Image title: Figure 79. Bhujangancita Karana

The Siras is in Ancita bent to the left. The Parsva is in Nata on left and Samunnata on right. Urah [uras] seems to be in Sama. Kati is in Udvahita on the right with the leg raised. Right Uru is thrown up on left side in Nivartana, right Janu is in Unnata, right Jangha is in Ksipta, right Pada is in Kuncitam [Kuncita]. Left leg is in Ardhakuncita and left Pada is in Sama turned to the side. The right hand is in front of the chest ready to make a Recita movement and the left hand is stretched out in Lata Hasta. This belongs to the Bhujangatrasita family with a variation.

This can be classified as Bhujangancita - Karana no. 40 according to whose description “The feet are in Bhujangatrasita Cari with right hand in Recita and the left in Lata.” The name suggests that it can be performed with serpentine bends. We can also use Aviddhavaktra Hasta for performing this as it brings out serpent like movement of the hands. We can call this as a variation of Bhujangatrasita and use the Cari for the leg movement in the same way.

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.