·
Pataka: The
thumb is bent to touch the fingers and the fingers are extended. This is used
at the beginning of the dance, often to denote clouds, a forest, forbidding
things, the bosom, might, a river, the region of gods, the horse, wind,
prowess, favour, moonlight, strong sunlight, a street, equality or addressing a
person.
·
Tripataka: The
ring finger is bent in this hasta. This denotes a crown, a tree, the
thunderbolt, a flower, a pigeon, an arrow or turning round.
·
Ardhapataka:
The little finger of the Tripataka hand is bent. This denotes leaves, knife, a
banner, or a horn.
·
Ardhachandra:
The thumb of the Pataka hand is stretched out. This is used to show the half
moon, a spear, waist, meditation, prayer, and greeting by common people.
·
Shikhara: The
fist is formed by four fingers while the thumb is raised up. This denotes a
bow, a pillar, the phallic symbol, the act of embrace and the sounding of a
bell.
·
Alapadma: The
fingers, beginning from the little one, are bent and separated from one
another. This denotes a full blown lotus, the full moon, beauty, the hair know,
a village, a lake or a murmuring sound.
·
Bhramara: The
thumb and the middle finger touch each other and the fore finger is curved
while the remaining fingers are out stretched. This denotes a bee, a parrot, a
wing, a cuckoo and other birds.
Both hands are combined in twenty-three ways. They are Anjali, Kapota,
Karkata, Swastika, Dola, Puspaputa, Utsanga, Shivalinga, Katakavardhana,
Kartariswastika, Shakata, Shankha, Chakra, Sampata, Pasha, Kilaka, Matsya,
Kurma, Varaha, Garuda, Nigabandha, Khatva and Bherunda.
Some important ones
·
Anjali: Both
hands join to form a cup. This denotes salutation, an offering, a Brahmin, and
an act of veneration.
·
Swastika: Two
Pataka hands are put across each other at the wrist to form the swastika. This
denotes a crocodile.
·
Shankha: The
thumb of a Sikhara hand meets the other thumb and clung round by the fore
finger. This denotes a conch shell.
·
Chakra: The
palms in Ardhachandra hands are put across each other. This denotes a wheel.
·
Pasha: The
fore-fingers of the Shuchi hands are close to each other. This denotes a
string, a chain or a mutual quarrel.
Each deity is also portrayed by the arrangement of hands in specific ways.
Hasta mudras also describe planets, relationships, pure dance poses and the
various incarnations of god. These hand poses are used as and when the
portrayals of these characters are required.