Child Shaiva Saint Sambandar c. 15th century

This bronze sculpture depicts the Child Shaiva Saint Sambandar. His hands are raised in a gesture that speaks across centuries. This is Jnana Mudra, the gesture of knowledge. Notice how the hands, held at chest level, convey the union of the individual soul with the divine through the meeting of the thumb and index finger. This motif echoes in different cultures, from the Buddhist vitarka mudra—the gesture of teaching—to the Christian iconography where the hand is raised in blessing. But consider also the psychoanalytic implications of this gesture: an assertion of self, an expression of authority, and the deep-seated human desire to communicate transcendental knowledge. This emblem is not merely an artistic choice but a powerful force, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. Through history, this symbol has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts, evidencing the timeless pursuit of understanding.