Mudras of India:

A Comprehensive Guide to the Hand Gestures of Yoga and Indian DancE

Bibliography: Annotated book list

• Akers, Brian Dana, trans. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Woodstock, NY: Yoga Vidya, 2002.
  One of the classic manuals on Hatha Yoga. This edition of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika contains the original Sanskrit, a new English translation, and full-page photographs of all the asanas.

• Apparao, P.S.R., trans. Abhinaya Darpanam of Nandikeswara. Hyderabad, India: Natyamala Publications, 1997.
  A treatise written in the third or fourth century CE by Nandikeshvara. This text’s main focus is the techniques of communication in dance and is widely followed by teachers of South Indian dance forms.

• Avalon, Arthur. The Serpent Power: The Secrets of Tantric and Shaktic Yoga. Madras, India: Dover Publications, 1974.
  Essential reading for all those interested in the topic of Kundalini awakening, Kundalini Yoga, and the path of authentic tantric yoga.

• Bansal, Vijay K. Good Health Without Medicines. Gaziabad, India: Vijay K. Bansal, 2008.
  This book is a rare find! A wonderful resource on natural healing methods, including diet, herbs, and mudras. (Link: http://mudravigyan.com/Index.html)

• Bharatamuni, trans. by a board of scholars. The Natya Shastra. Delhi, India: Sri Satguru Publications, 1986–2003.
  Ascribed to Bharata Muni, and considered the original available treatise on the arts of music, dance, and theatre. It is generally agreed upon to have been written between 200 BCE and 200 CE.

• Bose, Mandakranta. The Dance Vocabulary of Classical India. Delhi, India: Sri Satguru Publications, 1995.
  A great resource for getting acquainted with the vocabulary of all the main classical dances of India.

• Bunce, Fredrick W. Mudras in Buddhist and Hindu Practices: An Iconographical Consideration. New Delhi, India: D.K. Printworld, 2001.
  One of the most thorough scholarly guides to understanding the iconography of hand mudras in India as well as Central and Southeast Asia.

• Byrom, Thomas, trans. The Heart of Awareness: A Translation of the Ashtavakra Gita. Boston, MA: Shambhala Publications, 1990. One of Ramana Mharishi’s favorite books. A lucid portrayal of the essence of Advaita Vedanta; a real gem for anyone interested in direct realization of non-dual Reality.

• Coomaraswamy, Ananda and Duggirala, Gopala Kristnayya, trans. The Mirror of Gesture. London: Humphrey Milford, 1917.
  This is a translation and commentary of the Abhinaya Drapana – a treatise written in third or fourth century CE by Nandikeshvara. This text’s main focus is the techniques of communication in dance, and is widely followed by South Indian dance forms.

• Dallapiccola, Anna L. Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend. London: Thames & Hudson, 2002.
  This dictionary provides an unrivaled insight to all aspects of Hinduism with illustrated entries that elucidate the history of Hinduism, its mythology, art, architecture, religion, laws, and folklore. This volume will serve as a lively and essential guide for those interested in the subcontinent and its rich culture.

• Devi, Nischala Joy. The Healing Path of Yoga. New York, NY: Three Rivers Press, 2000.
  A warm and compassionate approach to healing through the proper use of yogic practices. Highly recommended!

• Dor-je, Wan-ch’ug. The Mahamudra: Eliminating the Darkness of Ignorance. New Delhi, India: Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, 1978.
  Mahamudra is the heart of the highest practice in the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. This book clearly describes the systematic process of spiritual development leading to Mahamudra. Of interest to meditators, dzogchen practitioners, and spiritual seekrs.

• Feuerstein, Georg. The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice. Prescott, AZ: Hohm Press, 2001.
  If you are interested in the history and heritage of yoga, this book is essential reading. Perhaps the most in-depth book currently available on yoga’s rich roots. Georg was scholar par elegance, and his work lives on as a great contribution to the yoga community.

• Feuerstein, Georg. The Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga. Boston, MA: Shambhala Publications, 1997.
  A to Z entries covering all the most essential words and topics regarding yoga. Again, anything Georg writes about yoga is indispensable for the serious student wanting to understand this rich tradition.

• Gharote, M.L. and Devnath, Parimal, eds. Hathapradipika of Svatmarama. Bhangarwadi, India: Lonavla Yoga Institute, 2001.
  An elaborate translation with rich commentary of one of the most important classical texts on the practice of Hatha Yoga.

