginflamedthereby,causesburning
sensationinthebody.
67.TheKundalini,whichhasbeensleepingallthistime,becomeswellheatedbythismeansandawakens
well.Itbecomesstraightlikeaserpent,struckdeadwithastick.
68.ItenterstheBrahmaNadi,justlikeaserpententersitshole.Therefore,theYogishouldalwayspractice
thisMulaBandha.

TheJalandharaBandha
69.Contractthethroatandpressthechinfirmlyagainstthechest.ThisiscalledJalandharaBandha,which
destroysoldageanddeath.
70.Itstopstheopening(hole)ofthegroupofNadis,throughwhichthejuicefromthesky(fromtheSoma
orChandrainthebrain)fallsdown.Itis,therefore,calledtheJalandharaBandhathedestroyerofahost
ofdiseasesofthhhhethroat.
71.InJalandharaBandha,theindicationsofaperfectcontractionofthroatare,thatthenectardoesnotfall
intothefire(theSuryasituatedinthenavel),andtheairisnotdisturbed.
72.ThetwoNadisshouldbestoppedfirmlybycontractingthethroat.Thisiscalledthemiddlecircuitor
center(MadhyaChakra),anditstopsthe16adharas(i.e.,vitalparts).
(Note.ThesixteenvitalpartsmentionedbyrenownedYogisarethe(1)thumbs,(2)ankles,(3)knees,(5)
theprepuce,(6)organsofgeneration,(7)thenavel,(8)theheart,(9)theneck,(10)thethroat,(11)the
palate,(12)thenose,(13)themiddleoftheeyebrows,(14)theforehead,(15)theheadand(16)the
Brahmarandra.)
73.Bydrawingupthemulasthana(anus),UddiyanaBandhashouldbeperformed.Theflowoftheairshould
bedirectedtotheSusumna,byclosingtheIdaandthePingala.
74.ThePranabecomescalmandlatentbythismeans,andthusthereisnodeath,oldage,disease,etc.
75.ThesethreeBandhasarethebestofallandhavebeenpracticedbythemasters.Ofallthemeansof
successinHathaYoga,theyareknowntotheYogisasthechiefones.
76.Thewholeofthenectar,possessingdivinequalities,whichexudesfromtheSoma(Chandra)isdevoured
bytheSuryaand,owingtothis,thebodybecomesold.
77.Toremedythis,theopeningoftheSuryaisavoidedbyexcellentmeans.Itistobelearntbestby
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instructionsfromagurubutnotbyevenamilliondiscussions.

TheViparitaKarani
78.Abovethenavelandbelowthepalaterespectively,aretheSuryaandtheChandra.Theexercise,called
theViparitaKarani,islearntfromtheguru'sinstructions.
79.Thisexerciseincreasestheappetiteand,therefore,onewhopracticesit,shouldobtainagoodsupplyof
food.Ifthefoodbescanty,itwillburnhimatonce.
80.Placetheheadonthegroundandthefeetupintothesky,forasecondonlythefirstday,andincrease
thistimedaily.
81.Aftersixmonths,thewrinklesandgreyhairarenotseen.Hewhopracticesitdaily,evenfortwohours,
conquersdeath.

TheVajroli.
82.Evenifonewholivesawaywardlife,withoutobservinganyrulesofYoga,butperformsVajroli,deserves
successandisaYogi.
83.Twothingsarenecessaryforthis,andthesearedifficulttogetfortheordinarypeople(1)milkand
(2)awomanbehaving,asdesired.
84.Bypracticingtodrawinthebindu,dischargedduringcohabitation,whetheronebeamanorawoman,
oneobtainssuccessinthepracticeofVajroli.
85.Bymeansofapipe,oneshouldblowairslowlyintothepassageinthemaleorgan.[Urethra.]
86.Bypractice,thedischargedbinduisdrawnout.Onecandrawbackandpreserveone'sown
dischargedbindu.
87.TheYogiwhocanprotecthisbinduthus,overcomesdeathbecausedeathcomesbydischargingbindu,
andlifeisprolongedbyitspreservation.
88.Bypreservingbindu,thebodyoftheYogiemitsapleasingsmell.Thereisnofearofdeath,solongas
thebinduiswellestablishedinthebody.
89.Thebinduofmenisundercontrolofthemind,andlifeisdependantonthebindu.Hence,mind
andbindushouldbeprotectedbyallmeans.

TheSahajoli
90.SahajoliandAmaroliareonlythedifferentkindsofVajroli.Ashesfromburntupcowdungshouldbe
mixedwithwater.
91.BeingfreefromtheexerciseofVajroli,manandwomanshouldbothrubitontheirbodies.
92.ThisiscalledSahajoli,andshouldbereliedonbyYogis.Itdoesgoodandgivesmoksa.
93.ThisYogaisachievedbycourageouswisemen,whoarefreefromsloth,andcannotbeaccomplishedby
theslothful.

