Hasta Karaṇas -
Natya Sastra - Language: Sanskrit
The earliest available comprehensive work on dramaturgy. It includes dance - and much, much more - describing all aspects of theatrical production, of which dance is a significant part. Earlier works are referenced in literature, but to date, have not been found and/or translated. It is also the foremost source generally cited as the historical reference for all modern classical dance styles. There is a very wide range of dates attributed to the Natya Sastra. The early range of dates are based upon linguistic dating, asserting the time range as 500-300BC because the words, figures of speech, and location names are relevant to that time period, and no longer used at later periods. The later dates of 700-900 AD are an estimate based on linguistically dating the latest chapters in the 36-37 chapters available now. 200BC-200AD seems like a reasonable compromise and is a reasonable bet given that texts after this time seem to build from concepts in this text. The analysis around what date it, or all of its parts, may be deserves its own publication.
Āveṣṭita: When the fingers beginning with the first one (the forefinger) are gradually pointing inwards at the time [the hand] moves round, the Karaṇa [thus produced] is called Āveṣṭita.
Udveṣṭita: When the fingers beginning with the first one [forefingers] are gradually pointing outwards at the time [the hand] moves round, the Karaṇa thus produced is called Udveṣṭita.
Vyavartita: When fingers beginning with the last one (the little finger) are gradually pointing inwards at the time [the hand] moves round, the Karaṇa thus produced is called Vyavartita.
Parivartita: When the fingers beginning with the last one (the little finger) are gradually pointing outwards at the time [the hand] moves round, the Karaṇa thus produced, is called Parivartita.