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Saṁdaṁṡa

Asaṃyuta Hasta - Single Hand Gestures

Descriptions and Meanings

200 BCE - 200 CE
The Natysasastra (NS) - Adya Rangacharya
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Description:
9

This mudra is Arala but with the change that the tips of the thumb and the second finger touch and the palm is downwards.

Meaning:
9:

It is of three kinds—(i) Agraja, when taking out a thorn or picking delicate flowers is suggested, (ii) Mukhaja, when flowers are picked from the stalks or when the brushes (for anointing collyrium to the eyes) are used, and (iii) Parsvaja, when pearls are pierced, etc.


Based upon:

Arāla - 9

Not included elsewhere
200 BCE - 200 CE
The Natya Sastra (NS) - Board of Scholars
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Description:
9:109

The thumb and the forefinger in the position of Arala hand are kept crossed like pincers. The palms is slightly hollowed. This is Samdaṁṣa hand.

Meaning:
9:110:

In as much as the hand is held in front, near the mouth or on one side this Samdaṁṣa can be classified into three. The due Rasa and Bhavas are kept in mind.


Based upon:

Arāla - 9:45

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Description:
9:111-115

(a) Samdaṁṣa in front

(b) Sandamsa near the mouth.

(c) Sandamsa on one side.

Meaning:
9:111-115:

(a. This represents plucking of flowers, wreathing of garlands, taking up blades of grass, leaves, hairs or thread, holding or pulling out an arrow or removing thorn.

(b) This represents taking off of a flower from the stem gently, the wick of a lemp, the stick of collyrium, filling up of vessels with something, saying “Fie upon you!" and wreath in diverse forms. (c) The left hand is used by slightly turning the tip to represent softness, abuse and envy. The com¬bination of two or more of these is used to represent Sacred thread, piercing holes in pearls etc. bow string, fineness, arrow, objects aimed at yogic practice, meditation and small quantity. The Sandamsa is used to indicate painting colouring the eyes, deliberation, drawing the Patra I.ekha and squeezing of the Laksarasa.


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Not included elsewhere
200 BCE - 200 CE
The Natyasastra, Volume I (NS) - Dr. Manomohan Ghosh
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Description:
9:109

Sandaṃśa (pincers)—the forefinger and the thumb of the Arāla hand crossed and the palm a little hollowed.

Meaning:
9:110:

The Sandaṃśa (hand) according to the Sentiments and States, is of three kinds, viz. that [held] in front, that near the mouth and that on one side.


9:111-115:

In representing the plucking of flowers, taking up grass, leaves, hairs or thread and holding or pulling out an arrow or thorn the Sandaṃśa should be held in one’s front. And to represent taking off a flower from its stem, the wick [of a lamp], [collyrium] stick, etc. filling up [any vessel with any thing], in saying ‘fie [upon you]’, in anger, this should be held near the mouth. To represent taking off the sacred thread, piercing a hole [in pearls and similar objects], bow-string, fineness, arrow, and objects aimed at, yoga, meditation and small quantity [two] such hands should be combined. This shown by the left hand held on one side and slightly turning its tip is used to represent softness, abuse and envy. It is used also to indicate painting, colouring one’s eyes, deliberation, stem, drawing Patralekhā and squeezing of lac-dye by women.


Based upon:

Arāla - 9:45-50

Not included elsewhere
400 CE - 500 CE
Visnudharmottarapurana (VDP) - Dr. Priyabala Shah
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Description:
26:49-50

When in Arāla hand, the fore-finger and the thumb are pressed together in a way to form pincers and the middle of the palm is bent, it is called Samdamsa. One should know that Saṁdaṁṡa is of three types : Agraja, Mukhaja and Parsvakrta. Now hear the work of each one.

Meaning:
26:51:

Agraja Saṁdaṁṡa hand should be done for holding and for extracting thorn etc. Mukhaja Saṁdaṁṡa hand is posed to express plucking a flower from its stalk, filling in the receptacle with chips for anointing the eye. Parsva Saṁdaṁṡa hand is used in colouring a drawing, in Yajnopavita (sacred-thread), in pressing the breast and in showing head.


Based upon:

Arāla - 26:24

Mentioned by:
Bhramara
1100 CE - 1200 CE
The Mirror of Gesture (AD) - Ananda Coomaraswamy
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Description:
No verse annotation

Saṁdaṁṡa (grasping): the fingers of the Padmakosa hand are repeatedly opened and closed.

Meaning:
No verse annotation:

generosity, sacrificial offerings, tumour, insect, apprehension, worship (arcana), the number five.


