Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c34.21

c34.21

P. 113. *Rapavaliya*, v. 158, reads: “The forefinger is Yama, the third finger is Vishnu, the fourth finger is Ananga, the fifth finger is the Sun.” The position (*mudrā*) of the hands and fingers in Indian sculpture is always significant. For similar ideas in Christian art see Didron et Durand, ‘Manuel d’Iconographie Chretienne,’ Paris, 1845, quoted by R. Hendrie, ‘Theophilus,’ London, 1847, pp. 427, 428.