Shambhavi Mudra & Mahamudra Kriya: Steps, Benefits & More

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Ashish

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Most meditation techniques that you practice are done with closed eyes. You are told to sit in a comfortable posture, place hands on knees or thighs, close eyes, and bring awareness to breathing and thoughts. Some guided meditations also ask you to chant a seed mantra to enhance your focus.

Amongst these techniques, it will be interesting to know that meditation can also be performed with open eyes and are equally beneficial as traditional meditation.

Shambhavi Mudra is one such unique meditation technique where you are focusing your eyes on the middle of your eyebrows for a sustained time.

It may seem simple, however, it is one of those ways which can take you to the higher transcendental planes if done in the correct way.

Here, In this article, shambhavi mudra has explained: what does it mean, how to do it and the benefits you can reap.

What is Shambhavi Mudra?​


Shambhavi Mudra is also called eyebrow centre gazing technique. It’s a mana mudra (a type of mudra in which comprises the head or its organ) in which the eye is used as a tool to cultivate a deep state of concentration for meditation.

In this mudra, you inwardly focus at the center of your eyebrows while keeping your eyes half-closed. Roll your eyes up and back towards the eyebrows’ centre. Now you must keep sight steady in a way that you may appear to see everything, while in reality, you see nothing outside, below or above.

It’s a highly regarded practice in Tantra for awakening the power of the third eye, also known as Ajna Chakra is yoga. It is described in many Yogic and tantric texts such as Gheranda Samhita (chapter 3), Hatha Yoga Pradipika (chapter 4), Shiva Samhita, and Amnaska Yoga.

The meaning of Shambhavi​


Why is Shambhavi Mudra called so, there is no concrete evidence for it, but there are certainly some theories around it. One such popular mythology is in Shiva Samhita where Hindu god Shiva addresses yogic practices to his consort Parvati.

Shambhavi in Sanskrit means “Lord Shiv’s Beloved”. She is the wife of Lord Shiva who is also known as Shambhu and Adi Yogi. He taught the technique of this mudra to his wife and thus the mudra came to know by her name, ‘Shambhavi Mudra’.

Another theory suggests that shambhavi mudra is related to how the Kundalini Shakti works. When you practice this mudra, you actually stimulate the Kundalini that lies in the Muladhara or Root Chakra.

As this shakti rises, it follows the path through all nadis and chakras in the spine and ultimately reaches the Ajna Chakra. The Ajna Chakra is also the same location where you are focusing your gaze, in between the eyebrows.

The Kundalini Shakti helps you unite with the energy of Lord Shiva or Shambhu, thus the name Shambhavi Mudra.

It is interesting to note that this technique has been named “mudra”. While Shambhavi Mudra’s techniques involve a lot of meditative aspects, the mid–eyebrow gazing gesture helps redirect and “seal” the energy. This energy helps in connecting you to your inner self, makes you self-aware, and also connects you to higher realms.

Preparing eye muscles​


Before you start doing shambhavi mudra, you should first train your eye muscles to stay focused at a focal point for a long duration. Trataka (Candle Flame Gazing) and Agochari Mudra (Nose Tip Gazing) are two extremely effective techniques for this.

For Trataka, you need to sit in a comfortable pose and place a lit candle at a distance. The distance should be such that you do not need to bend your head forward or backwards. The candle flame should be at eye level. During candle gazing, your spine should be straight and gaze fixed at the point where the flame originates.

Your focus should be unwavering and to the point where you start feeling tears form in your eyes.

In Agochari Mudra, you should sit in a relaxed pose, place your index finger at the tip of the nose and fix your gaze at the tip. When your eyes have become accustomed to this placement, slowly start moving your finger towards the middle of the eyebrows.

Keep your eyes fixed throughout the movement. Stop when the fingertip is out of sight and your eyes have substantially moved up to focus on in between the eyebrows. Practice any one of these methods regularly and when you feel that your eyes can automatically find the point of gaze between the brows, you can start practising the Shambhavi Mudra.

How to Do Shambhavi Mudra?​

shambhavi mudra

Buddha concentrating on third-eye. Source: canva

To perform this mudra, sit comfortably in a meditative pose, preferably Padmasana, Siddhasana or Sukhasana. Adopt Gyan mudra with both hands. Slightly upturn your head so the natural focus of eyes goes to the eyebrows centre. This will be your position for the entire duration of the shambhavi mudra.

Now gently without moving the head, half-close your eyes and roll your eyeball up and towards the brow center. The easy way to identify the center is to focus on V-shape juncture made by eyes and brows center. If you are able to locate this shape, that means you are gazing in the right direction. If the V- formation is not seen, the gaze is not directed correctly.

Hold your gaze at the center of the brows for as long as you can. At first, it will be difficult and you may start feeling a strain in your eyes. In such a situation, bring your eyes to the normal position, close your eyes to relax them for a few seconds, and then resume the practice. With practice, gazing becomes involuntary.

For better concentration, you can chant OM and focus on its echoing sound within you.

Throughout this practice, your breathing should be stable and your head should not move.

When your eyes start to feel tired or watery, bring your eyes to the normal position, close them and clasp with the palms. When relaxed, resume your practice. Practice at least 10 rounds of Shmabhavi Mudra. In each round, try to hold the gaze without straining for 2 minutes at least. This whole session can take 15 to 20 minutes for beginners. It can be practiced two times a day.

Variation​


After mastering the basic shambhavi mudra technique, eye movements are coordinated with the breath.

  • Inhale slowly while raising the gaze. Direct your awareness up at Ajna Chakra with eyes upward movement.
  • Hold your breath while maintaining your upward gaze.
  • Exhale slowly as the gaze is lowered.

Advanced practitioners can perform this mudra with closed eyes. It is difficult to access the position of your gaze when your eyes are closed however with regular practice, your eyes will automatically be directed to the correct position even when they are closed.

Shambhavi Mudra Benefits​


A seeker may experience the following benefits of practicing Shambhavi Mudra either instantly or in the long run.

1. Strengthens and Detoxifies the Eye​


When eyes gaze fixed at the eyebrow center properly, it can help in strengthening weak eye muscles. Shambhavi mudra may help in problems like Ptosis (drooping of one or both eyelids) and Double vision (diplopia).

On practising this mudra, you experience watery eyes as your practice progresses. It’s a sign of detoxification. This mudra is a purifying exercise that eliminates toxins.

2. Works on the subconscious mind​


From a scientific point of view, Shambhavi mudra activates the pineal gland which secretes the serotonin hormone to keep us calm and regulates our subconscious mind. Further, the subconscious mind is a powerhouse of energy and reduces the stimulation of the cortisol hormone when we get angry. This way, it activates energy, passion, and insight to direct one’s life.

3. Stimulation of Pineal and Pituitary Glands​


Gazing at the junction of the brows helps overcome the distance between the brain and the body, allowing for seamless and unrestricted communication between the two hormone-producing glands.

With consistent practice of this mudra, the various organs and systems will operate better, resulting in a healthy balance between them. The body remains stress-free, resulting in a healthy lifestyle.

4. Gateway to reaching Samadhi​


Shambhavi mudra leads to Samadhi, the highest stage of Yoga. By mastering this mudra, you can master the art of focus and concentration. From perfect concentration is followed by meditation which ultimately leads to Samadhi.

5. Activates the Ajna Chakra​


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