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Description:
No verse annotation

According to another book: the middle finger of the Haṁsásya hand is outstretched. This hand originates from the Goddess of Speech, when she bestowed a rosary. Its sage is Visvavasu, rts race Vidhyadhara, its colour white, its patron deity Valmiki.

Meaning:
No verse annotation:

tooth, small bud, singing (samgila), gentle dances (lasya-natana), exegesis (tika), jinana-mudra, scales, flaw in a tooth, sacred thread (yajnopavita), line, examining, painting pictures (citra lekhana), truth, saying “No!”, saying “A little”, moment, listening, testing metals etc. on the touchstone (nikasa), shining white, taking aim, nail, sprout, gunja seed, the number eight, fire-fly, poison, blades of grass, red ants, mosquito, eclipse, col¬lecting pearls, bug, fly, garland, down, pointing (sucana), solitude, touching, Veda, snow, speaking, slipping, cutting off, a wound brow-spot, collyrium, Vidyadhara caste, white colour, slowness


1100 CE - 1200 CE
Nandikeśvara's Abhinaya Darpaṇam, 3rd edition (AD) - Dr. Manomohan Ghosh
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Description:
1:159-160

Sandaṃśa (pincers). If the fingers of Padmakosa are brought close to one another and drawn apart from one another in quick succession, the hand is called Sandaṃśa.

Meaning:
1:160-161:

It is used to denote the belly, presentation of an offering to deities, wound, a worm, great fear, worship, and the number five.


Based upon:

Padmakōṡa - 1:134

Not included elsewhere
1100 CE - 1200 CE
Abhinaya Darpanam of Nandikeswara (AD) - P.S.R. Apparao
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Description:
7:414-415

When the fingers of Padmakosa hasta are repeatedly in quick succession) joined and separated, it becomes Saṁdaṁsa (=pincers) hasta:

Meaning:
7:414-415:

Saṁdaṁṡa hasta is used to denote the following: stomach, generosity, sacrificial offerings, tumour, insect, apprehension, great fear or fear of death, worship, and number five. any


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Description:
7:416-422

If the middle finger of Hamsásya hasta is outstretched, it becomes Saṁdaṁṡa hasta

Meaning:
7:416-422:

Saṁdaṁṡa hasta is used to denote the following: tooth, small bud, singing, lāsya dance, brief explanation, jñānamudra, scales, flaw in a tooth or decaying tooth, yajnopavita, line, examining, painting pictures, truth, saying 'no', saying 'a little', moment, listening, testing metals like gold on the touchstone, whiteness, taking aim, nail, sprout, red and black seed, the number eight, red ant, poison, blade of grass, ant, mosquito, eclipse, garland of pearls, bug, fly, garland of flowers, romavali, pointing, solitude, touching, ou Vēda, snow, speaking, slipping, a wound, a wound made by the nail, gem or precious stone, beggar, tilakam, collyrium, shut vidyadhara race, goura colour, slowness.


1126 CE - 1234 CE
The Nṛtyavinōda of Mānasôllāsa, A Study (NVoM) - Hema Govindarajan
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Description:
4:1192-1196

Sandaṁṡa The forefinger and the thumb of the Arala Hasta meet at the tip and the palm is slightly hollowed. The Hasta is done in three different ways: towards the front (Agraja), towards the face (Mukhaja) and towards the side (Parsvaja).

Meaning:
4:1192-1196:

This Hasta when done facing the front (Agra; a Sandaṁṡa Hasta) is used to depict removing thorns, plucking small flowers and rebuking rudely.

This Hasta when done facing the side (Parsvaja Sandaṁṡa Hasta) is used to depict rubbing the sacred thread, powdering things like camphor and taking betel leaf.

This Hasta when done towards the face (Mukhaja Sandaṁṡa Hasta) is used to depict painting, drawing the eyebrows, stringing beads and decorating the eyelashes.


Based upon:

Arāla - 4:1176-1178

Not included elsewhere
1138 CE - 1400 CE
Śri Pārśvadeva's Saṅgítasamayasāra (SS) - Dr. M. Vijayalakshmi
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Description:
7:49

Sandaṅsa: In the arāla hasta if forefinger and thumb is joined together, it is sandaṅsa.

Meaning:
7:49:

It indicates meditation, gathering flowers, inadequacy, wringing, etc.


Based upon:

Arāla - 7:47

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Description:
7:50

Sandaṅsa is three-fold, sidewise, near the face, at the frontside etc. are the manyfold varieties according to Digambara.

