Upahasta: 4 definitions
Introduction:
Upahasta 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: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstraUpahasta (उपहस्त) refers to five characteristics of the hand (hasta) according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 33.
The following are the five upahastas:
- Kartarī,
- Samahasta,
- Hastapāṇi,
- Vartanā,
- Daṇḍahasta.
Accordingly, “The four qualities of all these hands are elegance, switftness, variety and firmness. These are what I had to say about the characteristics of hands”.

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 DictionaryUpahasta (उपहस्त):—[=upa-hasta] m. the act of taking with the hand, receiving ([Tārānātha tarkavācaspati’s Vācaspatyam, Sanskrit dictionary]) [gana] vetanādi, [Pāṇini 4-4, 12], (not in [Kāśikā-vṛtti])
[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)
Starts with: Upahastaya.
Full-text: Aupahastika, Upahastika, Upahastaya, Kartari, Samahasta, Panitraya, Dandahasta, Vartana.
Relevant text
Search found 1 books and stories containing Upahasta, Upa-hasta; (plurals include: Upahastas, hastas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles: