Bharata Natyam
Elizabeth Kelly
Nṛtyavinōda of Mānasôllāsa: Saṃyuta Hasta (Double Hand Gestures)
1126 CE - 1234 CE - by Someśvara III
Saṃyuta Hasta - Double Hand Gestures
Nṛtyavinōda of Mānasôllāsa - Language: Sanskrit
This a great text for everything. It's written in the Western Chalukyan dynasty which is in modern day Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. This a truly broad and yet detailed text covering a number of elements of life at this time. One volume of this set of tomes is the Nṛtyavinōda. It returns to the same type of format of the Natya Sastra in that lists sets of movements of each part of the body with descriptions of how to execute them and what they mean.
Descriptions and Meanings
The Nṛtyavinōda of Mānasôllāsa, A Study
4:1211-1213
4:1211-1213
4:1211-1213
Añjali: The thumb, the fingers and the palm of the Sarpasirsa Hasta are joined together.
4:1211-1213
This Hasta is used to depict saluting or venerating deities and preceptors,
The Nṛtyavinōda of Mānasôllāsa, A Study
4:1213-1215
4:1213-1215
4:1213-1215
Kapota The palms and the fingers of the hands which are in Pataka Hasta are joined together.
4:1213-1215
This Hasta is used to depict beseeching the deities, humility, joy and paying heed to the advice of elders,
The Nṛtyavinōda of Mānasôllāsa, A Study
4:1215-1217
4:1215-1217
4:1215-1217
Karkaṭa: The fingers are interlocked either within the palm or without.
4:1215-1217
The Hasta when done with the fingers inside is used to depict anxiety. When done with fingers outside, it is used to depict yawning after awakening, blowing instruments like the conch and surprise.
The Nṛtyavinōda of Mānasôllāsa, A Study
4:1217-1219
4:1217-1219
4:1241-1241
4:1217-1219
Svastika: The two hands which are in Arala Hasta face upwards and are joined at the wrists.
4:1217-1219
This Hasta is used to depict listening intently to musical notes, sky, objects which are high up and expansive,
4:1241-1241
Svastika: The two hands which are in Haṁsapakṣa Hasta are crossed at the wrists. They may point either upwards or downwards.
The Nṛtyavinōda of Mānasôllāsa, A Study
4:1225-1227
4:1225-1227
4:1225-1227
Dōla: The hands which are in Pataka Hasta are stretched straight down and the shoulders are relaxed.
4:1225-1227
This Hasta is used to depict fatigue, grief, swooning, intoxication, sorrow and fear,
The Nṛtyavinōda of Mānasôllāsa, A Study
4:1227-1229
4:1227-1229
4:1227-1229
Puṣpapuṭa: The two hands which are in Sarpasirsa Hasta are joined on the side of their little fingers.
4:1227-1229
This Hasta is used to depict giving flowers, grain or water, begging and making offering to the deities,
The Nṛtyavinōda of Mānasôllāsa, A Study
4:1221-1223
4:1221-1223
4:1221-1223
Utsaṅga: The two hands which are in Sarpasirsa Hasta are crossed and made to rest on opposite shoulders.
4:1221-1223
This Hasta is used to depict embracing, anger, cold, bashfulness and women,
The Nṛtyavinōda of Mānasôllāsa, A Study
4:1219-1221
4:1219-1221
4:1219-1221
Khaṭakāvardhamānakah The hands which are in Khatakamukha Hasta are kept close and face each other.
4:1219-1221
This Hasta is used to depict decorating the stage, making garlands and speaking the truth,
The Nṛtyavinōda of Mānasôllāsa, A Study
4:1234-1236
4:1234-1236
4:1234-1236
Avahittha: The hands which are in Sukatunda Hasta are held facing the chest and are then turned downwards and lowered.
4:1234-1236
This Hasta is used to depict leanness of the body and a lady speaking in anxiety.
The Nṛtyavinōda of Mānasôllāsa, A Study
4:1232-1234
4:1232-1234
4:1232-1234
Gajadanta: The elbows are bent and joined to the sides evenly. The hands are in Sarpaslrsa Hasta.
4:1232-1234
This Hasta is used to depict women alighting from a vehicle, carrying children and uprooting a rock,
The Nṛtyavinōda of Mānasôllāsa, A Study
4:1223-1225
4:1223-1225
4:1223-1225
Niṣadha: One hand in Kapittha Hasta encircles the other hand which is in Mukula Hasta.
4:1223-1225
This Hasta is used to depict collecting, discriminating, speaking the truth and squeezing,
The Nṛtyavinōda of Mānasôllāsa, A Study
4:1229-1232
4:1229-1232
4:1229-1232
Makara: The two hands which are in Patāka Hasta face opposite directions and are joined at the wrists.
4:1229-1232
This Hasta is used to depict using weapons in war. The same Hasta with the fingers separated and pointing upwards is used to show a blossoming lotus flower. When held sideways it is used to depict children in salutation and short objects.
The Nṛtyavinōda of Mānasôllāsa, A Study
4:1236-1237
4:1236-1237
4:1236-1237
Vardhamāna: The hands which are in the Mrgasirsa Hasta are crossed.
4:1236-1237
This Hasta is used to depict opening doors, windows and the like,