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

Fig. 8: Tārā
late 9th century
India: Bihar
Schist
37 x 18 ¾ x 8 ½ in (94 x 47.6 x 21.6 cm).

Norton Simon Art Foundation.

The Buddhist deity Tārā's right arm and hand are lowered with palm turned forward in the gesture of offering. The kneeling figure beneath her hand places his palms together in reverence; the figure on her proper left raises a threatening forefinger, the tantric tarjanī gesture. Tara's body is in slight tribhaṅga posture, see my footnote 62..