TheAmaroli
94.InthedoctrineofthesectoftheKapalikas,theAmaroliisthedrinkingofthemidstreamleavingthe1st,
asitisamixtureoftoomuchbileandthelast,whichisuseless.
95.HewhodrinksAmari,snuffitdaily,andpracticesVajroli,iscalledpracticingAmaroli.
96.ThebindudischargedinthepracticeofVajrolishouldbemixedwithashes,andtherubbingitonthe
bestpartsofthebodygivesdivinesight.

TheSaktichalana
97.Kutilanga(crookedbodied),Kundalini,Bhujangi(asheserpent)Sakti,Ishwari,Kuundali,Arunddhati,
allthesewordsaresynonymous.
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98.Asadoorisopenedwithakey,sotheYogiopensthedoorofmuktibyopeningKundalinibymeansof
HathaYoga.
99.TheParameswari(Kundalini)sleeps,coveringtheholeofthepassagebywhichonecangototheseatof
Brahmawhichisfreefrompains.
100.KundaliSaktisleepsonthebulb,forthepurposeofgivingmoksatoYogisandbondagetotheignorant.
Hewhoknowsit,knowsYoga.
101.Kundaliisofabentshape,andhasbeendescribedtobelikeaserpent.HewhohasmovedthatSaktiis
nodoubtMukta(releasedfrombondage).
102.YoungsterTapaswini(asheascetic),layingbetweentheGangesandtheYamuni,(IdaandPingala)
shouldbecaughtholdofbyforce,togetthehighestposition.
103.IdaiscalledthegoddessGanges,PingalagoddessYamuna.InthemiddleoftheIdaandthePingalais
theinfantwidow,Kundali.
104.Thissleepingsheserpentshouldbeawakenedbycatchingholdofhertail.BytheforceofHatha,the
Saktileaveshersleep,andstartsupwards.
105.ThissheserpentissituatedinMuladhar.Sheshouldbecaughtandmoveddaily,morningandevening,
for1/2aprahar(11/2hours),byfillingwithairthroughPingalabytheParidhanamethod.
106.Thebulbisabovetheanus,avitasti(12angulas)long,andmeasures4angulas(3inches)inextent
andissoftandwhite,andappearsasifafoldedcloth.
107.KeepingthefeetinVajraasana(Padmaasana),holdthemfirmlywiththehands.Thepositionofthe
bulbthenwillbeneartheanklejoint,whereitshouldbepressed.
108.TheYogi,sittingwithVajraasanaandhavingmovedKundali,shouldperformBhastrikatoawakenthe
Kundalisoon.
109.Bhanu(Surya,nearthenavel)shouldbecontracted(bycontractingthenavel)whichwillmovethe
Kundali.Thereisnofearforhimwhodoesso,evenifhehasenteredthemouthofdeath.
110.Bymovingthis,fortwomuhurtas,itisdrawnupalittlebyenteringtheSusumna(spinalcolumn).
111.BythisKundalinileavestheentranceoftheSusumnaatonce,andthePranaentersitofitself.
112.Therefore,thiscomfortablysleepingArundhatishouldalwaysbemovedforbysodoingtheYogigets
ridofdiseases.
113.TheYogi,whohasbeenabletomovetheSaktideservessuccess.Itisuselesstosaymore,sufficeitto
saythatheconquersdeathplayfully.
114.TheYogiobservingBrahmacharya(continence)andalwayseatingsparingly,getssuccesswithin40
daysbypracticewithKundali.
115.AftermovingtheKundali,plentyofBhastrashouldbeperformed.Bysuchpractice,hehasnofearfrom
thegodofdeath.
116.Thereisnootherway,butthepracticeoftheKundali,forwashingawaytheimpuritiesof72,000Nadis.
117.ThismiddleNadibecomesstraightbysteadypracticeofposturesPranayamaandMudrasofYogis.
118.Thosewhosesleephasdecreasedbypracticeandmindhasbecomecalmbysamadhi,getbeneficial
accomplishmentsbySambhaviandotherMudras.
119.WithoutRajaYoga,thisearth,thenight,andtheMudras,betheyhowsoeverwonderful,donotappear
beautiful.
(Note.RajaYoga=asana.Earth=steadiness,calmness.Night=Kumbhakacessationsoftheactivityofthe
Prana,justasKing'sofficialsceasemovingatnight.Hencenightmeansabsenceofmotion,i.e.,Kumbhaka.)
120.Allthepracticesrelatingtoairshouldbeperformedwithconcentratedmind.Awisemanshouldnot
allowhismindtowanderaway.
121.ThesearetheMudras,asexplainedbyAdinatha(Siva).Everyoneofthemisthegiverofgreat
accomplishmentstothepractiser.
122.HeisreallytheguruandnottobeconsideredasIsvarainhumanformwhoteachestheMudrasas
handeddownfromgurutoguru.
123.Engaginginpractice,byputtingfaithinhiswords,onegetstheSiddhisofAnima,etc.,asalsoevades
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death.

EndofchapterIII
OntheExpositionoftheMudras.

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