Varadamudra

The varadamudra (Sanskrit: वरदमुद्रा, romanized: varadamudrā) 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.[1] 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.[2]

Bodhisattva making varadamudra. Pala period, 12th century.

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.

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

References

Bautze, Joachim Karl (1994). Iconography of Religions. BRILL. p. 15. ISBN 978-90-04-09924-1.
Jr, Robert E. Buswell; Jr, Donald S. Lopez (24 November 2013). The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism. Princeton University Press. p. 960. ISBN 978-1-4008-4805-8.

Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola

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[1] Bautze, Joachim Karl (1994). Iconography of Religions. BRILL. p. 15. ISBN 978-90-04-09924-1.

[2] Jr, Robert E. Buswell; Jr, Donald S. Lopez (24 November 2013). The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism. Princeton University Press. p. 960. ISBN 978-1-4008-4805-8.