Lakshmi Amman's Homepage

Arāla

Asaṃyuta Hasta - Single Hand Gestures

Descriptions and Meanings

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

The thumb is bent, the other fingers are spread out from each other, second finger bent like a bow.

Meaning:
9:

This mudra is used for blessing in the case of males, and for collecting the hair in the case of women; courage, dignity of men and self-admiration by women are also suggested. By forming Swastika with the fingers (of both hands), marriage and other auspicious occasions are suggested.


No dependencies
Mentioned by:
Ṡukatunḍa
Saṁdaṁṡa
200 BCE - 200 CE
The Natya Sastra (NS) - Board of Scholars
Description:
9:45

The index finger is bent like a bow; the thumb is kept curved and the remaining ones separate and turned upwards. In the Arāla hand this is the position of fingers.

Meaning:
9:46:

With this gesture inherent strength, pride, exploit, beauty, surage, divine objects, majesty, blessings and similar pleasing Bhavas are to be represented.


9:47:

Collecting together or scattering and separating the hairs and glancing all over the body as is done by women are also represented through this.


9:50:

Beckoning to others, preventing someone from coming in, creating something, uttering too many words, wiping off perspiration, smelling sweet scents etc. and all auspicious matter (too are to be represented like this),


9:51:

The activities mentioned before as ones to be presented by means of Arāla hands by women equally well Sukatunda. (beak of a parrot).


No dependencies
Mentioned by:
Ṡukatunḍa
Saṁdaṁṡa
Svastika
Utsanga
No associated images
Description:
9:48-49

two Arāla hands waved round each other with fingertips touching so as to form a Svastika

Meaning:
9:48-49:

The initial rites connected with marriage ceremony, the circumambulation of the fire by the couple, etc. People moving round and round, the general assemblage of people in a circle, the object buried under the ground-all these should be represented by the similar hands.


No dependencies
Mentioned by:
Uraḥpārśvārdhamaṇḍala
200 BCE - 200 CE
The Natyasastra, Volume I (NS) - Dr. Manomohan Ghosh
Description:
9:45-50

Arala (bent)—the forefinger curved like a bow, the thumb also curved and the remaining fingers separated and turned upwards.

Meaning:
9:45-50:

With this should be represented courage, pride, prowess, beauty, contentment, heavenly [objects], poise, act of blessing and other favourable states. And this, again, will represent woman’s gathering of hairs or scattering them and looking carefully over their entire body. The preliminaries to the marriage by bride’s going round the bridegroom and [marital] union are to be represented by two Arāla hands moving around each other and their fingers meeting in the form of a Svastika. And with similar hands should be represented circumambulation, round objects, great crowd of men, objects arranged on the ground. In calling any one, in making offering to the manes, saying too many things, in censure and rebuke etc., wiping off sweat and enjoying sweet smell, the Tripatāka hands have been prescribed before by me, but women are to use the Arāla hand to represent these.


400 CE - 500 CE
Visnudharmottarapurana (VDP) - Dr. Priyabala Shah
Description:
26:24

In Arāla hand Pradeśini (fore-finger) is bent like a bow, the thumb is bent and the remaining fingers are separated, raised upwards and then curved.

Meaning:
26:25:

It is used to express profundity, spiritedness, heroism and gathering the hair and wiping the sweat etc.


1000 CE - 1100 CE
Hastalakṣaṇadīpikā (HL) - Sudha E. K.
No associated images
Description:
1

If the thumb touches the middle line of the two finger and the other fingers are bent and held slightly upwards then the hasta is Arala.

Meaning:
1:

There are only five meanings, which are sumyutahastas. They are ignorant, tree, cut ends of plant parts, and bud (the fifth one is not clear).


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
1100 CE - 1200 CE
The Mirror of Gesture (AD) - Ananda Coomaraswamy
Description:
No verse annotation

Arāla (bent): the first finger of the Patāka hand is curved.

Meaning:
No verse annotation:

drinking poison, nectar, etc., or sharp acid.


Description:
No verse annotation

According to another book: the thumb and forefinger of the Patāka hand are curved. It was first used by Agastya in drinking (aposanam krte) the seven seas. Its colour is red, its race mixed, its patron deity Vasudeva — such is its history according to Bharata and others.

Meaning:
No verse annotation:

the sipping of water (aposana) by Brahmanas, benediction, the aversion of a parasite (vita) for his friend, dressing the hair, saying “Come soon!”, circumambulation at morning and evening prayer, wiping sweat from the brow, putting collyrium on the eyes, etc.


1100 CE - 1200 CE
Nandikeśvara's Abhinaya Darpaṇam, 3rd edition (AD) - Dr. Manomohan Ghosh
Description:
1:114

Arāla (bent): When the fore-finger of the Patāka hand is curved, the latter is called Arāla.

