Asamyuta Hastas 11

Asamyuta Hastas (one-hand gesture)

This page describes the different hand gestures used in Bharathanatyam. Hastas / Mudras (hand gestures) are primarily classified as 28 Asamyuta Hastas (one-hand gesture) and 24 Samyuta Hastas (two-hand gestures).

Each of the hastas can be used to denote various thoughts, ideas and objects. There are various slokas (verses) from the ancient texts that enumerate the usage of the hastas. These are called Viniyoga Slokas. Apart from the suggested viniyogas, the dancer may innovate, if found necessary, to convey the appropriate message to the audience.

[1] Pataakam [flag]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Natyarambhae vaarivahae vanai vastu nishedhanae
Kuchasthalae nishayam cha nadyam amaramandalae
Turangae khandanae vayo shayanae gamanodyamae
Pratapae cha prasadae cha chandrikayam Ghana tapae
Kavaadapaatanae saptavibhaktyarthae tharangae
Veedi praveshabhavepi samatvae cha angaragakae
Aatmarthae shapathae chapae thooshnim bhava nidharshanae
Thaalapatrae cha kheitae cha dravyadi sparshanae thatha
Aashirvadaekriyayam cha nrupa sreshtasya
Thatra Thatreti vachanae sindhyo cha sukruthikramae
Sambhodhanae purogaepae khadgarupasya dharanae
Masae samvathsarae varsha dinae sammarjanae thatha
Yevamardhyeshu yujanthae pataaka hasta bhavanaha

Sloka Translation:

Natyarambhae	Beginning of the dance
Vaarivahae	Rain clouds
Vanai	Forest
Vastu nishedhanae	To deny, object, avoid
Kuchasthalae	Bossom
Nisha	Night
Nadyam	River
Amaramandalae	Heaven
Thurangae	Horse
Khandanae	Cutting
Vayo	Wind
Shayanae	Sleeping
Gamanodhyamae	Walking
Prataapae	Show power
Prasaadae	Bless
Chandrika	Moon light
Ghana tapae	Strong sunlight
Kavaadapaatana	Opening & closing door
Sapthavibhakthiyarthaae	Mentioning of the seven cases
Tharangae	Waves
Veedi pravesha	Entering a street
Samatvae	Equality
Anga ragakae	Massaging or applying sandal paste
Aathmarthae	Oneself
Shapathae	Take an oath
Thooshnim bhava nidharshanam	Silence, Secret act
Thaala patrae	Palm leaf, write letter
Kheitae	Shield
Dravyadis sparshanae	Touching things
Ashirvadae	Blessing
Nrupa sreshtasya	Powerful king
Thathra Tatreti vachanae	To say ‘this’ or ‘that’
Sindhyo	Ocean
Sukrithikramae	To be good
Sambhodhanam	Address someone
Purogaipae	To move forward
Khadga	Sword
Roopasya	Form
Dharanae	To wear
Masae	Month
Samvathsarae	Year
Varsha dinae	Rainy day
Sammarjanae	To sweep

 

[2] Tripataakam [Three (parts of a) flag]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Makutae vrikshabhaavecha Vajrae Thaddharavasavae
Ketakae kusumae Deepae Vanhijwalavigrumbhanae
Kapoothae patralekhayaam Baanaarthae parivarthanae
Yujyathae Tripatzakoyaam Kathithou Bharatamuthamaihi

Sloka Translation:

Makutae	Crown
Vriksha	Tree
Vajrae	Thunderbolt
Thaddharavasavae	Lord Indra
Ketakae kusumae	A kind of flower
Vanhijwalavi grumbhanae	To show flames
Kapothae	Pigeon
Patralekhayam	Drawing patterns on face or chest
Baanaarthae	Shooting arrow
Parivarthanae	Circling

 

[3] Ardhapataakam [Half flag]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Pallavae phalakae theerae Ubhayorithivachakae
Krakachae Churikayam cha dhwajae gopura shringayoho
Yujyathae ardhapataakoyam Thathatkarmaprayogakae

Sloka Translation:

Pallavae	Leaves
Phalakae	Writing pad
Theerae	Bank of a river
Ubhayorithi vachakae	To say Both
Krakachae	Saw
Churikayam	Knife
Dhwajae	Flag
Gopura	Gopuram of a Temple
Shringayoho	Horns

 

[4] Kartari Mukham [Scissors face]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Shtripum-sayoosthu-vishlasya
Viparyaa-sapaday-pivaaLuntana
Nayana-amtham Marana Bheda-bhavana
Vidhyu-dartha Api-yekashiyaa-viraha Patana Latayan
Yujathay Yasthu Sakara Kartarimukhaa

