Copper Buddha image of Gupta period found from Sultanganj depicts gesture of :

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 2:
The colossal standing copper Buddha image, famously discovered in Sultanganj (Bihar) and dating back to the Gupta period (circa 500-700 CE), distinctly displays the **Abhay mudra**. This gesture is characterized by the right hand being raised, palm outward, facing the viewer, while the left hand holds the hem of the robe. The term *Abhay* literally means fearlessness, and this mudra symbolizes the Buddha's assurance, protection, benevolence, and the dispelling of fear, which perfectly aligns with the serene and confident style of Gupta-era sculpture. The Sultanganj Buddha, now a highlight in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, is celebrated as a masterpiece demonstrating the technical and spiritual peak of Gupta metal casting and iconographic tradition.

The incorrect option is 1:
Dhyan mudra (Meditation gesture) is incorrect. This mudra is represented by both hands resting on the lap, palms upwards, with the right hand often placed on top of the left, signifying the state of deep meditation or concentration attained by the Buddha during his enlightenment. Since the Sultanganj Buddha is a monumental *standing* figure in a pose of address, it fundamentally contradicts the seated, introspective nature symbolized by the Dhyan mudra. This gesture is typical of images depicting the Buddha immediately before or during his enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.

The incorrect option is 3:
Dharmchakrapravartan mudra (Turning the Wheel of Dharma) is incorrect. This specific gesture is associated with the Buddha's First Sermon at Sarnath. It is performed with both hands held near the chest, usually the thumb and forefinger of both hands touching to form a symbolic wheel, representing the setting in motion of the spiritual teaching. Although it is a key *mudra* of the Gupta period, it is exclusively used for seated or standing images engaged in teaching or preaching, which is not the primary iconic function conveyed by the Sultanganj Buddha's pose of assurance.

The incorrect option is 4:
Yoga mudra, while descriptive of a meditative state, is not a precisely defined, standard iconographic *mudra* in the classical Buddhist tradition in the same way as *Abhay*, *Dhyan*, or *Bhumisparsha* mudras. When used, it generally refers to a seated pose with hands in the lap, similar to the Dhyan mudra. Since the Sultanganj Buddha is a standing figure with a clearly recognizable, specific hand gesture—the right hand raised in assurance—the general term "Yoga mudra" is not the accurate art-historical classification for this statue.