GĀYATRĪ YANTRA.

has by the appropriate mantra been invoked into the yantra, the vital airs (prāṇ a) of the Devatā are infused therein by the prāṇ ā-pratiṣ ṭ hā ceremony, mantra, and mudrā. The Devatā is thereby installed in the yantra, which is no longer mere gross matter veiling the spirit which has been always there, but instinct with its aroused presence, which the sādhaka first welcomes and then worships. Mantra in itself is Devatā and yantra is mantra in that it is the body of the Devatā who is mantra. MUDRĀ The term mudra is derived from the root mud, “to please," and in its upāsana form is so called because it ̣ gives pleasure to the Devas. Devānām moda-dā mudra ̣ tasmāt tam yatnataścaret. It is said that there are 108, of which 55 are commonly used. The term means ritual gestures made with the hands in worship or positions of the body in yoga practice. Thus of the first class the matsya-(fish) mudrā is formed in offering arghya by placing the right hand on the back of the left and extending, fish-like, on each side the two thumbs with the object that the conch which contains water may be regarded as an ocean with aquatic animals; and the yoni-mudra which presents that organ as a triangle formed by the thumbs, the two first fingers, and the two little fingers is shown with the object of invoking the Devi to come and take Her place before the worshipper, the yoni being considered to be Her pīthā or yantra. The upāsana mudra is thus nothing but the outward expression of inner resolve which it at the same time intensifies. Mudras are employed in worship (arcana), japa, dhyānā (q.v.), kamya-karma (rites done to effect particular objects), pratiṣ ṭ hā (q.v.) snāna (bathing), āvāhana (welcoming), naivedya (offering of food), and visarjana, or dismissal of the Devatā. Some mudras of hatha yoga ̣ are described sub uoc. “Yoga.” The Gheraṇ ḍ a-samhitā says that knowledge of the yoga mudrās grants all siddhis, and that their performance produces physical benefits such as stability, firmness, and cure of disease.