Lord Buddha’s image is sometimes shown with the hand gesture called ‘Bhumisparsha Mudra’. It symbolises

1. Buddha’s calling of the Earth to watch over Mara and to prevent Mara from disturbing his meditation.
2. Buddha’s calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara.
3. Buddha’s reminder to his followers that they all arise from the Earth and finally dissolve into the Earth, and thus this life is transitory.
4. Both the statements (a) and (b) are correct in this context

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• Bhumisparsha Mudra is one of the most common Mudras found in statues of Buddha. It depicts the Buddha sitting in meditation with his left hand, palm upright, in his lap, and his right hand touching the earth. This mudra is commonly associated with blue Buddha known as Akshobya.
• Significance: ‘Calling the Earth to Witness the Truth’ and it represents the moment of Buddha attaining enlightenment.

Image Source: Map Academy

Answer: (b) Buddha’s calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara; Difficulty Level: Hard