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Bhairava Mudra

भैरव मुद्रा

Meditation/SpiritualFire

Etymology

Bhairava (भैरव) refers to fierce aspect of Lord Shiva

Finger Position

Right hand (palm down) completely covers left hand (palm up) in lap

Duration

15-30 minutes during meditation

Difficulty

Intermediate

Associated Chakras

Muladhara(Root)

Bija Mantra: OM (integration sound)

Highlighted fingers indicate active contact points

MGN Notation

HAND(LEFT)
  PALM(UP)
  WRIST(STRAIGHT)
  T: STRAIGHT
  1: STRAIGHT
  2: STRAIGHT
  3: STRAIGHT
  4: STRAIGHT
  FINGERS(TOGETHER)
  POSITION(LAP)

HAND(RIGHT)
  PALM(DOWN)
  WRIST(STRAIGHT)
  T: STRAIGHT
  1: STRAIGHT
  2: STRAIGHT
  3: STRAIGHT
  4: STRAIGHT
  FINGERS(TOGETHER)
  POSITION(COVERING_LEFT)

# Right hand (palm down) completely covers left hand (palm up) in lap

Instructions

Rest left hand palm-up in your lap. Place right hand palm-down directly over the left so it fully covers it. Let elbows be easy, shoulders heavy, and spine long. Breathe through the nose with a slightly longer, quieter exhale. Setup - Hand shape: Left palm up as a receptive base. Right palm down covering left completely. Fingers relaxed, no pressing. - Position: Hands rest in the lap at or just below the navel. Keep wrists neutral. - Posture and gaze: Sit tall through the crown. Soften jaw and ...

Quick Start Checklist

1Sit upright; rest right hand over left in lap
2Both palms facing up; right completely covers left
3Hold at navel or heart level
4Breathe naturally; embody fierce compassion
5Practice 15-30 minutes during meditation
6Balance spiritual power with gentle wisdom

Benefits

Physical

•Balances nervous system
•improves spinal alignment

Mental

•Promotes mental stability
•improves focus

Spiritual

Traditional texts describe this as "integrating opposing forces for spiritual balance" — their terms for how this hand positioning activates the parasympathetic nervous system's unity functions. Practitioners often report that this mudra helps develop what ancient sources called "fierce compassion" — a powerful yet balanced state that can embrace both transcendent awareness and earthly engagement.

Precautions

!Practice seated; reduce duration if agitation increases
!Not for acute mania
!active aggression
!or intoxication; seek professional care
!If trauma history
!pair with grounding and shorter holds; stop if dissociation or overwhelm arises
!Keep hand pressure light to avoid wrist or finger strain

Clinical Applications

Anger ManagementAnxiety & Stress ManagementDepression & Mood Support

Guided Practice

Rest your left hand palm-up in your lap. Place your right hand palm-down on top so it fully covers the left. Let the elbows hang easy and the shoulders grow heavy. Lengthen through the crown. Breathe through the nose, letting each exhale be a little longer and quieter than the inhale. Arrive Feel the light weight of the top hand and the support of the lower hand. Notice which habit is present tod

Symbolism

Traditional Tantric texts describe Bhairava as the fierce aspect of Shiva representing the integration of transcendence and immanence - not rejecting the world but transforming it through awakened consciousness. Ancient practitioners believed this hand placement represented what they called 'dynamic