Image title: Figure 102. Parsvajanu Karana

Siras is in Ancita, Parsva is in Samunnata on the left and Nata on the right, Urah [uras] is in Udvahita, Kati is in Udvahita on the right, right hand is in Musti in the chest region and the left hand is stretched as Dola. Left Pada is in Sama, left Jangha is in Nata, left Janu is in Ardhakuncita. Right leg is lifted high upto the shoulder level. Right Pada is in Kuncita, right Jangha is in Udvahita, right Janu is in Unnata.

This can be identified as Parsvajanu Karana no.73, according to whose description “One foot is in Sama position and the opposite thigh is raised and one Musti hand on the chest.” Here we can see the right hand in Musti, the right leg is raised to touch the back of the thigh, the left foot is in Sama. Bharata does not specify the other hand. So the stretch in Dola seems okay. The legs can be alternately lifted and the hands can be interchanged. And this looks appropriate for fighting scenes.

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.