Prithvi Mudra: Unlocking the Benefits of Earth Element

Prithvi Mudra Benefits

Have you ever felt disconnected, scattered, or lacking stability in your life?

Prithvi Mudra, an ancient Yoga Mudra (Hand Gesture), might just be the remedy you need.

With its roots in traditional Indian culture, Prithvi Mudra is believed to harness the elemental energy of earth, providing grounding, stability, and nourishment to your mind, body, and soul.

Nowadays, the practice of yoga means asanas and breathing practices to many.

In this article, we will try to understand in depth about Prithvi Mudra or Earth Mudra, a subtler element of Yoga Vigyan (Yoga Science) along with its meaning and Prithvi Mudra Benefits.

What is Prithvi Mudra?

Prithvi Mudra, also known as the Earth Mudra, is a symbolic hand gesture that can be practised by joining the tips of the ring fingers with the tips of thumb. The ring finger denotes the Earth element, whereas the thumb represents the Fire element. The word “Prithvi” translates to “earth” in Sanskrit, and this mudra is said to activate the earth element within our bodies, connecting us to the grounding and stabilizing energies of the earth.

Prithvi Mudra Meaning

Prithvi Mudra is a Sanskrit word.

In Sanskrit, ‘Prithvi‘ means ‘Earth,’ and ‘Mudra,’ refers to ‘Gesture,’ ‘Seal,’ or ‘mark.’ 

So in English, Prithvi mudra is termed as the ‘Gesture of the Earth.’

Often Prithvi Mudra is practiced as a part of therapeutic yoga sequences in yoga practice or in Ayurveda to promote healing and mental stability within the body by balancing the disorder caused by the Prithvi Element and it is also practiced as a part of meditation.

For the preparation of this mudra, the thumb and ring fingers of both the hands are used.

Other names of Prithvi mudra

In Prithivi Mudra, Earth and Fire element plays a prominent role as Earth Mudra is formed by Thumb and Ring or Anamika finger, which is associated with Fire and Earth elements, respectively. 

According to Yoga Mudra Vigyan, in this mudra the action of Prithvi, i.e., Earth element is Dominant over the Agni, i.e., Fire element.

So by this nature of Mudra, it is also named Prithvi-Vardhak Mudra.

Prithvi-Vardhak is a Sanskrit word where ‘Prithvi‘ means ‘Earth‘ and ‘Vardhak‘ Means ‘Increasing.’

So Prithvi-Vardhak Mudra means Prithvi increasing Mudra or Earth increasing Mudra.

As Prithvi is dominant, which means Agni is Inferior.

So by this property of Earth Mudra, it is named Agni-Shamak Mudra.

It is also a Sanskrit word where ‘Shamak‘ signifies ‘Extinguisher,’ or ‘Reducer.’

Thus, Agni-Shamak Mudra means ‘Fire reducing Mudra.’

How to do Prithvi Mudra?

Performing Prithvi Mudra is simple and can be done at any time and in any place. Here’s a step-by-step guide to practicing Prithvi Mudra:

1. Sit comfortably in a cross-legged position or on a chair with your spine erect and shoulders relaxed.
2. Rest your hands on your thighs, with your palms facing upward.
3. Gently touch the tip of your thumb to the tip of your ring finger.
4. Keep the other three fingers extended and relaxed.
5. Maintain a soft and gentle pressure between the thumb and ring finger.

Well, Practising  Prithvi Mudra or Mudra of Earth is very easy, unlike other yoga mudras or asanas that require proper preparation, practice, and determination.

Though it is quite easy to perform but it is essential to know and learn the correct technique to perform any Yog Mudra.

Complementary medicine or Alternate Medicine is only effective after you have mastered the art of practicing the technique perfectly and precisely.

It is a pretty simple yogic hand gesture that is performed by the ring finger and thumb. Firstly, you have to bring the ring finger and the thumb closer.

