Anjalimudra, Añjalimudrā, Anjali-mudra: 3 definitions

Introduction:

Anjalimudra means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

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In Hinduism

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Google Books: The Book of Hindu Imagery: Gods, Manifestations and Their Meaning

Anjali(-mudra)—The hands are loosely held together with the palms together and the fingers stretched up. If they are held in this position in front of the chest, this denotes worship. If they are held in front of the forehead, the gesture can also be a greeting (Namaskara).

Source: Shodhganga: Vaisnava Agamas And Visnu Images

Añjalimudrā (अञ्जलिमुद्रा) or simply Añjali refers to one of the various hand-poses (hastas or mudrās) defined in treatises such as the Pāñcarātra, Pādmasaṃhitā and Vaikhānasa-āgamas, extensively dealing with the technical features of temple art, iconography and architecture in Vaishnavism.—Añjalimudrā signifies salutation and adoration. In this saṃyuta hand-pose the open hands are placed side-by-side and slightly hollowed with the hands are clasped together with the palms touching together. Añjalimudrā held close to the chest is called hṛdaya-añjali.

Shilpashastra book cover
context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

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Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

[«previous next»] — Anjalimudra in Pancaratra glossary
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

1) Añjalimudrā (अञ्जलिमुद्रा) is the name of a Ritual Hand-gesture (mudrā), discussed in the twenty-fourth chapter of the Īśvarasaṃhitā (printed edition), a Pāñcarātra work in 8200 verses and 24 chapters dealing with topics such as routines of temple worship, major and minor festivals, temple-building and initiation.—Description of the chapter [mudrā-lakṣaṇa-bhagavaddhyāna-ādi-prakāra]: Nārada tells how one prepares himself for the practice of mudrā-gestures—washing the hands with sandal-paste, doing certain exercises with the fingers, ritually touching the chest with the thumbs and forefingers of both hands, executing certain motions with the palms joined, etc. (3-11). Different mudrā-gestures are named and described (12-72): [e.g., añjalimudrā (41b)] [...]

2) Añjalimudrā (अञ्जलिमुद्रा) refers to one of the fifty-three Mudrās (ritual hand gestures) described in chapter 22 (Caryāpāda) of the Padmasaṃhitā: the most widely followed of Saṃhitā covering the entire range of concerns of Pāñcarātra doctrine and practice (i.e., the four-fold formulation of subject matter—jñāna, yoga, kriyā and caryā) consisting of roughly 9000 verses.—Description of the chapter [mudrālakṣaṇa-vidhi]: Brahmā asks the meaning, uses and varieties of mudrā-gestures. Bhagavān says these finger movements are ways to fend off evil and to prevent those taking pleasure in harming others. Furthermore, they please the Lord-so long as they are demonstrated in private (1-5a). He then names and describes 53 mudrā-gestures: [e.g., añjalimudrā (56a)] [...]

3) Añjalimudrā (अञ्जलिमुद्रा) is the name of a Mudrā mentioned in chapter 4 of the Viṣṇutilakasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising 3500 Sanskrit verses covering the typically “agamic” subjects which are being narrated by Brahmā to a number of sages.—Description of the chapter [yoga-adhyāya]: [...] The namatraya-mantra (Acyuta, Ananta and Govinda) is then mentioned, as is the agniprākāra-mantra. This is followed by brief descriptions of mudrās [e.g., añjali-mudrā]—which “please” Him (649-680).

4) Añjalimudrā (दीपमुद्रा) is the name of a Mudrā (“gesture”) mentioned in chapter 19 of the Viṣvaksenasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising 2800 Sanskrit verses dealing with theological matters, image-worship, iconography (relating to pratimā-icons) and the construction of temples.—[Cf. the chapter aṅga-nyāsa-ādi-lakṣaṇa]: Viṣvaksena here says that prior to worship an Ācārya must undertake for the good of his Sādhaka-aspirants certain nyāsa-concentrations and mudrā-gestures [e.g., Añjalimudrā]. [...] When these are used prior to worship they bring beneficial results (22-29).

5) Añjalimudrā (अञ्जलिमुद्रा) refers to one of the 37 Mudrās (hand-gestures) described in chapter 7 of the Viṣṇusaṃhitā: a Sanskrit text written in 2600 verses which covers typical Pāñcarātra topics through a narrative dialogue between Aupagāyana and Siddha Sumati.—[Cf. the chapter mudrā-lakṣaṇa].

Pancaratra book cover
context information

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

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