Meaning:
1:114:

It is used to denote drinking poison, nectar etc., and violent wind.


Based upon:

Patāka - 1:92-94

Mentioned by:
Ṡukatunḍa
1100 CE - 1200 CE
Abhinaya Darpanam of Nandikeswara (AD) - P.S.R. Apparao
Description:
7:275-276

If the forefinger of Patāka hasta is bent, then it becomes Arāla hasta.

Meaning:
7:275-276:

Arāla hasta is useful in denoting the following: drinking poison or nectar etc., violent wind.


Description:
7:277-281

When the thumb and the forefinger of Patāka hasta are bent, it will become Arāla hasta.

Meaning:
7:277-281:

Arāla hasta is used to denote the following: ritual sipping of water by the brahmins, benediction, aversion of a parasite for the courtesan, dressing the hair, saying 'come soon', circumambulation (clock-wise turn) at morning and evening prayers, wiping out sweat from the forehead, and putting collyrium on the eyes.


1126 CE - 1234 CE
The Nṛtyavinōda of Mānasôllāsa, A Study (NVoM) - Hema Govindarajan
Description:
4:1176-1178

Arāla: The forefinger of the Padmakōṡa Hasta is extended.

Meaning:
4:1176-1178:

This Hasta is used to depict the act of blessing, describing, holding an umbrella or a goad and looking with astonishment,


1138 CE - 1400 CE
Śri Pārśvadeva's Saṅgítasamayasāra (SS) - Dr. M. Vijayalakshmi
Description:
7:47

Arāla: If the forefinger is twisted in the sarpa hasta it is arala.

Meaning:
7:47:

To indicate the blessing, preaching and praising the act of bravery and valor of someone, this sign is used.


1200 CE - 1300 CE
Jāyasenāpativiracita Nṛttaratnāvalī, Volume I (NrtN) - Pappu Venugopala Rao and Yashoda Thakore
No associated images
Description:
2:152

The sarpasirsa hasta is loosened free. The middle and consecutive fingers are raised with a bend in them. This is the arāla hasta.

Meaning:
2:152:

This is used to depict gumption, pride, courage, majesty, light...


2:153:

...removing, fragrance, smelling, wiping sweat, etc. This is apt for touching and raising women’s hair as a sport.


1350 CE - 1550 CE
Śrihastamuktāvali (HM) - Maheswar Neog
Description:
:45

When the thumb and the fore-finger are bent like the two ends of a bow, and the remaining three fingers are extended towards the front, it is Arala hasta.

Meaning:
:461:

A marriage, sport, Laksmi, a writing, a painting, the description of the whole body, a saying, divine beauty, a creeper house,


:462:

the dressing up of hair, costume, etc., the writing of a letter, the eating of leaves, a scent, vital air, the sponging of sweat,


:463:

the acceptance of the hand of a woman, boasting, circumambulation, a great person, a big boat, an air-ship, a royal litter, a moving house,


:464:

a swing, a bed, a bedstead, invocation, ascertainment, trembling, benediction,


:465:

patience, creation, adroitness, graveness of character, beauty, effulgence, strength, the month of Pausa,


:466:

going away, returning, a book, the quiet, outside, a mass of work, a sarika bird, a parrot, a tittibha bird, a khanjana bird,


:467:

a cakora bird, a cataka bird, a kite, a bharadvaja bird, a vartika bird (a variety of sparrow), a barlta dove, a cuckoo, any other small bird,


:468:

any other bigger bird, a horse, a cow, a donkey, a camel, any other animal, a mountain, a tree,


:469:

the eight Nagas, a raksasa ogre, a bhuta devil, the spirit of a dead person, an Asura demon, the dreadful, apisaca spirit, ayaksa,


:470:

the red, the yellow, the white, the black, other colours, a door—in all these Arala hasta is to be applied.


:482:

Whatever subjects have already been described as being indicated by Tripataka hasta can be indicated by Arala—that is the opinion of all persons.


:484:

Arala has to indicate the various symbols, costumes, forms and activities (of the different deities).


:484:

Arala has to indicate the various symbols, costumes, forms and activities (of the different deities).


No associated images
Description:
:471

If the two Aralas are raised to the top and rotated,

Meaning:
:471:

it indicates a marriage.


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
:471

If the right Arala is taken with glee round in the front,

Meaning:
:471:

it means sport.


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
:472

If Arala is raised from the buttocks to the sides,

Meaning:
:472:

it is Laksmi.


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
:472

If the right Arala, facing down, moves from the left to the right,

Meaning:
:472:

it means a sheet of writing. It stands for a painting.


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
:473

If Arala moves forward,

Meaning:
:473:

it means god-like beauty.