Effect of Earth Mudra on Body

Prithvi mudra benefits the body in two ways, i.e., it works on the body as Prithvi-Vardhak (Earth Increasing) and similarly as Agni-Shamak (Fire Reducing).

Hence, the practice of this Mudra is useful to increase the earth element and decrease the fire element within the body.

We can perform this Mudra either to increase/ balance Prithvi (Earth) element or to reduce the Agni (fire) in the body.

Thus this Mudra helps to eradicate chronic weakness, general debility, convalescence, lack of stamina & Energy, Inexplicable weight-loss, and emaciation.

Prithvi-Vardhak effect of Mudra

Prithvi-vardhak mudra strengthens or increases the Prithvi (earth) element within the body.

The element earth is an essential ingredient of bodily tissues like bones, cartilage, nails, skin, hair,  muscles, flesh, internal organs, etc. and is also crucial for the Vitamins the body.

The practice of Prithvi-vardhak mudra builds and invigorates these tissues and maintains the Vitamins in the body as the earth is the mother source of all-natural Minerals and Vitamins.

The earth element is also connected with the nose (smell). Therefore, Prithvi-vardhak mudra can be practiced to overcome or to cure nasal dysfunctions.

Additionally, the earth element is also related to the bodily humor Kapha. The practice of Prithvi-vardhak mudra strengthens the Kapha humor in the body.

Agni-Shamak effect of this mudra

The element Agni (fire) is involved with body-temperature and metabolism. Thus Agni-Shamak Mudra reduces the fire. Therefore it can be used to soothe an overactive Agni and overcome ailments of Agni-excess like inflammation, anorexia, fever, etc.

The element fire is also responsible for bodily humor Pitta. Therefore, Agni-Shamak mudra is an excellent mudra for people with active Pitta nature.

When to do Prithvi Mudra?

After knowing how to do Prithvi Mudra, a question that appears in most of our minds is that when should we practice this Mudra so that we can gain maximum benefits out of it.

The best time to do any yoga practice, Pranayama and Yoga Mudra is in the early morning and evening. One thing we should remember that to gain maximum benefits from Prithvi Mudra or any Yog mudra, we must perform it on an empty stomach. So Early morning and evening is the ideal time to perform this Mudra.

But of course, practicing it is not restricted only in the morning and evening, we can practice it any time of the day while watching T.V., listening to music. Etc. But try to practice it on an empty stomach sitting in any meditative posture to gain maximum earth mudra benefits.

To gain more Spiritual as well as physical benefits, try to perform Mudra of the earth early in the morning between 4 A.M. to 6 A.M. while performing Meditation or chanting any Vedic Mantra.

How much time should I do Earth Mudra?

Try to practice this Mudra at least 10 min a day, in the morning before breakfast or in the evening before dinner. But Shastras and Yoga experts recommend practicing any yoga mudra for thirty to forty minutes. So try to practice Prithvi mudra for 30 minutes a day.

If you are unable to practice it for thirty to forty minutes, try to practice it for ten to fifteen minutes twice or thrice a day.

If you are not suffering from any significant health issue, it is enough to practice it for 10 minutes. But if you are facing any Prithvi-related health issues, then you have to practice it for the recommended time of 30 to 40 minutes to gain benefits as soon as possible.

Thus the more you spend time and practice, the faster you get the results and quicker your problem will be solved.

Prithvi Mudra Benefits

There are lots of benefits of practicing this fantastic yoga mudra. One of the core purposes of Earth mudra is to increase the content of vitality i.e., to improve the earth element in the body. 

Following are the Prithvi Mudra Benefits:

1. Promotes hair growth.
2. Helps in Weight gain.
3. Reduces Heat from the body.
4. Increases Energy and Endurance.
5. Boosts Spiritual Stability.
6. Helps to Balance Kapha Dosha

The ring finger used while performing Mudra of Earth is the symbol of the Earth element that takes care of the skin, hair, nails, muscles, tendons, internal organs, parts in the body.

