Chapter 7 - Eighth Glances

The Eight Glances (aṣṭa dṛṣti).—In Bharataśāstra the following eight sorts of Eye or Glance (dṛṣṭi) are mentioned:

1. Sama,
2. Ālokita,
3. Sāci,
4. Pralokita,
5. Nimīlita,
6. Ullokita,
7. Anuvrtta,
8. Avalokita.

Sama (level): gazing without winking, like a woman of the gods. Usage: beginning a dance, scales, thinking of some other matter, surprise, the image of a god.

Ālokita (inspecting): swiftly turning with keen glances. Usage: potter’s wheel turning, showing “all sorts of things”, desires.

Sāci (sidelong): looking out of the corners of the eyes, without moving the head. Usage: secret purpose (iṅgita), twirling the moustache (self-confidence), aiming an arrow, hinting, and in Kulaṭa nāṭya.

Pralokita: turning from side to side. Usage: looking at things on both sides, making signs, moving, disordered mind.

Nimīlita (closed): the eyes half-closed, half-open. Usage: appearance of a sage (ṛṣi), subjection to another’s will, prayer (japa), meditation (dhyāna), greeting (namaskṛta), madness, keen insight (sukṣma dṛṣṭi).

Ullokita (looking up): directing the glance keenly up and aside. Usage: the point of a flag, tower (gopura), temple (dev a mandapa), previous lives, height, moonlight.

Anuvṛtta (following): glancing quickly up and down. Usage: angry looks, friendly invitation.

Avalokita (looking down): looking down. Usage: looking at a shadow, reflection (vicāra), bed, study, looking at one’s own body.