The abhayamudra is a recurring element in Hindu and Buddhist iconography. Both schools of Indian philosophy uphold the supremacy of vidya (awareness) over avidya (ignorance) and dharma (ethical behaviour) over adharma (unethical). The idea is to dispel the latter that give cause for bhaya (fear) and realise the resplendence of the intransient atma (soul). The Buddha that you see on this page raises His right hand in the stance (‘mudra’) of fearlessness (‘abhaya’): the hand raised at shoulder-level, palm exposed, fingers and thumb outstretched.It is a seated Buddha composition that is in many respects unlike run-of-the-mill murtis of the kind. The legs are in ardha-padmasana (one foreleg poised over the other) as opposed to the poorna-padmasana (forelegs interlocked). The left hand rests gently upon the knee of the left leg, which is on top, instead of cradling an almsbowl in the lap. The bare-bodied ascetic, but for the gold-coloured dhoti whose hems are wrapped around the knees, wears an ornate necklace and a janeu of gold across His torso. Gigantic karnakundalas and a luxuriantly engraved five-spired crown frame His face, indicative of His cosmic glamour. Note how the gold complements the green overtones of His naked complexion.An expression of quiet contemplation marks the face of the erstwhile Shakyamuni. He is hurtling into samadhi, the fingers of the other hand about to reach down (‘sparsha’) to the earth (‘bhoomi’) any moment now.
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