Bijamudra, Bija-mudra, Bījamudrā: 3 definitions

Introduction:

Bijamudra 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.

In Hinduism

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Bijamudra in Shaivism glossary
Source: Scribd: Roots of Yoga (shaivism)

Bījamudrā (बीजमुद्रा, “seed seal”) is the name of a mudrā (“hand-gesture”) specified in the Niśvāsatattvasaṃhitā (uttarasūtra 4.10a-23b). The Niśvāsatattvasaṃhitā is probably the earliest surviving Śaiva Tantra, the contents of which dating back to the 5th century. It consists of five books: Niśvāsamukha, Mūlasūtra, Uttarasūtra, Nayasūtra and Guhyasūtra.

Accordingly, “Then tie up the braided hair, join and extend the little fingers of both hands and conceal the thumbs in the middle. This is taught in this tantra under the name bīja-mudrā (‘seed-seal’)”.

Shaivism book cover
context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

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Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Bijamudra in Shaktism glossary
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (shaktism)

Bījamudrā (बीजमुद्रा) or simply Bīja refers to one of the ten gestures (daśamudrā or mudrā-daśaka) of the Goddess Nityā Sundarī, according to the Kāmasiddhi-stuti (also Vāmakeśvarī-stuti) and the Vāmakeśvaratantra (also known as Nityāṣoḍaśikārṇava).—[...] Although the Vāmakeśvaratantra does not assign a place for the gestures (mudrā) in the maṇḍala, it does describe them and asks the worshipper to use them during the worship. As found in the third chapter of the Vāmakeśvaratantra, these ten gestures are [e.g., bījamudrā, ...]

Shaktism book cover
context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

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Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

Bījamudrā (बीजमुद्रा) refers to one of the 81 Mudrās (hand-gestures) described in chapter 2 of the Ṛṣirātra section of the Sanatkumārasaṃhitā: an encyclopedic Sanskrit text written in over 3500 verses dealing with a variety of topics such as yoga, temple-building, consecration ceremonies, initiation and dhanurveda (martial arts).—[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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