Image title: Figure 80. Janita Karana

The Siras is in Ancita, Parsva is in Samunnata on the right and Nata on left, Urah [uras] is in Sama, Kati is in Udvahita on the left side, left hand is placed in front of the chest in Katakamukha, right hand is in Lata Hasta. Left leg is in Sama, left Uru is in Stambhana, left Janu is in Sama, left Jangha is also in Sama, left Pada is in Sama. Right leg is turned to the side. Right Janu is in Unnata, right Jangha is in Udvahita, right Pada is in Agratala. This movement is obviously done with one leg stamping in Agratala and the other in Sama.

So this fits into the description of the Janita Karana, no. 94 of the Natya Sastra according to whose description, “One hand is to be on the chest and the other hand as Lata, hanging loosely, the legs observing Janita Cari.” From the sculpture we can assume that this Karana is being performed in Sama Sthana.

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.