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No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
1200 CE - 1300 CE
Jāyasenāpativiracita Nṛttaratnāvalī, Volume I (NrtN) - Pappu Venugopala Rao and Yashoda Thakore
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Description:
2:158

When the thumb and forefinger of the arāla hasta meet it becomes saṁdamṡa. It is of three kinds: agra, mukha and parsva saṁdamṡa.

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Based upon:
No image available
Arāla - 2:152

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Description:
2:159

If the nails of forefinger and thumb meet, it is agra saṁdamṡa.

Meaning:
2:159:

It can be used to depict making garlands, picking small flowers, sprinkling,


2:160:

string, a strand of hair, holding a pebble and objects of the like, uprooting a thorn and other actions.


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Description:
2:160

In the same way when the first part of the forefinger and thumb meet, it is mukha saṁdamṡa.

Meaning:
2:160:

This is used in doubt, rebuff, separating the flower from the stalk...


2:161:

The intricacy of a young shoot, writing a letter with a pencil, squeezing the red dye (obtained from the cochineal or a similar insect as well as from the resin of a particular tree), colouring the eyes, etc.


2:162:

It is used along with the other hand to bore a hole in the like of a pearl, the use of an arrow, wiping the sacred thread, aim, meditation, string, etc.


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Description:
2:163

If the sides of the fingers come together it is parsva saṁdamṡa.

Meaning:
2:163:

The skilled use it with the left hand for reprimanding words, contempt, envy, a useless object, etc.


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Not included elsewhere
1350 CE - 1550 CE
Śrihastamuktāvali (HM) - Maheswar Neog
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Description:
:47

If the fore-finger in Arala touches the tip of the thumb, it is said to be Sandamsa hasta.

Meaning:
:503:

gold, bracelet, writing, emerald, the twice-born, the holy thread, clothes, a name, a song, a utterance,


:504:

a talkative person, a loquacious person, an expert, a line, dropsy


:505:

collyrium, seeing, an eye, the beautiful eye of a deer, the short hair hanging over the forehead, a tilaka mark, the parting of hair on the head, vermilion, ascertainment, a gem,


:506:

the meaning of ‘This is’, the meaning of ‘It takes away’, the meaning of ‘It sounds’, the sound of flute, the sound of cymbals, a flute, a pair of cymbals,


:507:

the meaning of ‘What is it?,’ a blunder, the meaning of ‘Whose is this?’, the meaning of ‘Where is it?’, the meaning of ‘From whom is there happiness?’, the meaning of ‘To whom what?’, accosting a person, gentle words,


:508:

the meaning of 'It is there’, a moneyed person, a current of water, a line of steps of the feet, good smell, a slice, flow of water, blank space,


:509:

dignity, distraction, truth, details, the root of a lotus, a coral, a wrapper, fickle,


:510:

an utterance, the painting of eyes, pointing out the residence of Indra and others, anguish rising from poverty, the agitated, the compassionate,


:511:

the forlorn, detailing of misery, entreaty, the helpless, a small quantity, a debate, a mass, the putting on of the red-dye,


:512:

the tearing of leaves, the pulling of hot things, the air, tongs made of iron, travelling, thinking,


:513:

the left side, a tiny thing, yoga exercises, the putting on of a holy thread, equals, the prescribed thing, the work to be done, a bow-string, a target, piercing,


:514:

a moment, the trice of time, a staff, a vice, virtue, a festival, a statement, known matter, the expressed, the submerged, a direction, courage,


:515:

a deed accomplished, white hair, vegetable, oil, ghee, grass, well-cooked curry, curd, milk, a pious man, a doctor,


:516:

the count of the meritorious, a learned person, the scholar in medicine, a beautiful thing, seeing, an ear, a cowherd, a barber,


:517:

a Kayastha, a garland-maker, a Vaisya, a Ksatriya, a dealer in conch-shells, a perfumer, a dealer in glass, a seller of conch objects,


:518:

adaivajna, a washerman, a weaver, an oilman, a Kapalika Saiva, a potter, a man of Koca caste, thief, a dancer,


:519:

the word jati (caste), an umbrella, an artisan, the caste called Musaii, a reverential person, a future event,


:520:

the Buddha incarnation, a sidelong glance, sleepless state—I would suggest Sandamsa in all these.


:521:

All the subjects from ‘the plucking of flowers’ to ‘faulty words’ are to be demonstrated by Sandamsa assuming the various forms.


