Lord Buddha's image is sometimes shown with the hand gesture called 'Bhumisparsha Mudra'. It symbolizes
UPSC CSE Pre. 2012
A. Buddha's calling of the Earth to watch over Mara and to prevent Mara from disturbing his meditation
B. Buddha's calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara
C. 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
D. Both the statements (a) and (b) are correct in this context
Answer: Buddha's calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara
Option b is correct.
This gesture signifies the state of enlightenment after meditating under the bodhi tree for four weeks and withstanding all the temptations put before him by Mara, the god of evil. img-14.jpeg