Image title: Figure 91. Dandapaksa Karana

This is an Urdhvajanu posture. The Siras is in Ancita bent to the right. The right Pada is in Kuncita, right Jangha is in Udvahita, right Janu is in Udvahita. The left Pada is in Sama with the foot facing the side in Parsva, left Jangha is in Nata, left Uru is bent to take the weight, left Janu is in Ardhakuncita. Right hand is in Lata.

The left hand is lifted up in Recita. This can be identified as Dandapaksa Karana, which is no.34 according to whose description, “After observing Urdhvajanu Cari the Lata hand is to follow which is to be placed on the knee which is raised.” Danda means “stick” in Sanskrit and Paksa means “side”. So if you see the raised hand it resembles a stick.The name could be derived because of this.

We can even describe this Karana as Urdhvajanu with a variation in the hands-one hand is in Lata where as the other forms Recita as we can see from the sculpture. This can be used to show flight of birds like Jatayu.

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.