Based upon:

Arāla - :45

Not included elsewhere
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Description:
:499

Sandamsa hasta is of three kinds—agraja or going in the front, mukhaja or placed near the mouth and parsvaja, operating on the sides. They are all endowed with rasas and bhewas.

Meaning:
:500:

the plucking of flowers, stringing together, the holding of grass or hair, taking to a bed of yarn and young leaves, pulling—in these agraja Sandamsa is applied by experts in dance.


:501:

diamond, the lifting of flowers, the wick of a lamp, filling up, small rods, censure, wrath, the phrase ‘Fie on you’ the black colour—in these mukhaja Sandamsa is prescribed.


:502:

a despicable thing, envy, condition, a condemned person, faulty words—in these parsva Sandamsa is provided. These are only examples; they are to be applied in other cases too.


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Description:
:522

If the right Sandamsa rubs itself over the left Sandamsa,

Meaning:
:522:

it is an indication of gold.


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Description:
:522

If the two Sandmsas are put in the place of the bangles,

Meaning:
:522:

that would mean bangles.


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Description:
:523

If the right Sandamsa, facing down, is shaken, while it is moved from the left to the right,

Meaning:
:523:

it means a piece of writing.


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Description:
:523

If the end of Sandamsa is moved obliquely in a circle,

Meaning:
:523:

it is a picture of emerald.


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Description:
:524

If the two Sandamsas are first placed over the left shoulder, and then the right Sandamsa is moved down to the navel,

Meaning:
:524:

a Brahmana is meant.


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Description:
:525

If the two Sandamsas are moved from the front separately to the sides,

Meaning:
:525:

it means clothes and the six subjects beginning with ‘a name’.


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Description:
:525

If Sandamsa takes the shape of a line,

Meaning:
:525:

it means a line.


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Description:
:525

If Sandamsa is hung down,

Meaning:
:525:

it indicates the disease of dropsy.


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Description:
:526

If Sandamsa takes a bending shape and moves a little downward,

Meaning:
:526:

it stands for a hole.


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Description:
:526

If Sandamsa, facing up, is raised up with pleasure,

Meaning:
:526:

it is a sign of joy.


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Description:
:527

If the two Sandamsas are placed a little low on the left,

Meaning:
:527:

it means the acquisition of position.


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Description:
:527

If the two Sandamsas are moved in the front,

Meaning:
:527:

it indicates binding.


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Description:
:527

If Sandamsa is placed near the eyes,

Meaning:
:527:

it means collyrium; it means seeing.


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Description:
:528

If Sandamsa goes near the ears,

Meaning:
:528:

it indicates an eye.


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Description:
:528

If Krsnasaramnkha is exhibited on the left and behind it stands Sandamsa, which is then moved from near the eyes to near the ears,

Meaning:
:528:

it indicates the beautiful eyes of a deer.


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Description:
:528

If Sandamsa moves up from the top of the nose to near the hair,

Meaning:
:528:

it is a tilaka mark.


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Description:
:529

If Sandamsa is moved from the middle of the forehead, winding round to one side,

Meaning:
:529:

it indicates the short hair hanging down over the forehead.


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Description:
:530

If Sandamsa touches the forehead,

Meaning:
:530:

it is vermilion.


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Description:
:530

If it sticks higher up

Meaning:
:530:

it means a gem.


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Description:
:530

If the two Sandamsas go down playfully,

Meaning:
:530:

it means ascertainment and means ‘Yes, it is.’


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Description:
:531

If Sandamsa moves to the left

Meaning:
:531:

it says, ‘It has been taken away’.


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Description:
:531

If Sandamsa moves forward,

Meaning:
:531:

it means ‘It is giving sound.’


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Description:
:531

If Sandamsa is placed near the mouth with the fingers trembling,

Meaning:
:531:

it means flute playing.


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Description:
:532

If the left Sandamsa, facing up, is struck by the right,

Meaning:
:532:

it means the sound of cymbals. It also speaks of the cymbals, and of a flute.


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Description:
:533

By holding Sandamsa at the front

Meaning:
:533:

all the subjects from ‘What is it?' to ‘gentle words’ can be meant.


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Description:
:533

If Sandamsa hangs down at the front,

Meaning:
:533:

it says ‘It is there’.


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Description:
:533

If Sandamsa is moved in a circle,

Meaning:
:533:

it indicates a moneyed man.


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Description:
:534

If Sandamsa moves from high downward shakingly,

Meaning:
:534:

a current of water is indicated.


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Description:
:534

If Sandamsa moves in circles,

Meaning:
:534:

it means a line of footprints.


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Description:
:534

If Sandamsa is held in front of the nose,

Meaning:
:534:

it is good smell that is meant.