Thus the earth element is the prime component for tissue growth. The Major benefit that we get from Prithvi mudra is the balancing of the earth element within the body. And the other benefits that we get are the result of the balanced earth element.

Now let’s see each benefit in more detail.

1. Prithvi Mudra for Hair Growth

No matter how healthy and lustrous your hair may be, hair fall will undoubtedly be a point of concern at some point in life. Sadly, hair loss and thinning are becoming one of the most common problems we as a generation face today.

Since ages, this Mudra is used along with Yoga for hair growth and to improve hair qualities.

Most of the hair problems are the result of the bad scalp. Thus Prithvi mudra helps to balance the Earth element. The Earth element is responsible for creating and nurturing the hair and hair follicle.

Hence practicing mudra of earth, in turn, enhances the quality of hair by strengthening them and making them thick and shiny. It will enhance the health of the scalp, which strengthens your hair follicles and, in turn, prevents hair fall or premature greying and regeneration of hair.

Along with this mudra, you can also practice Balayam Yoga or Nail Rubbing Exercise for Natural Hair Growth.

2. Prithvi Mudra for Weight Gain and Weight Loss

Prithvi Mudra can be useful for both weight loss as well as weight gain. But this Mudra is more beneficial for weight gain.

Generally, weight gain is due to an increase in muscle mass, fat deposits, excess fluids such as water, or due to disturbed body’s metabolism. Majority times, the increase in weight is due to the rise in muscle mass or due to metabolism. 

We know that Earth mudra is responsible for the nurturing and creation of body muscles and tendons, and it also helps to maintain the body’s metabolism.

Thus Mudra of earth plays a considerable role in controlling the weight of the body. It helps to maintain the body’s weight by regulating the body’s muscle weight as well as metabolism.

Hence higher the metabolism and lower the muscle weight, the higher will be the loss in weight. On the other hand, the lower the metabolism and higher the muscle weight, the lesser will be the loss of weight.

Also, you can hold Prithvi Mudra during Pranayama to lose weight. Therefore we can say Prithvi mudra is beneficial for Weight loss as well as weight gain.

Moreover, Prithvi mudra additionally helps in keeping a strong check on the digestion and also reduces cholesterol.

3. Earth Mudra for Heat and Ulcers

Mudra of Earth not only increases the earth element in the body, but it is also used to reduce the Agni fire element from the body.

As we know, the earth element is also known for its coolness; thus Agni-Shamak effect of this mudra is beneficial to reduce the excess heat from the body.

The regular practice of Prithvi Mudra helps to maintain the body’s temperature. This further reduces most of the problems caused by the heat. 

Hence Prithvi mudra is suitable to keep the ulcers in control. It is also helpful for those suffering from fever. Even Burning sensation in the eyes, stomach acidity, hands, or feet is pacified.

4. Prithvi Mudra Increases Energy and Endurance

Prithvi Mudra is associated with the Muladhara Chakra or the Root chakra. Practicing Earth mudra elevates the prana level upwards from root Muladhara. This part, we will see in the Spiritual benefits of Prithvi Mudra. 

Thus With the practice of Mudra of Earth, the energy level in the body is improved, which results in warding off dizziness, fatigue, and laziness. 

It helps in building endurance when the physical body gets energized. If an individual regularly practices this mudra, then he or she can help to improve the strength of the body and helps to keep the body stable.

Additionally, Earth Mudra helps to strengthen the self-confidence of the individual.

5. Spiritual benefits of Prithvi mudra

Prithvi mudra has a lot of spiritual benefits. Earth mudra is related to the earth element, which is associated with the Muladhara Chakra.

As Earth mudra balances the earth within which stimulates and energizes of Muladhara Chakra or Root chakra, which is the seat of Kundalini Energy.

Muladhara is considered the basis of the “Energy Body.”

Thus practicing this mudra increases the Prana flow upward quickly from the base of the spine, thereby stimulating the nerves and sustaining the right balance within the body.