• Ghosh, Manomohan. Nandikesvara Abhinayadarpanam. Calcutta, India: Manisha, 2006.
  A treatise written in third or fourth century CE by Nandikeshvara. This text’s main focus is the techniques of communication in dance, and is widely followed by South Indian dance forms.

• Govindarajan, Hema. The Nrtyavinoda of Manasollasa, a Study. New Delhi, India: Harman Publishing House, 2001.
  The Manasollasa is a twelfth century encyclopedia ascribed to the Kalyana Calukyan monarch Somesvara III. One chapter, the Nrtyavinoda is devoted to the study of the art of dance, which is considered as a part of the study of royal pastimes. The Nrtyavinoda of the Manasollasa consists of over four hundred verses, which deal with the Angika Abhinaya aspect of dance.

• Hirschi, Gertrud. Mudras: Yoga in Your Hands. York Beach, ME: Samuel Weiser, 2000.
  A wonderful book. The topic of hand mudras is warmly presented and easy digest.

• Iyengar, B.K.S. Light on Yoga. New York: Stockton Books, 1979.
  The modern “bible” on the practice of yoga asana. If you practice yoga postures and you want only one book to carry as your guide, this is it!

• Jansen, Eva Rudy. The Book of Hindu Imagery. New Delhi, India: New Age Books, 2005.
  This book offers an extensive compilation of important deities and their divine manifestations, introducing  the significance of the Hindu pantheon as part of Hindu culture and tradition.

• Keshav Dev, Acharya. Mudras for Healing. New Delhi, India: Aacharya Shri Enterprises, 1995.
  Indian spiritual teacher, Acharya Keshav Dev, shares knowledge of the Yoga Tattva Mudra Vignan system of health and healing using traditional hand mudras.

• Keshav Dev, Acharya. Healing Hands: Science of Yoga Mudras. New Delhi, India: Aacharya Shri Enterprises, 2008.
  Indian spiritual teacher, Acharya Keshav Dev, shares knowledge of the Yoga Tattva Mudra Vignan system of health and healing using hand mudras as well as other yogic healing methods such as mantra, asana, etc.

• Londhe, Veena and Agneswaran, Malati. Hand Book of Indian Classical Dance Terminology. Bombay, India: Nalanda Dance Research Centre, 1992.
  This book is an invaluable mini-guide for students and lovers of Classical Indian dances. It deals with the Sanskrit terminology for dance as well as the terminology in regional languages for all the 7 classical dance styles – Bharata Natyam, Mohini Attam, Kathak, Kathakali, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri.

• Mallinson, James, trans. The Shiva Samhita. Woodstock, NY: Yoga Vidya, 2007.
  One of the key text on the practice of classical Hatha Yoga. This easy to follow translation,  illuminates the inner practices of mudra, bandha, and kriya and establishes the principle of working with prana as the fundamental intent of yogic technology.

• Mallinson, James, trans. The Gheranda Samhita. Woodstock, NY: Yoga Vidya, 2004
  The Gheranda Samhita (circ 1700 CE) , one of the three most important classical texts on the practice of tantric Hatha Yoga (along with the Shiva Samhita and Hatha Yoga Prdipika). The text covers the topics of purification (shat karma), asana (posture), This version includes the Sanskrit Devanagari script paired with clear and concise English verses, as well as modern images of many of the poses and techniques used in traditional Hatha Yoga.

• Menen, Rajendar. The Healing Power of Mudras. Delhi, India: Pustak Mahal, 2009.
  A short and simple book covering some of the most common hand mudras and their uses.

• Mohapatra, Maheswar. Abhinaya Chandrika, trans. by Pattnaik, Dhirendra Nath. Cuttack, Orissa, India: Kala Vikash Kendra Trust Board, 1999.
  A regional treatise on dance written by Maheshvara Mohapatra circa 1670 ce. It includes a detailed description of the various movements of the feet and hands, as well as the postures and movements unique to the region of modern-day Orissa (Odisha).

• Mookerjee, Ajit. Kali: The Feminine Force. London: Thames & Hudson, 1998.
  A poignant and accessible journey to the heart of the Divine Feminine Principle, and  the under-appreciated rich heritage of Shakti worship. Stories, legends, poetry and wonderful imagery present the many faces of Kali.

• Mookerjee, Ajit. Kundalini: The Arousal of Inner Energy. London: Thames & Hudson, 1982.
  A wonderful introduction to the theory of Kundalini including beautiful iconography, excerpts from key tantric texts, and clear commentary by the author.

