Studies in Indian Art c12.s7.3

c12.s7.3

Two fingers of the right hand however of the figure on the Mathura railing-pillar, the index and the middle one, are placed on the lower part of the chin and do not touch the lower lip as the finger of the Taxila statuette does. This Mudrā is indicative of astonishment (*vismaya*) and reflection (*vitarka*). The eye-balls are turned upwards and the whole expression is one of deliberation in which an awareness of the immediate surroundings is absent. Satisfaction beams on the face. (Fig. 88).