खेचरी मुद्रा

Khecarī Mudrā

The gesture of one who moves through space

Sources: Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā 3.32-53 · Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā 3.25-28 · Śiva Saṃhitā 4.31-37

Meaning

Kha (ख) means “space”, “ether” or “void”. Carī (चरी) means “one who moves” or “one who wanders”. Khecarī is “one who moves through space” or “one who flies through the inner sky”. This mudrā receives more attention in the Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā than any other, occupying more than 20 verses.

The HYP considers it the king of mudrās, capable of granting the highest powers, including immortality and access to amṛta (the nectar of immortality).

Technique

The Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā describes two versions of Khecarī:

Complete version (traditional)

This version involves a gradual process of cutting the lingual frenulum and stretching the tongue until it can be inserted into the nasopharyngeal cavity. It is a procedure requiring years and direct guidance from a qualified master.

The HYP describes:

  1. Gradually cutting the frenulum with a fine instrument
  2. Applying healing substances (salt, turmeric)
  3. Stretching the tongue daily (“milking it” like a cow)
  4. When the tongue reaches the eyebrow center externally, it is ready
  5. Then it is inserted upward and backward into the posterior cavity

Important note: This surgical practice is not recommended without direct traditional supervision and carries significant risks.

Simple version (Nābho Mudrā)

An accessible version that captures the energetic essence:

  1. Sit in a meditative posture
  2. Close the mouth
  3. Fold the tongue backward, touching the soft palate
  4. Press the tongue as far back as possible, toward the uvula
  5. Maintain normal breathing or apply gentle kumbhaka
  6. Direct attention to the space between the eyebrows (bhrumadhya)
  7. Maintain during meditation

This version is known as Nābho Mudrā (sky gesture) and provides similar benefits at a more subtle level.

Effects

Physical level

  • Stimulates the salivary glands
  • Activates the nerve endings of the palate
  • Influences the hypothalamus and pituitary (in the complete version)
  • Calms the nervous system

Energetic level

  • Seals prāṇa in the skull
  • Connects viśuddhi chakra with ājñā chakra
  • Accesses the bindu or soma chakra (nectar center)
  • Stops the dripping of amṛta toward the digestive fire
  • Prepares for higher states of samādhi

The concept of Amṛta

The texts describe that in the upper part of the skull (the bindu or soma chakra) a nectar (amṛta) is produced that normally drips downward and is consumed by the digestive fire (jāṭhara agni). This causes aging and death.

Khecarī Mudrā seals this nectar, preventing it from falling, or collects it directly with the tongue (in the complete version). This grants:

  • Extreme longevity
  • Freedom from hunger and thirst
  • States of expanded consciousness
  • Eventually, immortality

In the classical texts

“One who knows Khecarī Mudrā is not afflicted by disease, is not stained by karma, is not bound by time.” — Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā 3.39

“Wherever the yogi may be, whatever he may do, if he practices Khecarī he is protected from all illness.” — Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā 3.40

“The mind moves in Kha (space/Brahman), and the tongue also moves in Kha (the posterior cavity). Therefore the sages call it Khecarī, which grants siddhis to yogis.” — Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā 3.41

“The bindu is the root of the body. In it reside all the nāḍīs. If the bindu is preserved, where is the fear of death?” — Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā 3.43

“The yogi who, even while having relations, practices Khecarī Mudrā, does not lose his bindu. As long as the bindu remains in the body, how can there be fear of death?” — Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā 3.44

Integration in practice

Khecarī (in its accessible version) can be integrated into:

  • Meditation: maintaining the tongue on the palate throughout the session
  • Prāṇāyāma: especially during kumbhaka
  • Āsana: as a complement in inverted postures
  • Daily life: as a continuous subtle practice

The Aṣṭāṅga Vinyāsa Yoga tradition teaches maintaining a gentle version of Khecarī throughout āsana practice.

Precautions

  • Do not cut the frenulum without direct traditional guidance
  • The simple version is safe for most people
  • If there is excessive tension in the jaw or tongue, relax
  • Do not force the tongue beyond its natural range

The complete version of Khecarī is one of the most controversial practices of classical Haṭha Yoga. The texts describe it as reserved for the most advanced practitioners with direct guidance from a realized guru. The simple version (Nābho Mudrā) is appropriate for modern practitioners and provides significant benefits without risks.