Abhayamudra

The right hand is raised to shoulder height, with the palm is facing outward and the fingers pointing upwards [3] This is one of the earliest mudras found depicted on a number of Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh images.

A form of the Hindu god Shiva, Nataraja, is depicted with the second right hand making the abhayamudra, bestowing protection from both evil and ignorance to those who follow the righteousness of dharma.

In Thailand and Laos, this mudra is associated with the Walking Buddha, often shown having both hands making a double abhayamudra that is uniform.

The abhayamudra was probably used before the onset of Buddhism as a symbol of good intentions proposing friendship when approaching strangers.

[citation needed] In Mahayana Buddhism, deities often paired it with another mudra using the other hand.This article about Hindu religious studies, scripture or ceremony is a stub.