Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Abhayamudra in Pancaratra glossary... « previous · [A] · next »

Abhaya Mudra (“The Gesture of Fearlessness”):—This mudra indicates that we should never
entertain feelings of fear vis-à-vis God. Vishnu/Narayana is the ocean of compassion and
perfect justice and thus there is nothing to fear from Him. It also reminds us that we should
never be the caus e of fear to any other living being. Fear is the first obstacle in the path of
spiritual development

Source: SriMatham: Vaiṣṇava Iconology based on Pañcarātra Āgama

Pancaratra book covercontext information

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered

and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various
Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

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Shilpashastra (iconography)
Abhayamudra in Shilpashastra glossary... « previous · [A] · next »

Abhayamudrā (अभयमद्र
ु ा) is a Sanskrit word referring to “the gesture of fearlessness”. The term

mudrā translates to “hand seal”.

Source: Wisdom Library: Śilpa-śāstra

Abhaya(-mudra)—The right hand raised with the palm of the hand facing forwards. This
indicates blessing, protection and reassurance.

Source: Google Books: The Book of Hindu Imagery: Gods, Manifestations and Their Meaning
The Gesture of Fearlessness (Abhaya mudra).—The left hand is held up in this gesture of
dispelling fear. Our greatest fear is that of death and personal annihilation. The upheld hand is
Śiva’s assurance of protection and preservation. It also indicates the necessity of cultivating
harmlessness (ahiṃsā) and affording the gift of fearlessness to all other beings that we
encounter.

Source: Red Zambala: Hindu Icons and Symbols | Trinity

Shilpashastra book covercontext information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पिास्त्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of

creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to
Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Abhayamudra in Purana glossary... « previous · [A] · next »

Abhayamudrā (अभयमद्र
ु ा) is the name of a gesture (mudrā) mentioned in the Śivapurāṇa 1.20,

while explaining the mode of worshipping an earthen phallic image (pārthiva-liṅga) according
to the Vedic rites:—“[...] he shall show the “Śiva-mudrā” with the mantra ‘Eṣa te’; the
Abhayamudrā with the mantra ‘Yato Yataḥ’ etc. and the Jñāna-mudrā with the Tryambaka-
mantra”.

Source: archive.org: Siva Purana - English Translation

Purana book covercontext information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural

history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The
eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least
several centuries BCE.

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India

General definition (in Hinduism)

Abhayamudra in Hinduism glossary... « previous · [A] · next »
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.

Source: Srimatham: Hindu Iconology

In Buddhism
General definition (in Buddhism)
Abhayamudra in Buddhism glossary... « previous · [A] · next »
Abhaya in Sanskrit means fearlessness. Thus this mudra symbolizes protection, peace, and the
dispelling of fear. It is made with the right hand raised to shoulder height, the arm crooked, the
palm of the hand facing outward, and the fingers upright and joined. The left hand hangs down
at the side of the body. In Thailand, and especially in Laos, this mudra is associated with the
movement of the walking Buddha (also called 'the Buddha placing his footprint'). It is nearly
always used in images showing the Buddha upright, either immobile with the feet joined, or
walking.

This mudra, which initially appears to be a natural gesture, was probably used from prehistoric
times as a sign of good intentions - the hand raised and unarmed proposes friendship, or at
least peace; since antiquity, it was also a gesture asserting power, as with the magna manus of
the Roman Emperors who legislated and gave peace at the same time.

In Gandhara art, this mudra was sometimes used to indicate the action of preaching. This is
also the case in China where it is very commonly found in images of the Buddha, mainly in the
Wei and Sui eras (fourth to seventh centuries).

The Abhaya mudra is displayed by the fifth Dhyani Buddha, Amoghasiddhi. He is also the Lord
of Karma in the Buddhist pantheon. Amoghasiddhi helps in overcoming the delusion of jealousy.
By meditating on him, the delusion of jealousy is transformed into the wisdom of
accomplishment. This transformation is hence the primary function of the Abhaya mudra.

Source: Exotic India: Mudras of the Great Buddha