Asamuyta Hasta Shloka - Single Handed Gestures

Hastas or Hasta Mudras are an integral part of Bharatanatyam, where stories are brought to life through hand gestures combined with facial expressions and dynamic movements.

There are 52 Hasta Mudras which are divided into 28 single handed gestures  or Asamyuta Hastas and 24  double Handed gestures or Samyuta Hastas. These Hastas are used to depict stories of Indian Gods & Goddesses, various characters, creatures, elements of nature, animals, emotions and relationships within a story. Every movement in Bharatantyam has a Sanskrit name and their uses are mentioned in the Natya Shastra, which is a detailed treatise of the performing arts including Dance, Drama, Music and Literature.

Asamuyta Hasta Shloka : 

 “Pathakas Tripathako Ardhapathakas Kartharimukhaha

Mayurakhyo Ardhachandrascha Araala Shukathundakaha

Mushtischa Shikharakhyascha Kapitha Katakhamukhaha

Suchi Chandrakala Padmakosha Sarpashirasthathaa

Mrigashirsha Simhamukhaha Kaangulascha Alapadmakaha

Chaturo Bhramaraschaiva Hamsasyo Hamsapakshakaha

Samdamsho Mukulaschaiva Thaamrachoodas Trisoolakaha

Ithyaasamyukta Hastanam Ashtavimshati reerita”

Meaning of the Shloka : 

Each word in the above shloka represents a mudra or gesture (single hand)

1. Pathaka – Flag
2. Tripathaka- Three parts of a flag
3. Ardhapathaka – Half flag 

4. Kartharimukha – Scissors 
5. Mayura – Peacock
6. Ardhachandra – Half moon
7. Araala – bent
8. Shukatunda – parrot’s beak
9. Mushti – Fist
10. Shikhara – Peak
11. Kapitha – Elephant - apple
12. Katakamukha – Opening in a bracelet
13. Suchi – Needle
14. Chandrakala – Crescent moon
15. Padmakosha – Lotus bud
16. Sarpashirsha – Snake's hood
17. Mrigashirsha – Deer's head
18. Simhamukha – Lion's face
19. Kangula – Bud
20. Alapadma – Fully bloomed lotus
21. Chatura – Square
22. Bhramara – Bee
23. Hamsasya – Swan beak
24. Hamsapaksha – Swan wing
25. Samdamsha – Pincers
26. Mukula – Bud
27. Tamrachuda – Rooster
28. Trishula – Trident