Image title: Figure 57. Bhramaraka Karana

The Siras and Urah [uras] are in Sama. The right hand is in front of the chest and left hand extended to the side. Both seem to be in Pataka but obviously doing a rotatary movement doing Avestita/Udvestita. Parsva is in Samunnata on left and Nata on right. The Kati is lifted on right. The right Janu is slightly lifted (Unnata), right Jangha is in Avartita, right Pada is in Agratala. Left Janu is in slight Ardhakuncita, left Jangha is in Nata, left Pada is in Sama turned to the side. The figure of Siva is shown performing a movement which is involving a front Svastika of the right leg. The right foot is placed in Svastika in front of the left but is kept much ahead than a normal Svastika and the body position is only slightly bent and not a deep seated position. So obviously there is some kind of a turning movement being performed. Also, the head is straight where as the torso seems turned.

This movement fits into the description of Bhramaraka Karana (no. 38) of the Natya Sastra according to which, “The feet are in Svastika through Aksipta Cari, hands are performing Udvestita movement and the Trika is turned (referring to the lower torso or sacrum).” According to Samgitaratnakara, “This Karana is performed to move around haughtily and it can be repeated on both sides.”

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.