11. Postures (Sthana, Asana and Sayana)

Chapter 21 of the Visuidharmottara III, describes lying down postures or six Sayyastagnani, Chapter 22 describes nine sitting postures (asana) and chapter 23 describes six standing postures (Ethanska). The six sleeping or reclining postures are Sama, Akuncita, Presarita, Vivertita, Udvanita and Nata. The nine types of sitting postures relate both to the mood they express and to the position of the limbs. Thus, Svastha, Janugata, Muktajanu, and Viaukta denote the limb position and Mandalasa, Aranta, Visambhita, Utkata and Srastalasa relate to the mood and are used for representing sorrow, intoxication, offering libation, dhyana-yoga, state of fainting etc. These last five postures are related to the position of all limbs such as the chest, waist and eyes. In Chapter 23 of the Visnudharmottera standing postures (Sthanakas) of men and woman with their usages are given. In all these sthanas, emphasis is laid on the position of the lower limbs and principally on feet. These sthanas mostly indicate static poses which suggest a particular mood or a deity. The distance of the feet from each other is regarded important. Six standing postures of men are (1) Veisneva (one

- 98 foot is in natural position and the other in 'tryasra' position). In 'tryasra' position the foot is placed sideways with the shank somewhat bent. (2) Samapada (the feet are evenly placed at a distance of a tala). (3) Vaisakha (the distance betwen the feet is two and a half talas, both in tryasra position ). (4) Mandala (feet sideways, the distance is of three talas and the waist and the knees in a line). (5) Alidha (the right leg in a Mandala position is five talas apart). (6) Pratyalidha (the reverse of the Alidha posture) Three standing postures of women are Ayata, Avahittha and Hayakranta. (7) Ayata (one leg in a natural position but the other in a tryasra position at a distance of one tala). (8) Avahittha (one leg is obliquely placed and the other removed from it by a distance of one tala). (9) Asvakranta or Hayakranta (one leg is evenly placed and the other curved like a balance). The description of the Vaisaka, Ayata and Avahittha is 30 different in the Natyasastra.