Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v2.c74.s3.19

v2.c74.s3.19

**Abhaya**—It is also known as Śāntida (cf. Br. S. ch. 57-vv-33-5) the hand turned towards the visitor, (*i. e.* turned to front) with fingers raised upwards. Its early illustrations are Mathura Buddha figure of the Kushan period ; Śiva-Viśvāmitra figure (on the coins of Dharaghoṣa); King Brahmadatta in illustration of Mahākapi Jātaka at Bharhut. ‘This is one of the commonest mudrās in which one or other hand of the Brahmanical, Buddhist and Jain images is shown, and it stands for assurance of fearlessness, tranquillity and protection given by the deity to his worshipper’—D. H. I. p. 251.