Sloka Translation:

Shtripum sayoosthu vishlasya	Separation of man and women
Viparyaa sapaday pivaa	Opposition or overturning
Luntana	Stealing or rolling
Nayana-amtham	Corner of the eye
Marana	Death
Bheda-bhavana	Disagreement
Vidhyu-dartha	Lightning
Api-yekashiyaa-viraha	Married couple fights and separate / In separation from the loved one
Patana	To fall down
Latayan	A creeper

 

[5] Mayura [Peacock]

Viniyoga Sloka
Mayurasyam Latayancha Shakuna Vamana
Alakashyapa Nayana Lalaata-Tilakam-Shucha
Nadyu-Ddakasya-Niksheypam Shastra-Vaada Prasi-Dhaka
Evamarteshu Yujyanthe MayuraKara Bhaavanaaha

Sloka Translation:

Mayurasyam	Peacock
Latayancha	A creeper vine climbing
Shakuna	Bird of Omen
Vamana	Vomiting
Alakashyapa	Moving the hair/Decorating the forehead
Nayana	Eye, putting Kajal
Lalaata-Tilakam-Shucha	Putting Tilak mark on forehead
Nadyu-Ddakasya-Niksheypam	Sprinkling water over the head; holy bathing
Shastra-Vaada	Discussing the sastra
Prasi-Dhaka	Very famous

 

[6] Ardha Chandra [Half moon]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Chandray Krishna AshtamiBaaji Gala Hastartha Kepicha
BhalaYudha Devathanam Abishechana Karmani
Bukpathra Chudbava Katyaam Chintayam Athma-Vachakam
Dhyana Prathana Anganam-Sparsha
Prakruthanam Namaskaram Ardha Chandrani Jujyathay

Sloka Translation:

Chandray	Moon
Krishna Ashtami Baaji	8-day of the weaning moon
Gala Hastartha Kepicha	Seizing one by the throat
Bhala Yudha	A spear
Devathanam Abishechana Karmani	Offering to God
Bukpathra	Plate
Chudbava	Origin or Birth
Katyaam	Waist
Chintayam	Thinking / Worrying
Athma Vachakam	Contemplation
Dhyana	Meditation
Prathana	Prayers
Anganam Sparsha	Touching the limbs
Prakruthanam Namaskaram	Greeting common people

Other usages include:

• bangle
• wrist
• mirror
• astonishment
• effort
• intemperance
• entirety
• beating time
• tying up the hair
• supporting the cheek in grief
• elephant ear
• expelling evil
• wiping sweat form the brow
• adolescence
• ability
• consecration
• eye brow
• cloth
• bow
• preeminence
• tightening the griddle
• making a vessel
• the body
• movement of the feet
• carrying a child
• the back
• white color
• Vaisya caste

 

[7] Araala [Bent]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Vishadhyam Amritam Panay Pranchanda Pavana

Sloka Translation:

Vishadhyam Amritam Panay	To drink poison, nectar etc
Pranchanda Pavana	Strong winds (storm, gale etc)

 

[8] Shuka Tundam [parrot’s peak]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Bhaana Prayooga Kunthartha Aalayasyas smridikarma
Marmookthyam Mugrabhava

Sloka Translation:

Bhaana Prayooga	Shooting an arrow
Kunthartha	A Spear
Aalayasyas smridikarma	Remembering the past
Marmookthyam	Mystic feeling
Mugrabhava	Angry Mood

 

[9] Mushti [closed fist]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Shtiram Kachagraha Daartya Vasthvadeenaamcha Dharana
Maliaanam Yudhabava Mushti Hasta Ya Mishyate

Sloka Translation:

Shtiram	Steadiness
Kachagraha	Grasping one’s hair
Daartya	Courage
Vasthvadeenaamcha Dharana	Holding things
Maliaanam Yudhabava	Fighting mood of wrestlers

Other usages include:

• grasping
• waist
• fruit
• agreement
• saying “Very well”
• sacrificial offering
• greeting common people
• carrying away
• string hold
• holding a book
• running
• lightness
• wrestling
• holding a shield
• holding the hair
• grasping a spear

 

[10] Shikharam [peak]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Madhana Kaamuka Sthamba
Nishchaya Pithrukarmani
Oshtra Pravishtaroopa
Radhana Prashnabhavana
Linga Naastheetivachana
Samarana Katibhandhakarshana
Parirambhavidikrama Gantaninadha
Sikhara Jujyate Bharata Dibi

