Bharata Natyam
Elizabeth Kelly
Mushṭi
Asaṃyuta Hasta - Single Hand Gestures
Descriptions and Meanings
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9
9
The finger tips touch the palm and the thumb presses down on the middle finger.
Meaning:
9:
9:
This mudra suggests holding of weapons, striking, etc.
Ṡikhara
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9:54
9:54
Muṣṭi (fist like). If the ends of the fingers are kept close to the palm and the thumb is placed above them it is termed Musti.
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9:55:
9:55:
This hand is applicable in regard to the representation of striking, exercising (fighting), setting out, pressing (milk from the udders of cow etc), massaging, grasping of swords, lances and clubs etc.
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9:54-55
9:54-55
Muṣṭi (fist—fingers have their ends [bent] into the palm and the thumb [is set] upon them.
Meaning:
9:54-55:
9:54-55:
It is used to represent beating, exercise exit, pressing, shampooing, grasping sword and holding spears and clubs.
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26:27
26:27
When front part of the fingers are bent in to the palm and the thumb is set on them, it is called Muṣṭi.
Meaning:
26:28:
26:28:
It is used in giving a blow, physical exercise, pressing hard the breast, firmly holding the sword and the stick and in seizing a spear and a staff.
Kapittha
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1
When the side of the forefinger touches the thumb and all other fingers are bent, it is known as Musti.
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these are samyutuhastas
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Charioteer, salvation, beauty, goodness, ghost, binding, worthiness, status, ankle, pulling, whisk, Lord Yama (Deity in charge of death) mud, medicinal herb, bow, swing, charity, circumambulation, mining, giving up/sacrifice, spear, valour, heat, scatter/to sow, to give birth
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Asamyuta Musti
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is used to show synonyms of in vain, to indicate superlative, synonyms of shame, minister, violation, suffering, to give permission, victory, bow, we, one, worn out, to steal, related to food.
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Mushṭi (fist): the four fingers are bent into the palm, and the thumb set on them.
Meaning:
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steadiness, grasping the hair, holding things, wrestling.
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According to another book: the thumb placed on the middle finger, and the fingers closed. It originates from Vishnu, who used this hand when he fought with Madhu. Its sage is Indra, colour indigo, race Sudra, patron deity the moon.
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grasping, waist, fruit, agreement, saying “Very well”, sacrificial offer¬ings, greeting common people, carrying away, strong hold, holding a book, running, lightness, wrestling, holding a shield, holding the hair, fisticuffs, grasping a mace or spear, indigo colour, Sudra caste.
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1:116-117
1:116-117
Muṣṭi (fist): When the four fingers are bent into the palm and the thumb is set on them, that hand is called Muṣṭi.
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1:117-118:
1:117-118:
It is used to denote steadfastness, grasping the hair, holding things, and the fighting mood of wrestlers.
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7:288-289
7:288-289
When the four fingers, close together, are bent into the palm and the thumb is set on them, then it is Mushṭi hasta (Mushṭi = fist).
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7:288-289:
7:288-289:
Mushṭi hasta is used to denote the following: steadiness, grasping the hair, firmness, holding things etc. and wrestling
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7:290-294
7:290-294
When all the four fingers are bent into the palm and the thumb is placed on the middle finger thus forming a mushti i.e., first, it is called Mushṭi hasta.
Meaning:
7:290-294:
7:290-294:
Mushṭi hasta is used to denote the following: support or grasping, without bias or waist, fruit, symbol or agreement, saying 'very well' or 'be careful, sacrificial offerings, greeting by common people, massage of thighs or a strong hold, holding a bell,running fast, expertise or lightness, wrestling, holding a shield etc., firmness, holding the hair, fisticuffs, holding a mace - spear etc., blue colour and Sūdra race.
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4:1199-1202
4:1199-1202
Muṣṭi: The fingers touch the palm and the thumb is placed on them; alternately, the thumb is placed over which the fingers are closed.
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4:1199-1202:
This Hasta is used to depict running, beating and holding a sword or a bow. The second type is used to depict milking, wrestling and beating the sides,
Sūçī (Sūçīmukha)
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7:58
7:58
Muṣṭikara: If the tips of forefingers etc. are put on the palm and the thumb is kept upon them it is muṣṭikara.
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7:58:
7:58:
It is to be used to show hitting, taking sword and wringing dry etc.
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2:145
2:145
If the thumb of sikhara hasta grips the middle finger, it becomes Muṣṭi.
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2:145:
2:146:
2:145:
It is used to hold a sword, brick, etc.
2:146:
In boxing, pressing the body, squeezing the juice out; milking etc. the thumb can also be tucked under the fingers for this hasta.
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:38
:38
When all the four fingers are formed into a fist on the palm and the thumb is placed over them, it becomes Mustika.
Meaning:
:357:
:357:
From ‘an impure woman’ to Kirata same movement (of the left Mustika} as of the hand for ‘abandonment’ is prescribed. The same movement is to be applied in the four subjects from ‘the autumnal season’ onwards.
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:354
:354
If Mustika is moved downwards or to the front,
Meaning:
:354:
:354:
it means dealing a blow.
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:354
:354
If the hasta moves from top to the lap,
Meaning:
:354:
:354:
it denotes the breaking of branches of trees.
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:355
:355
If Mustika is placed and rubbed on the heart,
Meaning:
:355:
:355:
it suggests the touching of the breasts.
