Also called: bhairavi mudra.
How to do Bhairava Mudra
- Sit upright in a steady position: cross-legged, kneeling or on a chair with your feet flat on the floor.
- Place your left hand in your lap, palm facing up.
- Rest the back of your right hand in your left palm, also facing up, so the fingers of both hands lie on top of each other.
- Let the thumbs relax and fall slightly apart; they do not need to touch.
- Close your eyes and let your breathing become slow and quiet. For Bhairavi mudra, swap hands so the left hand rests on top.
- Stay for 10–30 minutes, then release your hands, rub the palms together and open your eyes.
Traditional benefits
- Traditionally used as a hand position for meditation and pranayama
- Traditionally used for stillness and a feeling of balance
- Traditionally said to unite the two sides of the body and the two main energy channels (ida and pingala)
- Traditionally used to turn attention inward and relax the shoulders and arms
Keep in mind
- Mudras do not replace medical treatment. Keep taking prescribed medicine and see a doctor for any health problem.
- If your shoulders pull forward, place a cushion or folded blanket in your lap to raise the hands.
Bhairava mudra is a meditation hand position in which the right hand rests in the left, both palms facing up, in the lap. It is simple, relaxing and steady enough for long sits, which is why it appears in many yoga and meditation traditions. Here is its meaning, how to do it, how it differs from Bhairavi and Dhyana mudra, and what the Bhairava mudra benefits really are.
Bhairava mudra meaning and pronunciation
Bhairava is the fierce form of Shiva, the one who destroys fear. His partner is the goddess Bhairavi. So the Bhairava mudra meaning is "gesture of Bhairava"; its English name on our chart is the fierce gesture. Bhairava mudra pronunciation: "BHY-ruh-vuh MOO-druh".
Why is such a calm gesture named after a fierce god? In tantric thought, true stillness is powerful: a mind that no longer runs away has nothing left to fear. The two hands also carry meaning. The right hand stands for the active, solar side and the left for the receptive, lunar side. Resting one in the other joins them.
Bhairava mudra how to do: tips
The steps above and the Bhairava mudra images at the top of this page show the hand position. If you ask which mudra is this when you see two open hands stacked in a lap, it is Bhairava or Bhairavi. A few tips:
- Hand height. The hands rest just below the navel. A cushion in the lap stops the shoulders from rounding.
- Soft hands. Nothing presses. The fingers lie loosely on top of each other.
- Seat. Sit in Easy Pose, Lotus or on a chair.
It is a good hand position for long practice, 10–30 minutes. Set the meditation timer and use a slow breath such as Nadi Shodhana beforehand. Many teachers pair it with Shambhavi mudra. What is Shambhavi mudra? A gentle gaze toward the eyebrow centre; how to do Shambhavi mudra is simple: with the eyes half closed, look softly up and in, and stop if the eyes strain.
Bhairava mudra vs Bhairavi mudra
The only difference is which hand is on top. In Bhairava mudra the right hand rests on the left; in Bhairavi mudra the left rests on the right. Some traditions give Bhairavi to women and Bhairava to men; others simply alternate. Bhairavi mudra benefits are described the same way: stillness and balance. Choose the one that feels natural, or switch halfway through a long sit.
Bhairava mudra vs Dhyana mudra
| Bhairava mudra | Dhyana mudra | |
|---|---|---|
| Hands | Right hand resting in the left, palms up | Right hand resting in the left, palms up |
| Thumbs | Relaxed, apart | Tips touch, forming an oval |
| Tradition | Hatha and tantric yoga | Buddhist and yoga meditation |
In Dhyana mudra the joined thumbs help you notice when you drift; in Bhairava the hands simply rest.
Bhairava mudra benefits
- A steady seat for meditation. The hands are fully supported, so the arms and shoulders relax.
- Balance. Joining the right and left hands is traditionally said to balance the two sides of the body and the ida and pingala energy channels.
- Calm. As with any quiet sit, slow breathing is what helps most. See yoga for anxiety for a full routine.
Bhairava mudra chakra links vary: with the hands at the navel, some teachers connect it to the navel chakra; see our chakras guide. You may also see it listed as a mudra for hair growth, hair fall or hair regrowth. There is no evidence for that; for practical tips, see yoga for hair fall.
Bhairava mudra benefits in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada or Hindi books are the same as in English, and Bhairavi mudra benefits in Tamil match too. The Hindi box below sums them up.
Bhairava mudra side effects and mantra
There are no known Bhairava mudra side effects. Stiff shoulders or sleepy long sits are the usual complaints. A mantra is optional; devotees of Bhairava sometimes chant the Bhairava Rudraya mantra ("Om Bhairava Rudraya Maha Rudraya...") silently, but the mudra works just as well with the breath alone. You do not need to know how to pray to Bhairava, or worship at home, to use it; it is a meditation tool for anyone.
Related mudras
Each mudra and its benefits suit a different need, and there is no single best mudra for overall health. What is Abhaya mudra? The raised open hand of fearlessness; Varada mudra benefits are generosity and compassion. How to do Shunya mudra: fold the middle finger under the thumb; Shunya mudra benefits are traditionally for the ears. The benefits of Prithvi mudra are stability, the benefits of Vayu mudra relate to gas, the benefits of Kubera mudra to goals, and Apana Vayu is the traditional mudra for heart health. No gesture is a mudra to reduce body heat; for cooling, try Sheetali breathing. See them all on the mudras chart.
भैरव मुद्रा (Bhairava Mudra) — हिंदी में: सीधे बैठें, बायाँ हाथ गोद में हथेली ऊपर करके रखें और दाएँ हाथ की पीठ उस पर रखें। अंगूठे ढीले छोड़ दें। आँखें बंद करके 10 से 30 मिनट धीरे साँस लें। बायाँ हाथ ऊपर हो तो इसे भैरवी मुद्रा कहते हैं। भैरव मुद्रा के लाभ: परंपरा के अनुसार यह ध्यान, संतुलन और स्थिरता में सहायक है।
More mudras
Frequently asked questions
What is Bhairava mudra?
Bhairava mudra is a meditation hand position: the right hand rests in the left, both palms up, in the lap. It is named after Bhairava, the fierce form of Shiva.
What are the main Bhairava mudra benefits?
Traditionally it supports meditation, stillness and balance between the two sides of the body. There are no clinical studies on it; the slow breathing and quiet sitting are what help.
What is the difference between Bhairava and Bhairavi mudra?
Only the hand on top changes. Right hand on top is Bhairava; left hand on top is Bhairavi.
What is the difference between Bhairava mudra and Dhyana mudra?
The hands rest the same way, but in Dhyana mudra the thumb tips touch to form an oval. In Bhairava mudra the thumbs stay relaxed.
How long should I hold Bhairava mudra?
It suits long sits: 10–30 minutes of meditation or pranayama.
Does Bhairava mudra help hair growth?
There is no evidence for this. For hair fall, see a doctor or dermatologist to check for causes such as low iron or thyroid problems.
Mudras are a traditional practice for focus and relaxation. Research on specific health effects is limited; use them alongside, not instead of, medical care.