Image title: Figure 34. Ancita Karana

The Siras is in Nihancita, Urah [uras] is in Sama. Shoulders are slightly raised, Kati is not raised or bent, both Janu are bent in Ardhakuncita, The right Jangha is in Avartita, Pada are in Svastika.Right hand is in Pataka and left hand seems to be in Musti. Seem to be having Vyavartita and Parivartita wrist movements. Both the Pada are in Sama.

This can be identified as Karana 23 of the Natya Sastra which is Ancita. The Natya Sastra does not mention the usage of any specific Cari. According to Abhinavagupta in this Karana, “Karihasta which is used in Ardhasvastika Karana, is put near the nose in Alapallava Hasta with Vyavartita Hasta Karana We can use the stance in coordination with Ancita Pada. Then this is Ancita Karana.It is used to express sentence indicating excitement or introspection.” Usage of Ancita Pada and moving the other leg appropriately gives rise to Svastika of the feet.

Gallery information:

Kumbakonam is considered as one of the holiest places in Tamil Nadu and is known for its temples and Mathas (monasteries which were centres of Brahmanical learning). These photographs depict the connection between the sculptures in the temples and Natya Shastra and related texts dealing with iconography.