Anjali mudra
Topic: Early Indian Art and Architecture: Stupas, Rock-cut Caves, Temples · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
A mudra is a set hand gesture with a fixed meaning in Indian art and dance. In the anjali mudra, both palms are pressed together in front of the chest, as in namaste. It shows greeting, respect and devotion. In sculpture it marks a figure as a worshipper, devotee or donor, and not as the god being worshipped.
Example
In the carved reliefs of Bharhut and Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh), c. 2nd–1st century BCE, worshippers often stand with joined palms before a Bodhi tree, a wheel or a stupa. These symbols stand for the Buddha.
Don't confuse with
- Abhaya mudra: one raised open palm facing outward. It means "do not fear" and is made by the deity or the Buddha, not by the devotee.
Related concepts
- Gupta art
- Sarnath school of art
- Mudras
- Abhaya mudra
- Bhumisparsha mudra
- Dharmachakra mudra
- Dhyana mudra
- Varada mudra
- Vitarka mudra
- Uttarabodhi mudra