Sloka Translation:

Madhana	Manmatha or Kama, the God of love
Kaamuka	Bow
Sthamba	Pillar
Nishchaya	Certainty
Pithrukarmani	Offering to ancestors
Oshtra	Lips
Pravishtaroopa	To pour liquid
Radhana	Teeth
Prashnabhavana	Questioning
Linga	Shiva Lingam or Phallic symbol
Naastheetivachana	Saying “I don’t know”
Samarana	Recollection Abhinayaanthikam – Intimate suggestion
Katibhandhakarshana	To lighten the waist band
Parirambhavidikrama	Embracing
Gantaninadha	Sounding a bell

 

[11] Kapitham [elephant-apple]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Lakshmyamchiva Saraswatyam Veshtane Taladharane
Godohanechanjanecha Leelattasumadharane
Chelanchaladigrahane Patasyivavakuntane
Dhoopadeepaarchanechapi Kapithasamprayujyate

Sloka Translation:

Lakshmyamchiva	Goddess Lakshmi
Saraswatyam	Goddess Saraswati
Veshtane	Going Around
Taladharane	Holding the cymbals (Tala)
Godohanech	Milking the cows
Anjanecha	Putting eye liners
Leelattasumadharane	Holding Flowers
Chelanchaladigrahane	Holding the Saree(pallu)
Patasyivavakuntane	Draping a cloth on the face
Dhoopadeepaarchanechapi	To Hold Lamp and Incense

 

[12] Katakaa Mukha [opening in a bracelet]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Kusumaapachayae muktasrakdamnam dharanam
Sharamadhyaakarshanam Nagavallipradhanam
Kasturikaadivastunam peshana Gandhavasana
Vachana Drushti yujyathae katakamukha karaha

Sloka Translation:

Kusumaapachayae	Plucking flowers
Muktasrakdamnam dharanam	Wearing a necklace of pearls or flowers
Sharamadhyaakarshanam	Drawing the arrow at the centre of the bow
Nagavallipradhanam	Offering betel leaves
Kasturikaadivastunam peshana	Preparing paste of musk
Gandhavasana	To smell
Vachana	Speak
Drushti	Glancing

 

[13] Suchi [needle]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Ekarthepi arabrahmabhavanayam Shatapicha
Ravou Nagaryam Lokarthe Tathepivachanepicha
Yachabdepichatatchabdhe Vyajanarthepitarjane
Karshye Shalakavapushe Ashcharye Venibhavane
Chatre Samarthe Konecha Romalyam Bheribhedhane
Kulalachakrabhramane Rathange Mandaletatha
Vivechane Dinantecha Suchi Hasta Prakeertithaha

Sloka Translation:

Ekarthepi	Showing Number One
arabrahmabhavanayam	Showing Para Brahma
Shatapicha	To show 100
Ravou	Sun
Nagaryam	City, Universe
Lokarthe Tathepivachanepicha	Saying ‘That’s how it is’
Yachabdepichatatchabdhe	Asking when, why, who, how
Vyajanarthepitarjane	Scaring
Karshye Shalakavapushe	Thin or Skinny
Ashcharye	Wonder
Venibhavane	Showing the hair
Chatre	Umbrella
Samarthe	Capable
Konecha	Room
Romalyam	Excitement
Bheribhedhane	Beating an instrument called Bheri
Kulalachakrabhramane	Showing potter’s Wheel
Rathange	Wheel of a chariot
Mandaletatha	Group of People
Vivechane Dinantecha	Thinking
Suchi Hasta Prakeertithaha	Evening all these are shown using Suchi Hasta

 

[14] Chandrakala [crescent]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Yesha Chandrakalaa chandrakallayame Vyujyate

Sloka Translation:

Yesha Chandrakalaa chandrakallayame Vyujyate

Moon

 

[15] Padmakosha [lotus bud]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Phalae bilwa kapitha
Sthrinam cha kutch kumbhayoh
Avartakae kandukae sthalyam
Bhojanae pushpa koraka
Shakaraphala pushpavarsha
Manjarikaadishu japakusuma
Gantarupavidhanaka valmika
Kamala Anda Ethi padmakoshayo karaha

Sloka Translation:

