Indian Dancing Mudras

Kataka-mukha Mudra

Kataka-mukha Mudra 
    English: “link in a chain”
         
           Kataka-mukha Mudra is the twelfth hand gesture of the 28 single-hand mudras (Asamyukta Hastas) as described in theAbhinaya Darpana. The mudra is noted in the Natya Shastra as well. According to mythology this mudra originated from Guha when he practiced archery in front ofShiva. Its sage is Bhargava, its race Deva, its color gold, its patron deity Raghu Rama.  
   
           Technique: Bring your thumb together with your index and middle fingers. All fingers stretched and active. Stretch your ring and little fingers upward. Second variation of this mudra is when you maintain Kapitta hand with your thumb and index finger while extanding the middle finger forward and the ring and little fingers upward.

           Application: (Viniyogadenote:) Kusuma-apachaye(“plucking flowers”); Mukta-srak-damnam-dharanam (“wearing a necklace of pearls or flowers”); Sara-madhya-akarshanam (drawing the arrow at the center of the bow”); Nagavalli-pradhanam (“ offering betel leaves”); Kasturika-adivastunam-peshana (“preparing paste for musk etc.”); Gandhavasana (“to smell”); Vachana (“to speak”); Drushti(“glancing”). Additional usages denote: holding a mirror, holding reins, breaking a twig,  cleaning the teeth, plucking flowers, embracing, holding a discuss, holding a fan.

Kapittha "wood-apple"

Kapittha  "wood-apple" 

Kapittha Mudra is the eleventh hand gesture of the 28 single-hand mudras (Asamyutta Hastas) as described in the Abhinaya Darpana. The mudra is also noted in the Natya Sastra, and in Abhinaya Chandrika (as Ankusha).According to mythology this mudra originates from the time the churning of the ocean was done andVishnu used this hand gesture to pull upon Mt.Mandara. Its sage is Narada, its race Rushi, its color smokey-white, its patron deity Padmagarbha (Vishnu). 

           Technique: Curl the little, ring, and middle fingers into your palm. Stretch your thumb by the side of your palm, and cap it with the pad of your index finger directly above the tip of the thumb. 

           Application: Primarily used in dance and theater to create context and express emotional states or specific actions. Viniyoga (the traditional dance and theatre usages described in Abhinaya Darpana and Natya Shastra): Lakshmyam (“Goddess Lakshmi”); Saraswatyam (“Goddess Saraswati”); Veshtane (“winding”); Taladharana (“holding cymbals”);Godohanam (“milking cowas”); Anjanam (applying collytium”);Lilakusuma-dharana (“holding flower(s) gracefully”); Chelanchala-adi-grahana (“grasping the end of a saree or a robe”); Patasya-iva-avaguntana (“covering the head with a veil”); Dhupa-dipa-archanam(“offering incense”). 

Sikhara

Sikhara - Spire

Sikhara is the tenth mudra of the 28 Single Hand Mudras (Asamyutta Hasta) as described in the Abhinaya Darpana.

How to:
From Mushti Mudras (a fist), raise your thumb up.

Below are listed Sikhara Mudra usages as described in the Abhinaya Darpana (in the original Sanskrit with English translation):

Sikhara Hasta Vini Yoga:

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

When a dancer completes learning all of Mushti gesture usages he / she recites:

Sikhara Jujyate Bharata Dibi

This Mudra originated from Chandrasekhara (Shiva), when he held Mt. Meru as his bow.

The associated sage is: Jihna

Color: Dusky

Race: Gandharva

Patron Deity: The God of love (known in different names such as Smara, Manmatha, Kama, Madan).

Mushti

Mushti - Fist

Mushti is the ninth mudra of the 28 Single Hand Mudras (Asamyutta Hasta) as described in the Abhinaya Darpana.

How to:
The four fingers are bent into the palm, and the thumb wraps on top of them in to a fist.

Below are listed all of Mushti Mudra usages as described in the Abhinaya Darpana (in the original Sanskrit with English translation):

Mushti Hasta Vini Yoga:

Shtiram - Steadiness

Kachagraha - Grasping ones' hair

Daartya - Courage

Vasthvadeenaamcha Dharana - Holding things

Maliaanam Yudhabava - Fighting mood of wrestlers

When a dancer completes learning all of Mushti gesture usages he / she recites:
Mushti Hasta Ya Mishyate

According to ancient sources, this Mudra originated from Vishnu, who used this hand gesture while he was fighting with Madhu. 

The associated sage is: Indra

Color: Indigo

Race: Sudra

Patron Deity: The Moon

Some more applications: 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, fisticuffs, grasping a spear.

Arala & Sukathunda

 Since Arala and Sukatana both has very few Viniyoga applications, I combine them in this post. 

Arala (bent) Hasta Viniyoga

Arala is the seventh mudra of the 28 Single Hand Mudras (Asamyutta Hasta) as described in the Abhinaya Darpana. 

How to:
From Pataaka, bend the index finger halfway down. 

Below are listed Arala Mudra usages as described in the Abhinaya Darpana ( in the original Sanskrit with English translation):

Vishadhyam Amruhtam Panay - Drinking poison or nectar

Prachanda Pavana  - Violent Wind

According to one source it was first used by Agastya in drinking the 7 seas.

Sukathunda (Parrot’s beak) Hasta Viniyoga

Sukathunda is the eight mudra of the 28 Single Hand Mudras (Asamyutta Hasta) as described in the Abhinaya Darpana.

How to:
From Arala, bent your ring finger halfway down as well, so both your index and ring finger are bent down in the same fashion.

Below are listed Sukhathunda Mudra usages as described in the Abhinaya Darpana ( in the original Sanskrit with English translation):

Bhaana-Prayooga – Shooting an arrow

Kunthartha – A Spear

Aalayasyas-smridikarma – Remembering the past

Marmookthyam – Mystic feeling

Mugrabhava – Angry Mood

When one completes reciting: Sukatunda Ni Jujyatay

Ardha-Chandra

Ardha Chandra - Half Moon

Ardha Chandra is the sixth mudra of the 28 Single Hand Mudras (Asamyutta Hasta) as described in the Abhinaya Darpana.

How to:
From Pataaka, extand your thumb out away from your palm.

Below are listed all of Hardha Chandra Mudra usages as described in the Abhinaya Darpana ( in the original Sanskrit with English translation):

Ardha Chandra Hasta Vini Yoga:
 

Chandray – Moon

Krishna-Ashtami-Bhaji – 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

When completing the recitation of Ardha Chandra usages one recites:

Ardha Chandra Ni Jujyathay

 

According to other unknown sources this hand originated from the desire of Shiva for ornaments, of which the moon is one. Other usages for it are: 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.

Mayura

Mayura - Peacock

Mayura is the fifth mudra of the 28 Single Hand Mudras (Asamyutta Hasta) as described in the Abhinaya Darpana.

How to:
From Pataaka, bring together the tips of the ring finger and the thumb. Keep the rest of the fingers extended upward closed together.

Below are listed all of Mayura Mudra usages as described in the Abhinaya Darpana ( in the original Sanskrit with English translation):

Mayura Hasta Vini Yoga:

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 (As in holy bathing)

Shastra-Vaada  – Discussing the sastra

Prasi-Dhaka - Very famous

When a dancer completes learning all of Ardha-Pataaka gesture usages he / she recites:

Ebbom Marteshu Jujyate Mayura Kara Bhavanaha