Varadamudra

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Gilded bronze Statue of Tara, Sri Lanka, 8th century CE. With her right hand, the bodhisattva makes Varadamudra, the gesture of charity or gift-giving, while her left hand may originally have held a lotus.

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Bodhisattva making varadamudra. Pala period, 12th century.

The Varadamudra (Template:Langx) or Abheeshta Mudra is a mudra, a symbolic gesture featured in the iconography of Indian religions. It indicates a gesture by the hand and symbolises dispensing of boons. It is represented by the palm held outward, with the fingers outstretched and pointing downwards. Sometimes, the thumb and the index finger meet, forming a circle.

The Varadamudra and the Abhayamudra are the most common of several other mudras seen on divine figures in the art of Indian religions.

References

• Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (Template:ISBN) by Anna Dallapiccola

External links

• Template:Commonscatinline

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