The practice of Prithvi Mudra will ensure the stimulation and activation of this chakra, with the targeted activation of the Muladhara or root chakra, we are anchored and strengthened in our core trust.  

Hence, because of this, meditation becomes more comfortable, and also we can practice this mudra as part of meditation. 

After practicing earth mudra with meditation, we will feel relaxed and energized. Ultimately, this practice can help us in deepening the meditation practices by drawing ourselves inwards and slowly leading to a better spiritual experience.

6. Helps to balance Khapa dosha

Kapha forms in the body when Water and Earth elements meet.

Thus lower earth elements can cause a decrease or imbalance in the Kapha level in the body.

So practicing Earth mudra increases earth element in the body, which eventually helps to balance the Kapha in the body.

Kapha dosha helps in controlling muscle growth, weight, body strength and stability, and your immune system.

This mudra increases the Earth element in the body, which increases the immunity of the body, which fights various types of diseases.

Other Prithvi Mudra Benefits

1. Practicing Prithvi mudra for skin is also beneficial. The element Prithvi makes the skin-tight, smooth, and glowing. If you want smooth skin do visit Tips for Smooth Body.
2. Earth mudra helps to increase the vitamins and minerals in the body as the earth is the storehouse of these vital minerals and vitamins.
3. It helps to reduce all physical weakness.
4. It makes the body and mind more stable and concentrated.
5. Assists overactive thyroid/hypothyroidism as Prithvi mudra is beneficial for controlling the body weight. You can also try Ujjayi Pranayama along with this mudra to reduce thyroid-related problems.
6. It enhances emotions such as love, kindness, tolerance, and joy

Who Should Avoid Practising Mudra of Earth?

• Prithvi mudra can slightly increase body weight, so this mudra should be practiced by individuals who are overweight under the observation of yoga teachers or experts.
• Those who have an excess of Kapha in their bodies should avoid practicing this mudra as it can further increase Kapha in the body.
• People who have Asthma should try to avoid this mudra.

Prithvi Mudra Side Effects

Undoubtedly, touching your thumb and ring finger will not cause you any problems. Thus Prithvi Mudra has Zero Side Effects. Practicing Earth Mudra or any Yoga Mudra does not lead you to health problems or any disorder for sure.

Prithvi mudra is considered to be a very beneficial yoga mudra, but if performed in a wrong way, the Mudra does have a few side effects.

If not done correctly it is possible that you may hold a wrong mudra possibly Agni mudra or Surya Mudra, which has opposite effects from Earth Mudra. Surya Mudra or Agni mudra is similar to earth Mudra because in this Mudra also thumb and ring finger is used but in a different way.

So check the Image below before practicing Prithvi Mudra. Also, people having asthma and high Khapa should try to avoid doing this Mudra or should be done under the supervision of yoga Experts.

A Word of Caution

• Be careful while performing Mudra of earth, mistakenly you may hold different Mudra most probably Agni Mudra.
• Don’t forget to put very slight pressure between the fingers.
• If you have asthma or any breathing-related issue, then practice this Mudra carefully.
• Try to perform this Mudra on an empty stomach by sitting in any meditative posture.
• Keep your hand light don’t put any stress because that can lead to disturbance of energy while practicing.

Conclusion

Prithvi Mudra, the Earth Mudra, offers a simple yet profound way to cultivate grounding, stability, and vitality in our lives.

By harnessing the power of the earth element, this hand gesture supports our overall well-being on physical, mental, and energetic levels.

Whether you are a dedicated yogi or someone seeking a deeper sense of balance, Prithvi Mudra invites you to tap into the abundant energy of the earth and find your center amidst the chaos of everyday life.

Prithvi Mudra is one of the best Mudra. Don’t forget to practice this wonderful Mudra and get various health benefits. Also, share this article on Prithvi Mudra Benefits with your close ones and friends to gain the benefits of this fantastic yoga mudra.

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