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
:473

As Arala touches the different limbs of the body

Meaning:
:473:

it indicates those limbs.


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
:473

If Arala is moved near the mouth,

Meaning:
:473:

it means a statement.


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
:474

If the two Aralas are joined together atop,

Meaning:
:474:

it stands for a creeper house.


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
:474

By moving Arala significantly in different places

Meaning:
:474:

all the subjects from ‘the dressing up of hair, costume, etc.’ to ‘the sponging of sweat’ are indicated.


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
:475

If the two Aralas are brought from the front to the lap,

Meaning:
:475:

it means the acceptance of the hand of a woman.


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
:475

Arala, placed across, facing up and moving up in a circle,

Meaning:
:475:

indicates boasting.


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
:476

If Arala, feeing up, is taken round in the front,

Meaning:
:476:

it means circumambulation; it means a great person.


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
:476

By the two Aralas, joined together,

Meaning:
:476:

are to be indicated the subjects from 'a big boat’ to ‘a bedstead’.


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
:477

By placing Arala in different places and taking different shapes,

Meaning:
:477:

all the subjects from ‘invocation’ to ‘a small bird’ are to be exhibited.


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
:478

With die angahara and gait suitable to a bird,

Meaning:
:478:

a big bird is to be shown, the wise should enact a horse, a cow, a donkey, a camel and other animals by the application of the appropriate angaharas and shapes.


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
:479

If the two Aralas are thrust up apart from each other,

Meaning:
:479:

it means a mountain or a tall tree.


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
:479

By joining the two Aralas, then separating them and shaking them,

Meaning:
:479:

the subjects from ‘the eight Nagas’ to ‘a Yaksa’ are to be shown by the assumption of proper forms.


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
:480

By the wrathful rubbing of the two Aralas with each other,

Meaning:
:480:

the red colour is signified.


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
:480

If the two Aralas, tips are joined above in the air,

Meaning:
:480:

it means the yellow pigment.


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
:481

If Arala, facing up, is rotated in front,

Meaning:
:481:

it is the white colour.


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
:481

If the left Arala is made to face down,

Meaning:
:481:

it is the black colour.


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
:481

By rubbing the fingers

Meaning:
:481:

other colours are indicated.


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
:482

If the two Aralas are joined together by raising the tips of both the hands,

Meaning:
:482:

it is a door.


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
:483

by easefully touching the head with Arala

Meaning:
:483:

All the subjects like ‘the gods’ are to be indicated by salutations and


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
1500 CE - 1600 CE
Nartananirnaya of Sri Pandrika Vitthala Vol. 3 (NN) - R. Sathyanarayana
Description:
7:95

Curving [further] the bent forefinger of catura [gives] arāla.

No associated meanings
1600 CE - 1650 CE
Saṅgītanārāyaṇa (SN) - Mandakranta Bose
Description:
3:355-357

That is known as arala where the thumb is bent like a bow at first, the palm is curved in the middle and the rest of [the fingers] are half bent touching [each other].

Meaning:
3:355-357:

It is used to indicate strength, energy, patience, tenacity, pride, dignity by bringing it up to the head from the navel.


No associated images
Description:
3:356-357

This is placed on the chest

Meaning:
3:356-357:

for benediction and placed outward for ancestral rituals.


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
3:356-357

the hand is moved around twice or thrice.

Meaning:
3:356-357:

To indicate tying or letting down the hair of a woman,


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
3:358-359

[The hand] moves in a circular motion

Meaning:
3:358-359:

to indicate a crowd


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
3:358-359

and the fingers turn downward

Meaning:
3:358-359:

to indicate calling.


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
3:358-359

the [arala] hand is moved around clockwise.

Meaning:
3:358-359:

To circumambulate deities,


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
3:358-359

the finger is stuck out again and again.

Meaning:
3:358-359:

To indicate questions like "Who are you?", "Who am I?" or "What is [our] connec-tion?" suggesting an absence of connection,


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
3:360

by placing the hand on the forehead pointing downwards.

Meaning:
3:360:

It is [also used] in wiping off the perspiration from the forehead


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere
No associated images
Description:
3:360-362

The head is touched with the arala hand bringing it up from the left side.

Meaning:
3:360-362:

This should be used to indicate prowess, salutation and invisibility. It should [also] be noted that it can used in the situations mentioned in the use of tripatāka . For men whatever can be indicated by arala is applied to tripatāka. Simhana views that [gestures] meant for arala apply to women.


No dependencies
Not included elsewhere

Related Combinations

1100 CE - 1200 CE
Nandikeśvara's Abhinaya Darpaṇam, 3rd edition (AD) - Dr. Manomohan Ghosh
No associated images
Contents:
1:214-215

Viiyii: Vayu is to hold Arala with his right hand and Ardhapatiika with the left one.