• Mohan, A.G., trans. Yoga-Yajnavalkya. Madras, India: Ganesh & Co., 2000.
  A classical treatise on yoga that takes the form of a dialogue between Yajnavalkya and his wife Gargi, an esteemed philosopher. The text consists of 12 chapters that explain the principles and practice of yoga as a practical the path to freedom. Unique among Vedic texts, this text demonstrates that Vedic culture provided women with equal opportunities and encouragement for their spiritual pursuits to attain freedom. Includes a comprehensive discussion of pranayama as a therapeutic tool and its role in Ayurvedic medicine.

• Muktibodhananda, Swami, trans. Hatha Yoga Pradipika: Light on Hatha Yoga. Bihar, India: Bihar School of Yoga, 1993.
  The translation and commentary in by Swami Satyananda and Swami Muktibodhananda make this version of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika uniquely accessible for anyone yearning to understand the inner principles and practices of traditional Hatha Yoga.

• Muni, Swami Rajarshi. Yoga: The Ultimate Spiritual Path. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 2001.
  A lucid and direct transmission of the inner secrets of the yoga tradition by a true sadhaka (practitioner). Essential reading if you are serious about taking the practice of yoga to it’s final fruition.

• Neog, Maheswar. Srihastamuktavali. New Delhi, India: Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, 1991.
  This medieval text is significant for its detailed treatment of the hastas or mudras (hand gestures). While there is ambiguity with regard to its origins, the text has been found in Maithili and in Assamese transcripts. It throws light on the language of the hand gestures which may have been followed in the eastern regions of India.

• Nivedita, Sister and Coomaraswamy, Ananda. Myths and Legends of the Hindus and Buddhists. Kolkata, India: Advaita Ashrama, 2001.
  This book delves into the magical world of some of the most common stories of Hindu and Buddhist mythologies.

• Odissi Research Centre. Odissi Dance Path Finder Vol. I and II. Bhubaneswar, India: Smt. Kum Kum Mohanty, 1998.
  Fundamental principles of Odissi Dance; an excellent resource for the beginner and advanced Odissi student.

• Raut, Madhumita. Odissi What, Why and How: Evolution, Revival and Technique. Delhi, India: BR Rhythms Publication, 2007. Provides a clear and concise description of the fundamental technique of Odissi Dance.

• Saraswati, Swami Satyananda. Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha. Bihar, India: Yoga Publications Trust, 1996.

• Satchidananda, Swami. Integral Yoga Hatha. New York, NY: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1970.

• Singh, Jaideva, trans. Pratyabhijnahrdayam: The Secret of Self-Recognition. Delhi, India: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, 2011.

• Singh, Jaideva, trans. Siva Sutras: The Yoga of Supreme Identity. Delhi, India: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, 2008.

• Singh, Jaideva, trans. Spanda-Karikas: The Divine Creative Pulsation. Delhi, India: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, 2007.

• Trungpa, Chogyam. Mudra: Early Poems and Songs. Boston, MA: Shambhala, 1972.

• Vatsyayan, Kapila. Indian Classical Dance. New Delhi, India: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Government of India, 1974.
  A fantastic and fascinating introduction to the art of Classical Indian Dance and its spiritual and philosophical grounds.

• Werner, Karel. A Popular Dictionary of Hinduism. Chicago, IL: NTC Publishing Group, 1997.
  A multi-purpose reference work, an indispensable companion for anybody who comes into touch with Hinduism. Includes a dictionary of Sanskrit and vernacular terms; a glossary of terms and concepts; and a survey of the historical development of Hinduism.

• Williams, Emily Fuller. Mudras: Ancient Gestures to Ease Modern Stress. Seattle, WA: Parenting Press, 2011.

• Wu, Zhongxian. Vital Breath of the Dao: Chinese Shamanic Tiger Qigong. St. Paul, MN: Dragon Door Publications, 2006.

• Zimmer, Heinrich. Myths and Symbols in Indian Art and Civilization. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1992.
  This book interprets for the Western mind the key motifs of India’s legend, myth, and folklore, taken directly from the Sanskrit, and illustrated with seventy plates of Indian art. It is primarily an introduction to image-thinking and picture-reading in Indian art and thought, and it seeks to make the profound Hindu and Buddhist intuitions of the riddles of life and death recognizable not merely as Oriental but as universal elements.

Mudras Resources
to Support Your Study and Practice