During the recent Parliament session, the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi spoke passionately about the 'abhaya mudra'. The mudra or hand gesture is an integral part of Indian iconography, which is deeply inspired by Hinduism and Buddhism. Gandhi has mentioned the abhaya mudra while giving several speeches, be it at Congress rallies or during the Bharat Jodo Yatra.
However, there is a much deeper history to classical hand gestures such as this. Their roots can be traced to religion, and they are being popularised in classical Indian art and cultural heritage. The ancient Sanskrit text, 'Natya Shastra' (Book of Dance) finds its origins in 200 CE as the foundation and essence of classical dance. Several symbols and mudras mentioned in this text have been derived from religion and have later been popularised—through ancient sculptures and statues, in traditional yogic practices, via folklore and storytelling, and at some point, through the political arena.
The ruling BJP's symbol, the lotus, has a deep-rooted meaning in cultural heritage as well in the Bhagavad Gita. The text suggests blossoming beautifully like a lotus in a muddy pond, without attachment or ‘vairagya’, unhinged, unaffected by the sins of others. Even Buddha sits with his legs crossed on the flower, now popular as the ‘lotus pose’ in yoga.
Similarly, the abhaya mudra, which Gandhi links to the Congress party’s symbol, is an important part of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. ‘Abhaya’ in Sanskrit means fearless, and the abhaya mudra denotes the palm of the right hand facing outwards at shoulder height, fingers pointing towards the sky. An open palm, which is also the manner in which one would gesture ‘to stop’.
While it is not common or usual to be showing pictures or printed photographs of deities in Parliament, Gandhi did so as he tried vehemently to make his point. He spoke about the mudra and how despite being part of several religions, its meaning was the same. To never be scared and to face one's fears.
In a country such as India, which has an ancient tradition and cultural heritage, it is no surprise that the arts are so heavily part of our day-to-day lives that we seldom realise their significance. There is also a traditional school of thought, which connects the arts and science through these gestures and mudras, suggesting that various mudras stimulate specific nerves. For example, practising the abhaya mudra is said to communicate to the brain that one must be fearless.
Despite being attributed as one of the main five mudras in Buddhism, there is not enough evidence to suggest that it originated with the religion. However, the mudra can be seen in various Buddhist sculptures, thangka or cloth scrolls and even on historic monuments. UNESCO World Heritage site, Angkor Wat’s National Museum has an overwhelming 1,000 Buddha images in the gallery. Of these, the ones denoting this mudra are beautifully presented, in an array of metal compositions.
Buddha Thangka, at The Buddha Amoghasiddhi
Buddhist legend suggests that the cousin of Buddha, Devdutta, attempted to murder Buddha by letting loose an elephant. Lord Buddha invoked the abhaya mudra, demonstrating fearlessness. The angry elephant was immediately calm after seeing the mudra.
Similarly, Hindu Gods are also seen seated and standing demonstrating the mudra. Lord Shiva, in his form as Natraja (the cosmic dancer) is depicted making the abhaya mudra. Before practising an Indian classical dance form, the dancer prays to Natraja seeking blessings from the divine and protection against evil.
Similarly, ancient sculptures of Lord Vishnu depicting the same mudra are also seen.
Be it through the beautiful Biblical images of the Vatican ceilings or mythological statues and sculptures scattered across Asia, classical art has always been used as a medium to narrate mythology and influence society.
I recall visiting a Gothic church in Italy and being told how the beautifully illustrated and painted frescoes were a way to teach people who could not read and write about Christianity.
The arts can be demonstrated purely for the sake of art, to benefit society or even as religious or political propaganda as one can see historically. For the time being, a certain Mr Gandhi has managed to refresh our memories of classical Indian art and appreciate their deeper significance.