Texts / Śivasaṃhitā / Verse 4.31

Śivasaṃhitā 4.31

Caturthaḥ paṭalaḥ — Mudrā

Sanskrit text

शिवसंहिता अनेन विधिना योगी मन्दभाग्योऽपि सिध्यति ।

Transliteration

śivasaṃhitā anena vidhinā yogī mandabhāgyo'pi sidhyati |

Translation

The wise Yogi, sitting in vajrasana posture, in a place free from all disturbance, should firmly fix his gaze on the spot in the middle of the two eyebrows; and reversing the tongue backwards, fix it in the hollow under the epi-glottis, placing it with great care on the mouth of the well of nectar, (i.e. closing up the air passage). This mudra, described by me at the request of my devotees, is the Khecharimudra.

Commentary

This posture requires deep concentration and precise bodily alignment to activate the higher energy centers. The fixation of the gaze at the point between the eyebrows, known as the third eye, is fundamental for directing energy toward elevated states of consciousness. The inversion of the tongue and its placement in the epiglottis symbolizes control over vital impulses and transcendence of physical limitations.

The term Khecharimudra combines ‘khe’ (space or sky), ‘chara’ (movement), and ‘mudra’ (gesture or seal), suggesting a gesture that enables movement in the subtle space. This practice is designed to awaken latent energy and facilitate the experience of expanded states of consciousness, allowing the practitioner to transcend ordinary limitations of body and mind.

Historically, this mudra has been considered one of the most advanced practices in hatha yoga, requiring years of preparation and discipline. Classical texts describe it as a technique that not only transforms the physical experience but also opens the door to subtle realities, allowing the yogi to experience states of consciousness that transcend the ordinary material plane.