Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v2.c74.s3.20

v2.c74.s3.20

**Varada.**—It is also another of the typically common mudrās in iconographic illustrations of ancient and medieval India, symbolises the bestowal of boon or benediction by the god on his votary. Utpala, the celebrated commentator of Br. S. explains this mudrā as the pose in which the palm with fingers pointing downwords is shown inside out. The antiquity of this pose goes as far back as the age of Indus Valley civilization (cf. Mohenjodaro seals containing figures of a god seated in yoga posture and Harappa terracotta human figurines). Sri M. S. Vatsa has described several such Harappa figures—vide ‘Excavations at Harapa’, p. 294, pl. LXXVI. Kubera (Kupiro Yakho) is also depicted in Bharhut with his hands in this pose.