Hasta Mudra (Hand Gestures) Part 3

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.

Bhrama Hasta : Hindus believe Creation is not a simple task, infact it is not even a one man’s job. Bhrama is know as the Supreme creator. He is the first one of the Supreme Trinity. The entire World is his creation. His colour is considered as pale Red. His picture depicts him as a

widely old man with wisdom. He hold Rosary, Lotus, Vedas and Kamandalu with his four hands. He is said to have written the 4 vedas and his vehicle is a white SWAN. His wife is Godessess Saraswati. He is said to be born from the naval of God Vishu. He is seen always in sitting position depicting the concentration that is required to create. Brahma temples are found outside India, such as in Thailand at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok. He is represented with Left hand holding the Chatura hasta (representing the 4 hands or 4 mouth or the 4 Vedas) and Right hand in Hamsasya hasta (representing holding Rosary and giving boon at the same time).

Sloka for Bhrama, Vishnu and Shiva Hasta
brahmachaturo vame hansasya dakshine karaha hastabhyam tripakastu vishnuhastaha kirtitaha Shambovarmay mrugashirshas tripatakastu dakshine

Vishnu Hasta : He is known as the preserver of the Universe. Ancient Sanskrit text describes him as one who pervades all. He is depicted as dark skinned some time blue skinned with four hands holding Sanka (Corn shell when blown is suppose to create positive vibes), Chakra(representing the circle of time or eternity also a weapon), Gada (Weapon) and Lotus(flower or purity). He is seen either in standing Position or lying posture, which represents either working exhaustively or resting. He sleeps on coiled snake with multi hood or Adi Ananta Sheshnaga (Primal-Limitless-Residue, which is numerically visualized as One-Infinity-Zero) which represents the complexity of life. The Hindu philosophy as a whole have been obsessed with infinity (everything-ness) and zero (nothingness) and with the number one (the beginning). We time and again find mention of rebirth, cyclical time, and a world where there are no boundaries. His dress is luxurious with silk and color yellow representing the Grahasti life. He is shown with two hands holding Tripataka below the navel or rite above the navel.

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.

udhvardaha prasutavardhachandrakhyo vamadakshinauabhayo varadachaiva parvaryaha

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.

Navasindhi Hastas

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

In addition to the above Deva Hastas there are few more that needs to be taught to the students.

Name	Left Hand	Right Hand
Shanmukha Hasta	Trishoola Hasta	Shikhara Hasta
Indra Hasta	Tripataka Hasta	Swastika Hasta
Agni Hasta	Kangoola Hasta	Tripataka Hasta
Yama Hasta	Paasha Hasta	Suchi Hasta
Kubera Hasta	Padmakosha Hasta	Ardhachandra Hasta
Vaayu Hasta	Ardhapataka Hasta	Arala Hasta
Varuna Hasta	Shikhara Hasta	Pataka Hasta
Niruti Hasta	Khatva Hasta	Shakata Hasta