Phalae bilwa kapitha	Various fruits
strinam cha kutcha kumbhayoh	Round breast of a women
Avartakae	Circular movement
Kandukae	Ball
Sthalyam	Bowl
Bhojanae	Food
Pushpa koraka	Flower garland
Shakaraphala	Mango
Pushpavarsha	Showering flowers
Manjarikadishu	Cluster of flowers
Japakusuma	Hibiscus flower
Japakusuma –Gantarupa vidhanaka	Preparing big bowl of food for elephant or bell shape
Valmika	Ant hill
Kamala	Lotus
Anda	Egg

 

[16] Sarpasheersha [Snake’s hood]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Chandane Bhujage Mande Prokshane Poshanadishu
Devarshudakadaaneshu Hyaspale Gajakumbhayoho
Bhujaasphaletu Mallanaam Yujyate Sarpasheershakaha

Sloka Translation:

Chandane	Sandalwood paste
Bhujage	Snake
Mande	Slow
Prokshane	Sprinkling
Poshanadishu	Caring
Devarshudakadaaneshu Hyaspale	Holy water
Gajakumbhayoho	Elephant’s Forehead
Bhujaasphaletu Mallanaam	To show the muscles of wrestlers
Yujyate Sarpasheershakaha	Sarpasheersha hasta is used

 

[17] Mrugasheersha [Deer’s head]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Streenamarthe Kapolecha Krama Maryadayorapi
Bheete Vivade Nepathye Aavasecha Tripundrake
Mukhamukhe Rangavalyom Paadasamvahanepicha
Sarvasammelanekaarye Mandire Chatradharane
Sopane Padavinyase Priyahvane Tathivacha
Sancharecha Prayujyeta Bharatagamakovidhihi

Sloka Translation:

Streenamarthe	To show Women
Kapolecha	Cheeks
Krama	Way of doing things
Maryadayorapi	To show respect
Bheete	Scare
Vivade	Argument,
Nepathye	Back Stage
Aavasecha	The place of living
Tripundrake	Forehead
Mukhamukhe	Meeting of people
Rangavalyom	Sacred design on the floor
Paadasamvahanepicha	Massaging the feet
Sarvasammelanekaarye	Getting people together
Mandire	House
Chatradharane	Holding an umbrella
Sopane	Stairs
Padavinyase	Gait
Priyahvane Tathivacha	To call the loved one
Sancharecha Prayujyeta Bharatagamakovidhihi	To show Movement this hasta is used

 

[18] Simhamukha [Lion’s face]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Vidrume Mouktikechiva Sugandhe Alakasparshane
Aakarnanecha Prushati Moksharthe Hrudisamstitaha
Home Shashe Gaje Darbhachalane Padmadamini
Simhanane Vaidyapakashodhane Simhavakrakaha

Sloka Translation:

Vidrume	To show Coral
Mouktikechiva	Pearl
Sugandhe	Fragrance
Alakasparshane	Curls
Aakarnanecha	Hearing
Prushati	Point
Moksharthe	Salvation
Hrudisamstitaha	Heart
Home	Sacred fire
Shashe	Rabbit
Gaje	Elephant
Darbhachalane	Sacred Grass
Padmadamini	Flower
Simhanane	Lion’s face
Vaidyapakashodhane	Examining the medicinal preparations
Simhavakrakaha	Simhamukha Hasta is used

 

[19] Kangula [Tail]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Lakuchasya Phale Balakuche Kalharake tatha
Chakore Kramuke Baalakinkinyam Ghutikadike
Chaatake Yujyatechayam Kangoolakaranaamakaha

Sloka Translation:

Lakuchasya Phale	To show Lemon
Balakuche	Breasts of a teenager
Kalharake tatha	Flower called Kalhara
Chakore	A bird called Chakora
Kramuke	Beetle nut
Baalakinkinyam	Jingles
Ghutikadike	Tablets
Chaatake	A bird called Chataka
Yujyatechayam Kangoolakaranaamakaha	Kangoola Hasta is used

 

[20] Alapadma [Lotus in full bloom]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Vikachaabjae Kapitthadiphalae cha
Aavarthakae Kuchae Virahae Mukurae
Poorna-chandrae Sowndarya-bhavanae
Dhamillae Chandrashalayam Gramae Uddhata kopayoho
Tatakae Shakatae Chakravakae Kalakalaravae Shlaganae
So alapadmashcha Keertito Bharatagamae

Sloka Translation:

Vikacha-abja	A fully bloomed lotus
Kapittha-diphala	Wood apple
Aavarthaka	Circular movement
Kucha	Breast
Viraha	Yearning to the beloved
Mukura	Mirror
Poorna-chandra	Full moon
Sowndarya bhavana	Beautiful form
Dhamilla	Hair-knot
Chandra-shala	Moon pavilion
Grama	Village
Uddhathakopa	Great anger
Tataka	Pond or lake
Shakata	Cart
Chakravaka	Type of bird
Kala-kalarava	Murmuring sound
Shlagana	Praise

