Varun Mudra: How to Do It, Meaning, Benefits and Precautions

Varun mudra (also Varuna or Jal mudra) is a yoga hand gesture in which the tip of the little finger touches the tip of the thumb while the other fingers stay extended. Named after Varuna, the Vedic god of waters, it is traditionally linked with the water element and used to counter dryness, with a calm, steady breath during meditation.

It is easy to form and can be held seated, standing or even lying down. For the wider tradition of hand gestures, see what are mudras.

Varun mudra at a glance

Sanskrit	Varuṇa Mudrā (वरुण मुद्रा); also Jal or Jala mudra
Named after	Varuna, Vedic god of the waters and cosmic order
Fingers	Little finger tip to thumb tip; index, middle and ring fingers extended
Element	Water (jala), joined with fire (thumb)
Traditional focus	Moisture, fluidity, calm
Duration	10–15 minutes, up to three times a day
Opposite gesture	Jal Shamak mudra (little finger folded under the thumb)

Who is Varuna?

In the Rig Veda, Varuna is one of the most important gods: guardian of rita, the cosmic order, who sees all and binds wrongdoers with his noose. In later Hinduism he becomes the lord of oceans and waters and one of the dikpalas, guardians of the directions, presiding over the west. His mount is the makara, a sea creature. In the Bhagavad Gita (10.29) Krishna says, “Among aquatic beings I am Varuna.” The mudra borrows his name for its connection with water.

How to do Varun mudra step by step

1. Sit comfortably with a straight spine — on a cushion, a chair, or in Vajrasana.
2. Rest the hands on the thighs or knees, palms facing up.
3. Bring the tip of the little finger to touch the tip of the thumb.
4. Press lightly. The touch should be gentle — enough to feel contact, not to whiten the fingertips.
5. Extend the other three fingers naturally without stiffening them.
6. Do the same with both hands.
7. Close the eyes and breathe slowly through the nose. A long, even breath pairs well with the gesture.
8. Hold for 10–15 minutes, then release and gently shake out the hands.

The meaning of the fingers

In the elemental interpretation of mudras used in yoga and Ayurveda-based teaching, each finger relates to an element: thumb to fire, index to air, middle to space, ring to earth and little finger to water. Touching a finger to the thumb is said to strengthen that element; folding it under the thumb is said to reduce it.

So Varun mudra “brings fire to water” to activate it. In Ayurvedic terms, it is often recommended for vata dryness — dry skin, dry eyes, cracked lips — and avoided in excess for people with a kapha tendency to heaviness and fluid retention. See Vata, Pitta and Kapha explained. These are symbolic associations from tradition, not anatomical findings.

When and how often to practise

Varun mudra needs no special time, but many teachers suggest:

• Morning practice, after waking and drinking a glass of water, for 10–15 minutes.
• Short sessions through the day — three sessions of 10–15 minutes, or about 45 minutes in total, is the commonly quoted maximum.
• During meditation or pranayama, held quietly with slow nasal breathing.
• In dry weather or air-conditioned rooms, when skin and eyes feel dry, alongside drinking enough water.

Consistency matters more than length. Many people pair it with a few minutes of gentle breathing and then sit quietly. In some teaching it is alternated with Prithvi mudra for a grounded, nourished feeling. If you notice heaviness, sluggishness or congestion, shorten the practice; in the tradition, that is a sign the water element is already high.

Traditional uses

Popular mudra books describe Varun mudra as helpful for:

• dry skin, lips or eyes,
• a dry mouth or feeling of dehydration,
• stiffness and a sense of “dryness” in the joints,
• emotional rigidity — the water element is linked with fluidity and flow.

Practised with slow breathing, it can also be a simple, calming anchor for meditation.

What the evidence says

There are no well-designed studies showing that Varun mudra changes hydration, skin moisture or any medical condition. Short periods of still sitting and slow breathing do help many people relax, and that is a real benefit. But a mudra is not a treatment: if you have persistent dry eyes, skin problems or signs of dehydration, drink enough water and see a doctor. Dryness can be a symptom of conditions such as thyroid disease, diabetes or Sjögren’s syndrome, which need proper care.

Varun mudra compared with other mudras

Mudra	Fingers	Traditional emphasis
Varun Mudra	Little finger tip to thumb tip	Water element, moisture
Prithvi Mudra	Ring finger tip to thumb tip	Earth, grounding
Surya Mudra	Ring finger folded under thumb	Fire, metabolism
Vayu Mudra	Index finger folded under thumb	Calming excess air
Gyan Mudra	Index tip to thumb tip	Knowledge, focus
Prana Mudra	Ring and little tips to thumb	Vitality

Precautions

• Keep the pressure light; stop if you feel strain, numbness or cramping, especially with arthritis or hand injuries.
• If you tend toward swelling, water retention, colds or congestion, keep sessions short.
• Do not stop any medicine or treatment in favour of a mudra.
• If you are unsure, learn from a qualified yoga teacher.