Sarpashiras, Sarpaśiras, Sarpa-shiras: 4 definitions
Introduction:
Sarpashiras 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.
The Sanskrit term Sarpaśiras can be transliterated into English as Sarpasiras or Sarpashiras, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstraSarpaśiras (सर्पशिरस्, “snake-head”) refers to a gesture (āṅgika) made with a ‘single hand’ (asaṃyuta), according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 8. The hands (hasta) form a part of the human body which represents one of the six major limbs (aṅga) used in dramatic performance. With these limbs are made the various gestures (āṅgika), which form a part of the histrionic representation (abhinaya).
Source: archive.org: Natya ShastraSarpaśiras (सर्पशिरस्, “snake-head”).—A type of gesture (āṅgika) made with a single hand (asaṃyuta-hasta);—(Instructions): The fingers including the thumb to be close to one another and the palm to be hollowed.
(Uses): It is used to represent the offering of water, movement of serpents, pouring water [on anything], challenging [for a duel], motion of the elephant’s frontal globes (kumhba) and the like.
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).
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English DictionarySarpaśiras (सर्पशिरस्):—[=sarpa-śiras] [from sarpa] m. ([scilicet] hasta) ‘sn°-headed’, Name of a [particular] position of the hands, [Catalogue(s)]
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Sarpa, Shiras.
Full-text: Mrigashirsha, Asamyuta, Ompatu.
Relevant text
Search found 2 books and stories containing Sarpashiras, Sarpaśiras, Sarpa-shiras, Sarpa-śiras, Sarpasiras, Sarpa-siras; (plurals include: Sarpashirases, Sarpaśirases, shirases, śirases, Sarpasirases, sirases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)
Natyashastra (English) (by Bharata-muni)