Vaktrapani, Vaktrapāṇi: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Vaktrapani 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-śāstra

1) Vaktrapāṇi (वक्त्रपाणि) refers to one of the nine preliminaries performed behind the stage curtain, according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 5. Accordingly, “Rehearsing (lit. dividing) the different styles (vṛtti) of playing musical instruments is called the vaktrāpāṇi.”

Performing the vaktrapāṇi preliminary pleases the Dānavas. According to Nāṭyaśāstra 5.57-58, “The performance of the Preliminaries which means worshipping (pūjā) the gods (devas), is praised by them (i.e. gods) and is conducive to duty, fame and long life. And this performance whether with or without songs, is meant for pleasing the Daityas and the Dānavas as well as the gods.”

2) Vaktrapāṇi (वक्त्रपाणि) refers to a classification of bahirgīta (“instrumental music”), according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 29. Accordingly, “these are called bahir-gītas because they were outside (bahis) the performance of the play and were included in its preliminaries”.

Accordingly, “the music of the vaktrapāṇi will include the karaṇas of the ābiddha-dhātu and it has two members ekaka of vṛtta (= pravṛtta) and it is to have in its music half the member of the vyañjana-dhātus”.

Natyashastra book cover
context information

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).

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Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Vaktrapani in Sanskrit glossary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Vaktrapāni (वक्त्रपानि):—[=vaktra-pāni] [from vaktra > vac] (in [dramatic language]) preparation of mouth and hands (a kind of introductory ceremony) Bhar

context information

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.

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