Alinganahasta, Āliṅganahasta, Alingana-hasta: 1 definition

Introduction:

Alinganahasta means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Shilpashastra (iconography)

[«previous next»] — Alinganahasta in Shilpashastra glossary
Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (śilpa)

Āliṅganahasta (आलिङ्गनहस्त) or simply Āliṅgana refers to “tender grasp” and represents one of the twenty-four gestures with a single hand, as defined according to texts dealing with śilpa (arts and crafs), known as śilpaśāstras.—Accordingly, pratimā-lakṣaṇa (body postures of the icons) is comprised of hand gestures (hasta, mudrā or kai-amaiti), stances/poses (āsanas) and inflexions of the body (bhaṅgas). There are thirty-two types of hands [viz., āliṅganahasta] classified into two major groups known as tolirkai (functional and expressive gestures) and elirkai (graceful posture of the hand).

(Description of Āliṅgana-hasta): The arm is shown either around the waist or around the shoulder. The middle and ring fingers are passed firmly down, while the forefinger and little finger are raised gracefully away. The thumb is held up vertically away from the rest of the palm.

Shilpashastra book cover
context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

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