Image title: Figure 68. Karana Visnukranta

A beautiful figure where the right leg is thrown upwards sideways, the hands are Pataka near the chest ready to move into Recita. The right Pada is in Kuncita, the right Jangha is in Ksipta, right Janu is in Unnata. Left Pada is in Sama facing the front, left Jangha is in Sama, Janu is in Sama, Uru is in Stambhana. Kati is in Udvahita on left, Parsva is in Nata on right and Samunnata on left, Siras is in Udvahita. The torso is bent to the right.

This pose fits into the description of Karana no.100 which is Visnukrantam [Visnukranta] which is described in Sangitaratnakara as, “One Kuncita foot advanced forward as if for rising up (to face the sky) and the hands make a Recita gesture. This indicates Visnu’s movement.”

This is called as Visnu’s movement because when he incarnated as Vamana he increased himself to a massive size and measured the sky with one step and the earth with the other and the last step was placed on King Bali.This step seen in the figure shows measuring of the sky. What is to be observed is that the right leg is thrown up perfectly without a bend at the knee.

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.