Samayukta Hastas or Double Hand Gestures Flashcards
Shankha
Vasunthara: conch
It says that the Shankha mudra is used to denote a counch.
Shankha was also blown in the battlefield as a sign to begin the war. The sound of a Shankha is considered sacred and is also blown in some of the Indian rituals. Shankha has a divine significance in Indian mythology. Lord Vishnu is imagined of having four hands. He is described as holding a Shankha (counch) in his upper left hand
Kilaka
Vasunthara: Affection, friendship
A feeling of Love and affection
Funny talks, hilarious conversation etc
Samputa
. Vasunthara: Covering of things, container
Concealment of objects. It can be used to show secrets or something that is kept safely. it can also denote something that is hidden.
- To show the chest.
- Khatava
Vasunthara: cot
Its says that this hasta can be used to represent
A Cot
A Bridge
A Palanquin, which is also known as Palkhi in India. Palkhi in oldentimes was used as a mode of transportation. It is a covered chair or a bed with poles and carried by two or four bearers.
- Bhairunda
Vasunthara: Berundha bird
In Sanskrit the word Bherunda or bhairunda means terrible. Therefore I think the wise men say this gesture is used to show the Bhairunda bird in the mythology who is an eagle with two heads and a single body. Must have been a weird looking creature !!!
It can also be used to show a pair of birds sitting together. In this case the hands are not crossed but only joined at the wrists.
Kartari-swastika
Vasunthara: trees branches
Stems and branches of the trees
A huge tree
A hill top or its peak.
Shakata
Vasunthra:demon
It says that the Shakata hasta is used to enact a demon. Thus when shakata hasta is held close the face , it indicates vicious teeth of a demon. Also when it is held at the eye level it denotes the protruding eyes.
Anjali
Vasunthara: Nakaskaram, offering saltutation to god, guru, audience
offer salutation to the God, Elders, Teachers and a Brahmin. The Anjali mudra is kept above the head to offer salutations to the God. It is kept in front of the face to offer respects to the Teachers and Elders. It is kept in front of the chest to offer pranams to the twice -born or the Brahmin’s.
Swastika
Vasunthara: Compromise, Crocodile, across
swastika denotes a Crocodile
My imagination says it can be used
To say “No”
To show a blocked road or a passage
To show imprisonment
2 hand 6-12
Pushpaputa
Vasunthara: flower basket, offering flowers, receiving something
Indicate waving of lights to gods (to perform Aarti)
Acceptance of water or any fruits etc.
To show offerings to Gods
Offering floral tributes at the time of Mantra puja.
Avahitta
Vasunthara: Full bloomed lotus
This gesture is used to show :
1) Love
2) Playing with balls (can be any balls not just rubber, but also flower balls like jasmine etc) like throw and catch
3) Bosom
Dola
Vasunthara: swing, fainting
At the commencement of natya (Natyarambhe)
It is a pose prescribed by the experts.
Kataka-vardhana
Vasunthara:coronation, worshinping
Coronation ceremony
Worship
marriage
- Nagabandha
Vasunthara: snakes coiling around each other
This gesture is used to show how the snakes twine or their nature of coiling and encircling
Chakra
Vasunthara: wheel, mahavishnu’s disk
It says that this Mudra denotes a Wheel. In Sanskrit Chakra means a circle or a wheel.
Very often in Dance this hasta is used to represent Lord Vishnu’s Sudarshan chakra. He is dipicted holding it with his right forefinger. This chakra is a Divine weapon with sharp edges and is supposed to spin like a Disc.
Karkata
Vasunthara: Crab, gathering of people, streatching of arms
Arrival of people (Get together)
Showing the Belly
Blowing the counch
Twisting and stretching of Limbs
Bending a branch
Pasha
Vasunthara: Quarrel, Mutual, String
Internal fights or Quarrels
A String
A Chain
Shivalinga
Vasunthara: shivalingam
The shloka say that this Mudra indicates a Linga of lord Shiva. Linga means sign, mark or symbol. Thus a Shivlinga is a symbol that represents Hindu God lord Shiva.
Linga is derived from the Sanskrit word lingam, which comes from li meaning, “to dissolve” and gam “to move on”. This refers to the belief that one appears as a being in the world and then dissolves back into the universe. A Shivalinga is phallus-shaped and fixed on a base, which is shaped like a yoni. The structure symbolises the supreme creative energy. It represents the Shivashakti ie the union of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati. It is usually made of stone.
Utsanga
Vasunthara: embrace
An embrace
To show Modesty, Shyness etc
Display of Armlets and other such ornaments
Coaching children
Garuda
Vasunthara: Eagles
Its says that this hasta is used to denote a Hawk.
It can also denote birds flying.
2-hand gestures 1-5
Kapota
Vasunthara: Pigeon saltutation
In this gesture the palms touch each other only at the Tips and the base of the palm. The center is cupped.
Respectful salutations.
Such a Mudra is held while conversation with teachers or Guru .
Its a mark of acceptance or obedience.
It shows the Vinayam (down to earth attitude) quality of an individua
Varaha
Vasunthara: Boar
used to denote a Boar or a wild pig. The Varaha avatara of lord Vishnu is depicted by this gesture.
Kurma
Vasunthra: Turtle
denote a Tortoise. The Kurma Avatar of Lord Vishnu is also denoted by this Hasta
