by Dipankar Das

In a teeming trans-Yamuna locality of Delhi, India, lies the Vivekanand Yogashram. Its director Acharya Keshav Dev is a lean man in his sixties. His eyes are perpetually half-closed but you can scarcely suspect indolence, rather it seems as if he is seeking something within. He discourses on the mysteries of the universe or holds forth on the virtues of ancient science with evident relish. In awe of nature, he believes man to be its supreme creation.

In a teeming trans-Yamuna locality of Delhi, India, lies the Vivekanand Yogashram. Its director Acharya Keshav Dev is a lean man in his sixties. His eyes are perpetually half-closed but you can scarcely suspect indolence, rather it seems as if he is seeking something within. He discourses on the mysteries of the universe or holds forth on the virtues of ancient science with evident relish. In awe of nature, he believes man to be its supreme creation.

The Acharya has spent years studying the ancient systems of astrology, numerology, music and grammar. He asserts that the sciences of yore got coated with sugar down the years. "The ancients believed there were 24 diagnostic elements, is it a coincidence that the Gayatri mantra has 24 words, the Jains have 24 Tirthankaras, Sanatan Dharma has 24 avatars," he asks.

One of his favorite subjects is the science of mudras. Emphasizing on hasta mudras (hand postures), the Acharya says there is a tremendous flow of energy in our hands and each finger represents one of the five elements—the thumb is agni (fire), the forefinger is vayu (air), the middle finger is akash (ether), the ring finger is prithvi (earth) and the little finger is jal (water).

"The roots of all diseases lie in an imbalance of one of the five elements and can be corrected with medicines, willpower and mudras," he says. The Gayatri mantra also confirms the worth of mudras with a grim qualifier:

Eta mudra na janati Gayatri nishfala bhavat (he who knows not the mudras will not benefit from Gayatri).

The mantra lists 24 mudras, while an unknown number lies in the many forms of yoga. Acharya Keshav Dev has, however, evolved some of his own mudras, which help control, many of the diseases that afflict us today.

"Often you might have been rebuked by your mother for twiddling your fingers or dangling your legs. This is considered inauspicious because it involves a waste of prana or the vital energy within us," he explains. "An excess of wastage can even lead to brain damage; mudra vigyan taps this energy to heal the individual. The science of mudras is one of the finest gifts of yoga to the cause of human welfare," he adds.

Born in 1931, to the president of the local bar council in Meerut, India, Keshav Dev's house was full of religious literature. During the turmoil of Partition, he wandered away from home and began rigorous ascetic practices, living on fruit juices for six months. He discovered the magic of mudras when he had an earache. His guru suggested a mudra that, however, proved ineffective, but it led him to configure his fingers in new ways. One of the shapes, which he later christened Shunya Mudra, cured him completely, and enhanced his aural faculty to such an extent that he seems to have heard his inner voice too and has not ceased trying out new shapes since.

His mission in life now is simply to help as manyas possible by retrieving the lost discoveries of an ancient science. These mudras are for everyone. They can be practiced for half-an-hour daily. It is advisable to sit cross-legged on your bed or on the floor while doing a mudra, but the Acharya assures that it won't be ineffective if you do not follow this posture. You could even go for a stroll, with your hands casually tucked in your pockets, fingers folded in a particular mudra.

Mudras never generate an excess of energy, they simply seek an optimal balancing of prana, much like a thermostat. So next time you are ailing, remember it may just be an instance of maladjusted prana and an innocuous sleight of hand could be the cure.

GYAN MUDRA

The thumb and the index finger are brought together in gentle contact, not pressing hard, while all other fingers are kept upright. This is the mudra most people are familiar with.

Great thinkers such as Buddha, Mahavir, Christ and Guru Nanak are generally depicted in this pose. Its practice ensures mental peace, concentration, sharp memory and spiritual feelings.

It cures insomnia and mental disorders, and dissipates tension, depression and drowsiness. This is a must for those who aspire to develop telepathy or wish to acquire extrasensory abilities.

APAN VAYU MUDRA

(Also known as Mritsanjeevini Mudra)

Fold the forefinger down and touch the mound of the thumb. The little finger should be held erect.

It regulates complications of the heart. In a severe heart attack, if administered as a first aid measure within the first two seconds, it provides instant relief.

PRAN MUDRA

Touch the points of the little finger and the ring finger to the tip of the thumb lightly.

This is a life-giving mudra, it energizes the body and improves its vitality.

It helps to improve eyesight. A must for those who feel nervous, tired and weak.


SURABHI MUDRA

Join the little finger of one hand with the ring finger of the other and vice versa. Similarly, join the forefinger with the middle finger of the other hand and vice versa. Leave the thumbs free.
This controls rheumatic inflammation and sharpens your intellect.

APAN MUDRA

Join the middle finger and the ring finger with the tip of the thumb; the forefinger and the little finger should be held upright.

Provides relief in urinary problems and eases difficulty in labor and delivery. It facilitates the discharge of waste matter from the body and purifies the system.

LINGA MUDRA

Join both the palms and lock the facing fingers together, keeping one thumb upright. The upright thumb must be encircled by the other thumb and the index finger.

Makes the body resistant to colds, coughs and chest infections by generating heat in the body, and destroying accumulated phlegm in the chest.

It helps in weight reduction too, but has to be practiced with restraint.

The intake of at least eight glasses of water, and butter and ghee (clarified butter) as cooling agents in sufficient quantities is a must.

Due to the heat it generates, it may not be possible to practice this mudra with as much ease and flexibility as the other mudras. It might prove taxing and result in a feeling of lethargy.

SHUNYA MUDRA

Bring the middle finger down to touch the palm and bring the padding of the thumb on top of it, keeping the other fingers straight up.

Do this for 40 minutes a day.

This mudra is ideal for ailments of the ear, and also helps those of the nose and the throat.

Even five minutes of this mudra will help an earache.

VARUNA MUDRA

A bit like the Gyan Mudra.

Touch the tip of the little finger with the tip of the thumb while the other fingers are kept upright.

Regular practice ensures an optimum level of water in the body and heals all ailments connected with dehydration.