Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c34.18

c34.18

P. 79. *Hands betokening (not sternness but) mildness and beneficence.* Varada hasta: the hand hanging down with palm towards the worshipper, the fingers slightly bent up—as if granting the wishes of the devotee; abhaya hasta: the other hand raised, as if signifying, ‘Do not fear.’ This is the usual position of the hands, or of two of the hands in Indian sculptures representing the gods; it is an attitude of blessing. There is in Indian art, both sculpture and painting, as also in dancing, an elaborate symbolism of the hands and fingers.