The Indian Buddhist Iconography, Mainly Based on the Sadhanamala and Other Cognate Tantric Texts of Rituals c25.1

c25.1

Abhaya mudrā, or the gesture of protection. The hand showing this mudrā should be slightly elevated and bent with the palm turned outward, the fingers being outstretched and elevated. This mudrā should be distinguished from the Varada mudrā in which case the hand is stretched downwards with the fingers, instead of being elevated, pointed downwards; and also, from the Capeṭadāna mudrā, which shows the right hand menacingly extended upwards, just as is done in dealing a slap.