Image title: Figure 66. Vrscikakuttita Karana

The left Pada is in Sama kept in Trysra, the left Jangha is in Nata and Ksipta, left Janu is in Ardhakuncita, Urah [uras] is in Udvahita, Siras is in Sama, right Pada is in Kuncita, right Jangha is in Parivrtta, right Janu is Unnata, right Uru is in Udvartana. The hands are in Alapallava raised up to the head level. The right leg is lifted as in Vrscika Karana

This fits into the description of Vrscikakuttitam [Vrscikakuttita] which is Karana 42 in which “The hands perform the Nikuttita movement and the legs assume Vrscika posture.” According to Sarngadeva, Nikuttita movement means “The hands in Alapallava gesture are moved up and down, one after the other, at the shoulders. This is used to indicate wonder and desire for aerial movement.”

The word Vrscika means a scorpion in Sanskrit. This word is probably used because of the bending of the leg backwards resembling the coiled tail of the scorpion. Bending the leg backwards to such an extent is really an acrobatic feet. But the Karana can be performed with different degrees of bending of the leg.

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.