The University of Nalanda c18.9

c18.9

Each image and its bodily posture of hands, feet etc., have a spiritual significance.³ "Vajraparyaṅka attitude", says Bhattacharyya, "signifies meditation; the Ardhaparyaṅka and Lalitāsana signify serenity; the Ālīḍha heroism; the Pratyālīḍha destruction and loathsomeness, and the dancing attitude in Ardhaparyaṅka signifies wrath and horror." The Yabyum image (that is, representation of a god and goddess in close embrace) has a deep spiritual significance. "It signifies that the god, the embodiment of Śūnya represents perfection, having attained Śūnya (Karuṇā) and therefore the highest stage of Nirvāṇa."⁴