1840.] Note on Kandahar Gems. 103 



formed me of the impossibility of reconciling the bearded face with that of 

 Boodh. I have again, and again, pored over the impression, and have 

 examined it through a strong magnifier, with the hope, as may well be ima- 

 gined, of being able to convince myself of the justness of the Jotee's sup- 

 position, but I must honestly confess, that I am by no means able to 

 satisfy myself that he is right, though the line across the cheek may be 

 taken as the edge of the cloth, which, when so worn, is fastened immedi- 

 ately behind the ear, in a straight line from the upper lip. My belief 

 is, that the real explanation of the head is yet to be made. 



The hand holds the position of what more than one very com- 

 petent native informant, (among them Pandit Kamalakanta Vidya- 

 lanka), has described to me as a Moodra, or emblematic sign, com- 

 mon among Brahminical teachers. It is called the Totwa Moodra, and is 

 used by the Gooroo while inculcating some doctrinal point, or explaining 

 one of the mysteries of his religion to his disciple. Many of the readers 

 of the Journal may doubtless have seen it used, and most of those at all 

 conversant with the faith and habits of the Hindoos, will remember that 

 Rama is ordinarily represented with the hand in this position. It is, in 

 short, the sign of a religious teacher, or preacher. 



It is also termed Vyakhyana, and among professors of the Brahminical 

 doctrines is adopted on the authority of the following Sloka from the 

 Tantra Sara. 



«s **> *\ ' 



This is translated literally, " The junction of the tips of the right thumb 

 and forefinger, when disjoined from the other fingers, which are in a close and 

 curved position, is called the Vyakhyana Moodrika. Know that this (moodra) 

 is always an object, or source of pleasure to Sree Rama, and Saraswati, 

 (Goddess of science and the arts.)" The Moodra is not less Boodhistic than 

 Brahminical. With the Jains it is termed Oopdesh, or Unyoog Moodra, all the 

 terms in use with the professors of these creeds, having one reference to the 

 instruction in, and inculcation of, essential truth. Indeed the Jotee directly he 

 commenced giving me information on the points discussed at our meeting, 

 as if by involuntary motion, put his right hand into the shape represented 

 on the gem, covering his mouth with the left hand, so as immediately to 

 recall by the mere action the conviction that the veiled mouth (?) and 

 curved hand of the gem could belong to no set of types, but that of 

 which a living example was before me. The triple-pointed symbol I had 

 from the first considered Boodhistic, and some authorities which I had 

 consulted, induced me to believe that the lower part of it was the trikon, 



