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Hasta Mudra (Hand Gestures) Part 3 - Deva Hasta

Deva Mudras are an integral part of learning Indian Classical dance. These mudras are taught at a very early age to the students in order to achieve fluency. Abhinayadarpana talks about deva hastas. These hastas are not only used in depicting Gods and Goddessess during a play or dance, it is also used for sculptures of these deities. Natyashastra talks about how to decorate the stage.  Bharata also talks about which corner/ side of stage belongs to which God. This concept is extensively used in Vastu Shastra and Agama Shastra. These are called Deva Hastas and AshtaDikpal Hastas. 

 

Sl No.

Deity

Right

Left

1.

Bhrama

Hamsasya (Chest Level)

Chaturam (Facing Upward, chest level)

2.

Vishnu

Tripataka at waist level

Tripataka at waist level

3.

Shiva

Tripataka (at the side of the ear)

Simhamukham ((at the side of the ear)

4.

Saraswati

Kapitham (head level, facing inward)

Soochi (waist level pointing at left hand)

5.

Lakshmi

Kapitham (ear level)

Kapitham (ear level)

6.

Parvathi

Ardhachandra (facing front at chest level)

Ardhachandra (facing front at waist level, inverted)

7.

Ganesha

Kapitham on thighs inverted

Shikhara at chest level

8.

Kartike

Shikhara at chest level

Trisulam at chest level

9.

Kamadeva

Kathakamukham at chest level

Shikhara at chest level

10.

Indra

Tripataka  Swastika in both hands above head

11.

Agni (S-East)

Tripataka

Kangula

12.

Yama (South)

Soochi

Pasa

13.

Niruthi (S-West)

Khatva (R) and Sakata (L)

14.

Varuna/ Vayu (West)

Pataka

Shikhara

15.

Vayu (North West)

Arala

Ardhapataka

16.

Kuvera (North)

Mushthi

Alapadma

17.

Eshan (N– West)

Triataka

Mushtika





Deva/Devi
Left Hand
Right Hand
Brahma
Chatura
Hamsasya
Vishnu
Tripataka
Tripataka
Shiva
Simhamukham
Tripataka
Saraswathi
Kapaitham
Suchi
Lakshmi
Kapaitham (facing the sky)
Kapaitham (facing the sky)
Parvathi
ArdhaChandra (inverted)
ArdhaChandra
Ganesha
Kapaitham (facing down)
Kapaitham (facing down)
Karthike
Trishula
Shikara
Kamadeba
Shikara
Kathakamukham


Shiva Hasta : Shiva, the last one of the tridevas is depictaed as Yogi. He is the first know Yogi as per the texts. He is the destroyer. He do not possess any luxurious item. Describe as one with pale complexion, with blue in his neck and a third eye representing (divine wisdom & foresight). He
is always seen in meditative sitting posture or dancing poses. Lord Shiva is shown Simhamukham hasta in the left hand and tripataka hasta in the right hand. His body is covered with ashes and his body is ornamented with snakes. He is know to possess the knowledge of Medical Powers .He is known to be the best dancer in the world. Ganga flows from his chunks of hair and he holds a crescent on his head.

Next in the list is that of the feminine power. Under this group we have 3 main Godessess as per Nandikeswara and addition have been made afterwards.These are commonly known as Devi Hastas. The main 3 Devi hastas are that of Parvati, Saraswathi and Lakshmi. Addition like that of
Meenakshi, Andal, Lalitha, Velli, Deviyani, Mukhambi have been done at much later stage. For the benefit of the students we should discuss this brief.

Parvathi : Nandikeshwara writes the below slokam  which means that both the hands needs to be hold in Ardha Chandra position. She is considered as the supreme power of femininity. The other form of her is Godesses Kali. Though not included in the original text many scholars are of opinion to make it a part of the Devi Hastas. Her carrier is Lion.

Urdhvardaha prasutavardhachandrakhyo vamadakshinau|    
d Abhayo varadachaiva parvaryah kara iritah||

 Lakshmi : She is considered as the goddesses of Wealth and Prosperity. Her husband is Lord Vishnu. Her four hand suggests 4 principal goals of like viz. Dharma, Kama, Artha and Moksha. It is believed that a human life is satisfied only if all these four virtues are found in balance in once’s life. Lakshmi represented by holding both hands in kapitta hasta close to the bosom. Her arrier is a white Owl.

                      Amsopakanthe hasta bhyam kapityashtu shriyaha karaha ||

Saraswathi : She is shown by holding suchi hasta in the right hand near the chest and the left hand in kapitta hasta raised above shoulder level.She is normally shown with veena (musical instrument) in her hand. Her carrier is a White Swan. In her four hands she hold veena with two and rosary and 4 vedas in other two hands.

 Sucikrte daksine ardhacandre vamakare tatha|                                                                                       Sarasvatyah karah proktah bhartagdamavedibhih ||


Next in the list is the Adi devas, These are the groups of devas that governs the nature. Historians believe that ancient Hindus worshiped the uncontrolled forces of nature and would give luxurious offerings to make the GODS happy. There is a debate among the historian on which group these Gods fall under. While some call them the ADI Deva many call them the Nava Sandhi including Bhrama in the center. In addition to this Akasham was taken as another side. The ten directions are implied in the name -Dasha Dwisha. It is believed that during a dance performance these Gods are in charge of the 9 sides of the stage.

In addition to this there are 3  important gods mentioned in Abhinaya Darpana by Nandikeshwara. These hand gestures are to be practiced thoroughly in order to understand the true base of NatyaShastra.
Kamadeva or Manmatha : He is the ancient Indian cupid who induces lusty desires in our minds. His bow is made of Sugarcane with a string of honey bees, the arrows are decorated with 5 fragnents. By holding right hand in Katakamukha and the left hand in Shikhara hasta manmatha is represented.

                                vame karetu shikharau dakshine katakamukhaha 
                                manmatahsya karaha natyashastrartha kovadaihi

Muruhgan : He carrys a spear in one hand and the other hand is always blessing the devotees.
His vehicle is a peacock that is in grip of a serpent.  . Kartikeya is dipicted by holding left hand
in Trishula hasta and right hand in Shikhara hasta

                               vame kare trishulashcya shikharo dakshine kar
                                urdhvam gate  shanmukhasya hastaha syaditi kiritaha

Ganesha : He is depicted by kapitta hasta in the right hand, while the same hasta is held in the left hand, but facing downwards. . In the shiva purana it is said that Goddess parvati created ganesha out of the dirt of her body while bathing and assigned the task of guarding until she finishes her bath. Meanwhile lord shiva returned and was furious as he saw a stranger boy would not let him enter. In anger he cut off the boys head. Now parvati was grief struck and pleaded to bring back her son’s life. Thus shiva ordered his men to bring the head of a sleeping being who faced the north. As such they could find only an elephants head. Shiva restored the boys life and declared him as Ganapati (leader of his troops or ganas). This elephant headed god rides on a mouse. He is said to be a god of Wisdom and success and worshiped as one who removes obstacles of his devotees.

urogatabhyayam hastabhyam kapittyo vignaratakaraha






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