Questions Regarding the Word Mudra: A Preliminary Survey of Gestures on Indian Icons and their Designation

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Fig. 10: Śiva as the Supreme Teacher
950-1000
India: Tamil Nadu
Granulite
32 7/8 in (83.6 cm).

Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Gift of James H. Coburn III.

Type known as Śiva Dakṣiṇāmūrti (facing south). Four-armed, the front-right hand is in the teaching gesture, with forefinger bent to touch the tip of the thumb, other three fingers raised; vyākhyāna and several other names have been noted for this gesture throughout this essay. The three other arms hold attributes. At the base, bearded ascetics listening to his teaching are mostly worn away.