JNANA MUDRA

 Although the adaptation of grasping hand is a common primate feature as both monkeys and apes possess this quality, man is unique in the possession of the ability to oppose the thumb to his forefinger with all the other three fingers stretched out. In Indian Vedāntic and spiritual       circles   this gesture       is of deep significance. The thumb when opposed to the index finger with other fingers outstretched is a representation of yogic ‘knowledge pose’ (jñāna mudra) which is a remarkable sign of some profound psychic expression. As the mind is so is the body, hence our body postures have psychological counter parts. This one ability of human being is indicative of the uniqueness of human species as it expresses the level of development of the human brain as a rational thinking instrument, capable of acquiring a plethora of knowledge and skills. This human ‘knowledge pose’ represents the ability to search for immense, insatiable, knowledge. Scientifically, it has been discovered that the number of brain cells needed to manipulate these two fingers involved in ‘knowledge pose’ is the largest compared to those involved in manipulating all other fingers. “This ability to oppose the thumb to the forefinger is highly symbolic of human search for knowledge from the most ordinary to the most extraordinary levels.” (Swami  Ranganāthānanda, The Charm and Power of the Gita, page 52). At the level of human evolution this adaptation was the beginning of humanity’s technological progress, cultural evolution and spiritual emancipation. It is interesting to note that in all the iconography of India, of great saints, sages and incarnations and of the divine mother the particular pose of jnana mudra is depicted.