Introduction to Tantra Sastra - Aghori

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INTRODUCTION TO TANTRA ŚĀSTRA
has by the appropriate mantra been invoked into the
yantra, the vital airs (prāṇ a) of the Devatā are infused
therein by the prāṇ ā-pratiṣṭ hā ceremony, mantra, and
mudrā. The Devatā is thereby installed in the yantra, 1
which is no longer mere gross matter veiling the spirit
which has been always there, but instinct with its aroused
presence, which the sādhaka first welcomes and then
worships. Mantra in itself is Devatā and yantra is mantra
in that it is the body of the Devatā who is mantra. 2
MUDRĀ
The term mudra is derived from the root mud, “to
please," and in its upāsana form is so called because it
gives pleasure to the Devas. Devānāṃ moda-dā mudra
tasmāt taṃ yatnataścaret. It is said that there are 108,
of which 55 are commonly used. 3 The term means ritual
gestures made with the hands in worship or positions of
the body in yoga practice. Thus of the first class the
matsya-(fish) mudrā is formed in offering arghya by
placing the right hand on the back of the left and
extending, fish-like, on each side the two thumbs with
the object that the conch which contains water may be
regarded as an ocean with aquatic animals; and the
yoni-mudra which presents that organ as a triangle
formed by the thumbs, the two first fingers, and the two
little fingers is shown with the object of invoking the
Devi to come and take Her place before the worshipper,
1 See, e g., Mahā-nirvāṇa-Tantra, chap, vi, verses 63 et seq. The process is
the same as that employed in the case of images (pratimā).
2 Yantram mantram-mayaṃ
proktaṃ
mantrātmā devataiva hi.
Dehātmanor-yathā bhedo, yantra-devatayostathā (Kaulāvaliya Tāntra).
3 Śabda-kalpa-druma—sub voce mudrā, and see chap, xi. Nirvāṇa Tantra.
As to the special sense of mudrā in pāñcatattva, vide post sub voce.