Varada Mudra

वरद मुद्रा

Meditation/SpiritualFire

Etymology

Varada (वरद) means 'boon-granting' or 'wish-fulfilling'

Finger Position

Left hand open, palm forward, fingers pointing down

Duration

During blessing or charitable activities

Difficulty

Beginner

Associated Chakras

Manipura(Solar Plexus)
Anahata(Heart)
Bija Mantra: OM
Tarjani(Air)Madhyama(Space)Anamika(Earth)Kanishthika(Water)Angutha(Fire)

Highlighted fingers indicate active contact points

MGN Notation

HAND(LEFT)
  PALM(FORWARD)
  WRIST(STRAIGHT)
  T: STRAIGHT
  1: STRAIGHT
  2: STRAIGHT
  3: STRAIGHT
  4: STRAIGHT
  FINGERS(TOGETHER)

# Hand hangs at side, palm forward, fingers pointing down

Instructions

This generosity activation gesture promotes compassionate giving through specific palm positioning. Research on prosocial behavior shows that open postures can enhance empathy and altruistic motivation (Stellar et al., 2012). Formation: Extend left hand downward at side with palm facing forward in generous offering gesture. Keep fingers naturally extended. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Those with codependency issues or compulsive giving patterns should practice with professional support. Avoid if experie...

Quick Start Checklist

  • 1Sit or stand with relaxed posture
  • 2Extend left hand
  • 3palm forward in giving gesture
  • 4Breathe softly through the nose; feel warmth at the heart
  • 5On exhale
  • 6offer goodwill or blessing
  • 72–5 minutes

Benefits

Physical

  • Opens heart and solar plexus
  • promotes generous energy flow

Mental

  • Cultivates generosity
  • compassion
  • and selfless giving

Spiritual

Traditional texts describe this as "channeling divine grace and blessing energy to others" — their term for how extending the left hand with palm forward activates the parasympathetic nervous system's prosocial functions. Ancient practitioners observed that this generous, open-handed gesture creates what they called "charitable consciousness" — the calm, open-hearted state that naturally arises wh

Clinical Applications

Guided Practice

Rest your left hand in your lap with palm facing up. Extend your right hand downward at your side with palm facing forward in a gesture of generous offering. Keep fingers naturally extended and relaxed. This giving position cultivates generosity and selfless service. Feel how the downward-facing palm creates a natural flow of giving energy while the upward palm remains receptive. Many practitione

Symbolism

Traditional Ayurvedic medicine describes this mudra as harmonizing the air element (Vayu) within the body's five-element system, which governs all movement including breath, circulation, and nervous system function. Ancient practitioners believed the index finger-thumb contact activated what they ca

Traditional Uses

Buddhist blessing practicescharitycompassionate giving
Source: Buddhist iconography