MUDRAS

The language of the hands known as mudra (root mud - that which gives delight) is very significant in all forms of Indian art — in dance as well as sculpture, iconography and ritual. There are some mudras which are common to many deities and buddhas.

Mudras are to be found in the compendium of gestures found in the texts on Dance known as Nātya-śāstra as well as in the Agamas. There are dozens of Mudras used in pūjā which should not detain us here. Here I will give the most common Mudras seen in popular icons.

Abhaya Mudra — the gesture of fearlessness — the palm displayed with the fingers pointing to the sky. Indicates the practice of harmlessness to all beings in word, deed and thought (ahimsa) and granting to all beings the gift of freedom from fear.

Varada Mudra — the gesture of generosity — the palm displayed, fingers pointing downwards. This indicates the benevolence of the deity as well as the teaching of the principle of generosity to all beings.

Chin Mudra — the gesture of teaching — palm displayed, fingers upwards thumb and fore-finger joined at the tips. This indicates the imparting of knowledge, form the deity to the contemplator and having received the knowledge the aspirant is expected to pass it on to others. The thumb pressing on the index finger indicates suppression of egoism, the 3 upraised fingers indicate overcoming self-referent desire, anger and greed.

Dhyana Mudra — the gesture of meditation, this takes two forms: palms placed one over the other in the lap or arms stretched out, hands on the knees with the palms outward displaying the chin mudra. The former indicates meditation using an abstract or formless focus, and the later expresses the idea of meditation upon a more tangible object.

Tarjani Mudra — the gesture of vigilance — fist closed with the index finger raised. This mudra is usually found in images of protective or guardian deities and indicative of the need to be extremely mindful when approaching the spiritual path. The index finger is also representative of the ego which is the major obstacle to spiritual advancement. It also represents the principle of aggression and harm — aspects of personality which need to be overcome in the preparatory stages of spiritual life.

Kaṭi-hasta Mudra - this is found almost exclusively in icons of Lord Vishnu as Venkaṭeśvara and is linked to his other hand in the Varada-Mudra which is the gesture of generosity, giving, blessing.

The kaṭi-hasta-mudra is indicating easy accessibility and that those who take refuge in His feet will be surely liberated from the ocean of Saṁsāra