Deer head: 1 definition
Introduction:
Deer head 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
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (natya)The Deer Head is denoted by the Sanskrit term Mṛgaśīrṣa, whereas Mṛgaśīrṣahasta refers to one of the twenty-two Single-hand Gestures (in Indian Dramas) (known as asaṃyuktahastas), according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—The word mṛgaśīrṣa is the union of two words viz., mṛga and śīrṣa. The word mṛga means deer and śīrṣa means head. So, it can be said that the hand posture which is called mṛgaśīrṣa identifies a posture that looks like the head of a deer. According to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, in mṛgaśīrṣahasta, all the fingers are bent downwards and only the small finger and the thumb go upward. At this position, the hand looks like a head of a deer with two horns. Abhinavagupta also keeps his view point in the same way and accepts mṛgaśīrṣahasta as a hand gesture which identifies the head of a deer with two horns.
Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).
See also (Relevant definitions)
Full-text: Mrigashirsha, Mrigottamanga, Harina.
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Search found 5 books and stories containing Deer head; (plurals include: Deer heads). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Agni Purana (by N. Gangadharan)
Mahabharata (English) (by Kisari Mohan Ganguli)
Section CCLXXVI < [Draupadi-harana Parva]
Pallava period (Social and Cultural History) (by S. Krishnamurthy)
Yajnopavita (Sacrificial Thread) < [Chapter 4 - Material Culture of the People]
Abhinaya-darpana (English) (by Ananda Coomaraswamy)
Natyashastra (English) (by Bharata-muni)