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Description:
:535

If Sandamsa strikes forward,

Meaning:
:535:

it suggests slices.


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Description:
:535

If the two Sandamsas move to the left,

Meaning:
:535:

it means the flow of water.


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Description:
:535

If the two Sandamsas are brought together at the front and then quickly separated,

Meaning:
:535:

it means blank space. It also means dignity as well as a distracted state of mind.


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Description:
:536

If Sandamsa, facing up, is lowered,

Meaning:
:536:

it speaks of truth.


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Description:
:536

If this hand is shown at the front,

Meaning:
:536:

it means detailed description.


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Description:
:536

If Sandamsa, facing up, is pushed forward,

Meaning:
:536:

it means the root of a lotus.


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Description:
:536

If the same hand is made a bit oblique,

Meaning:
:536:

it denotes a coral bead.


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Description:
:537

If the two Sandamsas are moved from the navel to the hip and the lions,

Meaning:
:537:

it means a wrapper on the body.


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Description:
:537

If Sandamsa is shaken,

Meaning:
:537:

it means a fickle thing.


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Description:
:537

If the two Sandamsas are brought near the mouth,

Meaning:
:537:

it means an utterance.


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Description:
:540

If the two Sandamsas are moved round near the ears, and then with steadfast eyes the hands are brought near the heart,

Meaning:
:540:

the hands signify the Buddha incarnation of Visnu.


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Description:
:541

If Sandamsa is put obliquely and moved from below to near the eyes and then near the ears,

Meaning:
:541:

it is a sidelong glance. This is the view of Subharikara Kavi.


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Description:
:541

If Sandamsa is brought from the eye to the heart,

Meaning:
:541:

it suggests a sleepless state.


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No associated description
:538:

All the subjects from ‘the painting of eyes' to ‘a future event' are to be shown by exhibiting Sandamsa in the connected place and in the proper form.

:539:

Whatever castes and races

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Not included elsewhere
1500 CE - 1600 CE
Nartananirnaya of Sri Pandrika Vitthala Vol. 3 (NN) - R. Sathyanarayana
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Description:
7:90

Wherein the forefinger and thumb of pancasya are joined, it is sandaṁṡa.

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Based upon:

Pañcānana - 7:86

Not included elsewhere
1600 CE - 1650 CE
Saṅgītanārāyaṇa (SN) - Mandakranta Bose
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Description:
3:419-420

When the fingers starting with the middle fingers and the thumb and the forefinger slightly bent at their sides touch at their tips with the palm curved, it is known as sandamsa.  It can be of three types: agraja, mukhaja and parsvaja, defined respectively as pointing forward, towards the face, and sidewise.

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No dependencies
Mentioned by:
Choṭikā
Lekhana
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Description:
3:424

Both hands [in this gesture] facing sideways

Meaning:
3:424:

indicate poverty.


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No associated description
3:421-422:

The agraja sandanisa is used in pulling out a thorn, plucking small flowers and in plucking a flower from its stalk.

3:421-422:

Mukhaja [is used] in applying collyrium [to the eye] with a brush or a pencil.

3:421-422:

Parsvaja [is used] in examining gems, pearls and corals, in piercing gems, in speaking the truth, in enacting meditation and in finding out the three transcedent qualities, this hand is used.

3:424:

It is [also] used in painting and in preparing lac-dye.

3:541-543:

while number nine is indicated by sandamsa

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Related Combinations

1100 CE - 1200 CE
Nandikeśvara's Abhinaya Darpaṇam, 3rd edition (AD) - Dr. Manomohan Ghosh
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Contents:
1:232-233

Mother: If Ardhacandra is held by the left hand and Sandamsa by the right one, and the left hand is turned round over the belly, the result will be the mother hands.  Use: It is used to denote a mother and a virgin.

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Contents:
1:236-237

Mother-in-law; If Hamsasya is held by the right hand at the throat, and Sandamsa is held by the right one, and the left hand is afterwards rubbed round the belly, the result will be the mother-in-law hands.

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Contents:
1:237-238

Father-in-law: If in the right hand of the mother-in- law hands, Sikhara is held, the result is the father-in-law hands.

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Contents:
1:241-242

Son: If one holds the Sandamsa on the belly and moves it afterwards and holds the Sikhara by his left hand, the son’s hands result.

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Contents:
1:242-243

Daughter-in-law: If after showing the son’s hands one shows with the right hand the gesture expressing a woman (i. e., Mrgasirsa), then the result will be the daughter-in-law’s hands.