 

[21] Chatura [Square]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Kastooryam kinchidapyarthae
Swarnataamraadi lohakae
Aardrae khede rasaaswasae lochanae varnabhedakae
Pramanae sarasae mandhagamanae shakaleekrutae
Aasanae ghruta tailadao yujyatae chaturakaraha

Sloka Translation:

Kastooryaam	Fragrance from kastoori
Kinchidapyarthe	Show small quantity
Swarnataamraadilohake	Gold and other metals
Aardre	Wetness
Khede	Sadness
Rasaaswade	Taste
Lochane	Eye
Varnabhedake	Differentiate color
Pramane	Promise
Sarase	Romance
Mandhagamane	Slow movement
Shakaleekrute	Breaking
Aasane	Seated
Ghruta	Molten butter
Tailadou	Oil

 

[22] Bhramara [Bee, Beetle]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Bhramarecha shukae yogae
SarasaeKokiladishu bhramarakhyascha
Hastoyam Keerthitho Bharatagamae

Sloka Translation:

Bhramarecha	Show honey bee
Shukae	Parrot
Yogae	Meditation
SarasaeKokiladishu	Show birds like kokila sarasa

 

[23] Hamsasya [Swan – beak]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Mangalyasutra bandhechapyupadesha
Vinishchayae Romanchae mouktikadoucha
Chitrasamlekhanae thatha
Damshathua jalabindoucha
Deepavartiprasaranae
Nikashae shodhanae mallikadou cha
Rekhavalekhanae malayaamvahanae
Sohambhavanayancha Roopakae
Naasteetivachanechapi Nikashanamchabhavane
Krutakrutyepi Hamsasyaha Eerito Bharatagame

Sloka Translation:

Mangalyasootrabandhe	Tying the sacred thread of marriage
Upadeshe	Advice
Vinishchaye	Decision
Romanche	Excitement
Mouktikadoucha	Pearls & other precious stones
Chitrasamlekhane tatha	Drawing
Damshetu	Fly
Jalabindoucha	Drop of water
Deepavarteeprasarane	Wick of the lamp
Nikashe	Polishing
Shodhane	Searching
Mallikadou	Jasmine & other flowers
Rekhavalekhane	Drawing a line
Malayaamvahane	Holding garland
Sohambhavanayancha Roopake	To say ‘i am Brahma’
Naasteetivachanechapi	Saying ‘No’
Nikashanamchabhavane	Looking at the polished article

 

[24] Hamsapaksha [Swan – wing]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Shatsankhyayaam Setubandhe
Nakharakankhanetatha Vidhane
Hamsapakshoyam Keertito Bharatagame

Sloka Translation:

Shatsankhyayaam	To show number 6
Setubandhe	Bridge
Nakharakankhanetatha	Impression of the nails
Vidhane	Way of doing thing

 

[25] Samdamsha [Pincers]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Udaare Balidanecha
Vranae Keetae Manobhaye
Archane Panchavakravye
Samdamshakyobhidheeyate

Sloka Translation:

Udaare	To show Generosity
Balidanecha	Sacrificial Offering
Vranae	Wound
Keetae	Insects
Manobhaye	Fear
Archane	Offering
Panchavakravye	Number 5

 

[26] Mukula [Bud]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Kumudae bhojanae
Panchabanae mudradi dharanae
Nabhao cha kadalipushpae
Yujyathae mukula karaha

Sloka Translation:

Kumudae	To show the flower Lily
Bhojanae	Eating
Panchabane	Cupid, angel
Mudradidharane	Smearing sacred marks on the body
Naabhoucha	Belly button
Kadaleepushpe	Banana Flower

 

[27] Tamrachooda [Rooster]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Kukkutadou bakae kaakae
Ushtrae vatsae cha lekhanae
TaamrachoodaKarakhyasou
Keertitou Bharatagame

Sloka Translation:

Kukkutadou	To show Rooster
Bakae	A bird called Baka
Kaake	Crow
Ushtre	Camel
Vatsecha	Calf
Lekhane	to show letters

 

[28] Trishoola [Trident]

 

Viniyoga Sloka
Bilwa patrae tritwayuktae
Trishoola karaeritaha

Sloka Translation:

Bilwapatre	To show a leaf called Bilwa
Tritwayukte	To show the number 3

Images credit: Dmitry Rukhlenko

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