In Jainism, when we talk about sitting mudras, we usually mean two things:

1. Sitting postures (āsana) of the whole body
2. Hand mudras of a sitting Jina / meditator

I’ll explain both in a very simple way.

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1. Main sitting postures in Jainism

In idols and in meditation, these are the common Jain sitting āsanas:

(a) Padmāsana / Paryaṅkāsana (Lotus posture)

• The Tirthankar sits cross‑legged.
• Each foot is placed on the opposite thigh (full lotus), or legs are tightly crossed in a very stable way.
• Back is straight, eyes half‑closed or downcast.
• This is the most common sitting posture of Tirthankar idols in both Śvetāmbara and Digambara traditions.
• Symbol: complete stability, deep meditation, full control of body and mind.

(b) Ardha‑Padmāsana (Half‑lotus)

• One leg on the opposite thigh, the other folded under.
• Used more by sādhus/sādhvīs and laypeople for meditation/jāp, not so much in idols.
• Easier than full padmāsana but still stable.

(c) Sukhāsana (Simple cross‑legged sitting)

• Just sit cross‑legged comfortably.
• Good for beginners, elderly people, or anyone who cannot sit in lotus.
• Jain texts mainly stress: position should be steady and cause minimum disturbance, not forceful.

(d) Other meditative āsanas sometimes used

• Siddhāsana, Vajrāsana etc. – also accepted for japa and dhyān if they are steady and comfortable.

For a Jain, the rule is:

• Body steady
• Spine straight
• Minimum movement
• Mind focused on soul (ātmā), not on body pain

You can read a simple Jain explanation of best āsanas for jāp here

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2. Hand mudras in sitting Jain idols

When the Tirthankar is shown sitting, the main hand mudras are:

(a) Dhyān Mudrā (Meditation mudra)

• Both hands in the lap.
• Right hand placed over the left hand.
• Palms facing upward.
• Thumbs may lightly touch or remain relaxed.
• This is the most common mudra for a sitting Jina.

Meaning:

• Mind turned completely inward.
• No interest in outer world.
• Pure self‑awareness and samādhi.

Both Śvetāmbara and Digambara murtis commonly use this for a meditating Tirthankar.

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(b) Namaskār Mudrā (Folded hands)

• Hands joined at the chest, palms touching.
• Seen sometimes in idols of other Jain deities (e.g. yakṣa‑yakṣiṇī), sādhus, or devotees, not usually the Tirthankar himself.

Meaning:

• Deep reverence
• Humility and surrender to the qualities of Arihant, Siddha, Āchārya, Upādhyāya, Sādhu.

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(c) Vyākhyān Mudrā (Teaching/Preaching mudra)

• The Jina appears seated in padmāsana on a samavasaraṇa / siṃhāsan.
• One hand (often right) is in a gesture of explaining – palm slightly open, fingers relaxed.
• Other hand may rest in the lap.

Meaning:

• Tirthankar is giving deshnā (divine sermon).
• Symbol of perfect keval‑jñān being shared for the uplift of all souls.

There are small style differences in Digambara and Śvetāmbara idols (shape of palm, angle of arm, ornamentation etc.), but the basic idea – Jina preaching dharma – is the same.

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(d) Varad / Abhaya‑like Mudrā (Blessing / fearlessness)

• Palm facing outward, slightly raised.
• More common in other Jain devatās, less in pure Tirthankar murtis.

Meaning:

• Granting fearlessness (abhaya), protection in dharma, and spiritual welfare.

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3. Spiritual purpose of these sitting mudras

All Jain sitting mudras try to express:

• Samatā – complete inner balance
• Ahimsā – no harmful movement of body or mind
• Saṃyam – total self‑control
• Dhyān – awareness of the pure soul, separate from body

For us as followers, these mudras remind:

• Sit steadily
• Reduce unnecessary movement
• Keep mind on nav‑tattva, pañca‑parameṣṭhī, or pure ātmā
• Let the body become quiet so that inner chaitanya can be experienced more clearly

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In short:

• Main sitting posture: Padmāsana / Paryaṅkāsana (lotus), with variants like ardha‑padmāsana and sukhāsana for practice.
• Main hand mudra in sitting idols: Dhyān mudrā, and in preaching form: Vyākhyān mudrā.

These are not just physical styles, but direct symbols of the Jain ideal: a soul fully free from attachment and aversion, absorbed in its own pure nature.