People meditate for a variety of reasons. Some desire to improve their focus or concentration, while others might hope to explore a path toward self-discovery. It's also believed that some meditations can help you manifest your dreams. Meditating with Surabhi mudra, the sacred hand gesture of wish fulfillment, may help your wishes come true.
Mudras are sacred and symbolic gestures. They originate from Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism, and are often used in yoga and meditation practices to channel the flow of energy throughout the mind and body. The Surabhi mudra is believed to stimulate the third chakra which is associated with power and self-confidence. If you feel like you could use a boost in self-esteem or you have dreams to attain, this mudra might be a good addition to your daily routine.
Benefits of Surabhi Mudra
In Sanskrit, "mudra" translates to gesture or mark. Mudras are often used in spiritual and religious practices, such as rituals and dances, to help open up energy pathways throughout the body. Then, the mudras help seal this energy into the areas where you're hoping to receive a little extra support.
The Surabhi mudra is the gesture of wish fulfillment and self-empowerment. It is also known as Kamadhenu mudra, which translates to the mother of cows. The name of this mudra stems from the Hindu goddess Kamadhenu, also called Surabhi. According to legend, the bovine goddess provided her owner with anything he desired and granted his every wish. She provided an endless supply of milk, gave birth to an abundance of cattle, and even summoned warriors to protect him.
This mudra has been linked to the solar plexus chakra, which is located just above the navel. When this chakra is in balance, it's believed to help improve a person's confidence and self-esteem and help them rediscover a sense of purpose.
Some additional benefits of this mudra may include:
- Aids in digestion
- Boosts metabolism
- Decreases fatigue
- Improves decision-making skills
- Increases sense of control
- Reduces behaviors of overeating
Each chakra is also associated with a unique element. The third chakra is linked to fire. It is believed that when this chakra is stimulated, it can brighten and balance a person's energy.
How to Perform Surabhi Mudra
The hand gestures of the Surabhi mudra were designed to symbolize a cow's udders in order to honor Kamadhenu, the mother of cows. At first glance, this mudra can look a bit complex, but don't let that scare you. We've broken it down into simple steps to help you engage in the practice.
- Find a comfortable seated position. Then, bring your hands to be even with your chest.
- Touch the tip of your pinkie finger on your right hand to the tip of your ring finger on your left hand and keep it in place.
- Next, do the inverse. Touch the tip of the ring finger of your right hand with the pinkie finger on your left hand and hold it there. Make sure that the ring finger on your right hand is placed over the ring finger on the left hand, instead of underneath.
- Then, touch the middle finger on your right hand to the pointer finger on your left hand and keep it in place.
- Now, do the inverse. Touch the tip of your pointer finger of your right hand to the tip of the middle finger or your left hand. Make sure your pointer finger on your right hand is placed over the middle finger, instead of underneath.
- Finally, hold your thumbs apart and point them toward the center of your chest.
The more you practice this mudra, the more you'll get the hang of it. You can start by holding this gesture for about one to two minutes a day. Over time, you'll notice that your hands and fingers will be able to relax into the position more naturally and that it takes fewer mental gymnastics for you to match up the finger pairings.
Tips to Enhance Your Mudra Practice
It's never too late to start a meditation practice. If you're interested in breathwork, mantras, or mindfulness, don't let the intimidation of starting something new get in your way. You've got this!
Set aside some time during your day to practice. Explore the tips below to enhance your practice.
- Practice the mudra in pieces. Match up just your pinkies and ring fingers. Then, after a few minutes, release and shift your focus to your pointer and middle fingers. Gradually work your way up to bring both aspects together.
- Add a Bija mantra to your practice. This is often referred to as the Manipura chakra mantra, which is associated with any mantra connected to the solar plexus chakra. The mantra to repeat with this practice is "Ram" (pronounced Rahm). You can repeat this sound while you practice the hand gesture.
- You can also visualize colors while you practice the mudra. Not only is each chakra associated with specific elements, but they are also connected to colors. The third chakra is linked to the color yellow, so you can surround yourself with this color while you meditate, or picture it in your mind.
- It's okay to take breaks whenever you need to. If your hands cramp as you practice, open and close your fingers and give them some time to stretch before you try again.
We could all use a bit more self-empowerment in our lives. If you're looking to start a new meditation practice or to further the one you currently have, the Surabhi mudra might be just what you need. It might not necessarily be able to make all of your wishes come true, but it can help you manifest what you want and set you on the right path to achieving it.