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:356
:356
If the left Mustika is dashed up,
Meaning:
:356:
:356:
it means a woman in love quarrel with her husband.
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:356
:356
If Mustika is taken down from the breast to a lower position,
Meaning:
:356:
:356:
it means abandonment.
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:356
:356
If Mustika is shaken swiftly on the right and on the left,
Meaning:
:356:
:356:
it means squeezing of the body.
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:358
:358
If the two Mustikas are placed on the mouth,
Meaning:
:358:
:358:
they indicate the sound of a conch.
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:358
:358
If the right Mustika is brought near the ears,
Meaning:
:358:
:358:
it means other sounds.
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:359
:359
If the two Mustikas strike the head one after the other,
Meaning:
:359:
:359:
it is striking on the head.
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:359
:359
If Mustika touches the head,
Meaning:
:359:
:359:
it means the head.
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:359
:359
If Mustika touches the heart,
Meaning:
:359:
:359:
it means the breast. It also means a creeper.
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:359 If the two Mustikas are first put together and then separated,
:359 If the two Mustikas are first put together and then separated,
Meaning:
:359:
:359:
it means the removing of a thing or person.
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:360
:360
If the two Mustikas are obliquely raised,
Meaning:
:360:
:360:
it means paddy or mudga bean or (husked) rice. When the hasta is demonstrated in forms like things from ‘a club’ to ‘an iron javelin’, it severally denotes those things.
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:361
:361
When a Mustika moves near the shoulder,
Meaning:
:361:
:361:
it indicates the taking up of the sheath of a sword.
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:361
:361
If the two Mustikas are extended to the front—one and then the other,
Meaning:
:361:
:361:
it means the fighting of wrestlers.
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:362
:362
If Mustika is stiffened up,
Meaning:
:362:
:362:
it is admitted by all to be a fist.
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:362
:362
If the right Mustika is brought near the eye,
Meaning:
:362:
:362:
it indicates sleeping.
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:362
:362
If the left Mustika is brought near the eye,
Meaning:
:362:
:362:
it suggests darkness.
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:363
:363
If Mustika is raised from below to an upper position,
Meaning:
:363:
:363:
it means a mendicant’s kamandalu pot. All the subjects, beginning with ‘effort’ and ending in ‘seeing a thing’ are to be demonstrated with Mustika, being placed in proper forms and places.
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:364
:364
If Mustika is placed at the front,
Meaning:
:364:
:364:
it means a firm thing. It means a measured thing.
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:364
:364
If the left Mustika is raised high, the right Mustika is pushed forward obliquely, and the dancer makes grimaces, etc.,
Meaning:
:364:
:364:
it is a hero.
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:365
:365
If the two Mustikas are brought from the front to the back as if extending a coarse cloth for sleeping,
Meaning:
:365:
:365:
it means such a cloth.
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:365
:365
If the two Mustikas are moved up and down,
Meaning:
:365:
:365:
the experts in dance would take it to mean milking (of a cow)
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:366
:366
If the right Mustika is moved shakingly with a smile from near the chin to the cheeks,
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:366:
:366:
it is a smile.
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7:99
7:99
[In] musti the finger (inner) surfaces and finger tips surround the thumb.
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Varāhamukha
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3:363
3:363
When the fingertips rest close to the end of the palm, touching at the joints with the middle finger being pressed by the thumb, it is known as musti.
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3:364
3:364
Paksadhara, however [holds that], In mustika hand, all the fingers touch the middle of the palm being pressed by the thumb, or the thumb is under [the fingers].
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3:365-366
3:365-366
The thumb is held forward
Meaning:
3:365-366:
3:365-366:
to indicate running and the thumb is pressed to indicate a bow.
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3:365-366
3:365-366
the thumb goes in the middle.
Meaning:
3:365-366:
3:365-366:
In milking [a cow] and in wrestling,
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It is used in beating, exercise, squeezing the breasts very hard, holding a sword or a stick, also a staff or a spear.
3:365-366:In extracting juice from something or also in squeezing the juice out [musti is used].
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Related Combinations
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Widowhood, copulation, battle, Sri Rama, giving away a virgin in marriage - these five meanings are shown by both Kataka and Musti.
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and Vidyadhara (Celestial being) should be shown by both Kartarimukha and Musti.
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Yaksa (celestial beings who are subordinates of Kubera, the deity of wealth) should be shown by both Hamsapaksa and Musti
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Yajna - Pallava and Musti.
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Truth and Dharma - Kataka and Musti,
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Father and commander in - chief - Mudrakhya and Musti.
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Matter, wife, wedding – Mukula, Musti,
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destruction / annihilation - a variety of Musti,
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Valour - Musti in both the hands close together
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torture / violence/killing and obstacle- Pataka and Musti.
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the middle part should be shown by both Ardhacandra and Musti,
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1:220
1:220
Vamanai If the left hand holds Musti up and the right hand also holds Musti but downwards, the result will be Vamana’s hands.
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1:224
Balarama: If Pataka is held by the right hand and the Musti by the left one, the result will be Balarama’s hands.
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:252
:252
Mars: If Suci is shown by the left hand and Musti by the right one, Mars’s hands are produced.
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:253
:253
Mercury: If Musti is horizontally held by the left hand and Pataka by the right one, then Mercury’s hands are produced.
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:255
:255
Venus: To hold Musti with both hands and to keep the left hand high up and the right one down, will make Venus’s hands.