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Question 52 of 75 · Buddhism & Jainism
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In Buddhist art, the 'Abhaya mudra' (hand raised with palm facing outward) symbolises:

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Answer: Option D — Fearlessness (protection)

Detailed Solution

The "Abhaya mudra" is a hand gesture symbolising fearlessness, protection, peace and reassurance.

About the Abhaya mudra:

  • "Abhaya" means "fearlessness" or "without fear".
  • The right hand is raised to about shoulder height, with the palm facing outward and the fingers pointing upward.
  • It shows that the Buddha (or deity) offers protection and removes fear.
  • According to a legend, the Buddha used this gesture to calm a charging elephant (Nalagiri) that had been sent to kill him by his jealous cousin Devadatta.
  • It is common in images of the standing Buddha, and is also used in Hindu and Jain images.

Important mudras of the Buddha:

  • "Dhyana mudra": both hands resting in the lap, palms upward, one over the other; it represents meditation.
  • "Bhumisparsha mudra" ("earth-touching"): the right hand touches the ground; it represents the moment of enlightenment, when the Buddha called the earth to witness his victory over Mara (the demon of temptation).
  • "Dharmachakra mudra": both hands held in front of the chest, forming a wheel; it represents teaching (the first sermon).
  • "Varada mudra": the hand lowered with the palm facing outward; it represents giving blessings or granting wishes.
  • "Vitarka mudra": the thumb and index finger form a circle; it represents discussion and teaching.
  • "Anjali mudra": palms pressed together; it represents greeting and respect.

About mudras:

  • Mudras are symbolic hand gestures used in religious art, rituals, meditation, yoga and classical dance.
  • In Indian classical dance, such as Bharatanatyam, mudras (hastas) are used to express meaning.

Famous images:

  • The seated Buddha from Sarnath (Gupta period, 5th century) shows the Dharmachakra mudra.
  • The Mahabodhi Temple image shows the Bhumisparsha mudra.

Why not the other options?

  • ✗Teaching is shown by the Dharmachakra or Vitarka mudra.
  • ✗Meditation is shown by the Dhyana mudra.
  • ✗Calling the earth to witness is shown by the Bhumisparsha mudra.

Quick tip

Remember: Abhaya = fearlessness (Nalagiri elephant); Bhumisparsha = earth-touching (enlightenment); Dharmachakra = teaching; Dhyana = meditation; Varada = blessing.

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Buddhism & Jainism — Preparation

This question tests your understanding of Buddhism & Jainism, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.

Buddhism and Jainism arose in the 6th century BCE as reform movements. This topic covers the lives and teachings of Gautama Buddha and Mahavira, the Jain tirthankaras, the Buddhist councils, the sects of both religions, their sacred texts and the places linked to them. Common questions cover the four great events of the Buddha's life and their places (birth at Lumbini, enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, first sermon at Sarnath, death at Kushinagar), the four Buddhist councils with their kings and venues, and the Jain sects Digambara and Shvetambara. Learning the councils as a table of place, king and president is the fastest way to revise. Practise the Buddhism and Jainism questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.

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