12. KATAKAMUKHA
(“link in a chain”)
The forefinger and
middle finger touch
the thumb.
The
tip of the forefinger and the side of the middlE finger are applied to
the tip of the thumb, the third finger is bent beside the middle
finger, and the little finger is also bent, but to a less degree.
According to T. A. Gopinatha Rao, " Hindu Iconography," Vol. I, pt. i,
description of terms, p. 16, this hand (syn. Simhakartfo) in images is
generally intended to receive the daily offering of a fresh flower, and
this is supported by the Ajaijta usage. This hand is also used in
teaching and is known to some iconographers, perhaps incorrectly, as
Vitarka mudrd.
According
to another book: the thumb of the Kapittha hand is thrown forward. This
hand originated when Guha received instruction in archery from Siva.
Its sage is
Bhargava,
its colour
coppery or gold,
its race is Deva,
its presiding
deity is Raghurama.
Technique:
Bring your thumb
together with your index and middle fingers. All fingers are stretched
and active. Stretch your ring and little fingers upward. Second
variation of this mudra is when you maintain Kapitta hand with the
thumb and index finger while extanding the middle finger forward and
the ring and little fingers upward.
Viniyoga
- Kusuma-apachaye
(“plucking flowers”);
- Mukta-srak-damnam-dharanam
(“wearing a necklace of pearls or flowers”);
- Sara-madhya-akarshanam
(drawing the arrow at the center of the bow”);
- Nagavalli-pradhanam
(“offering betel leaves”);
- Kasturika-adivastunam-peshana
(“preparing paste for musk etc.”);
- Gandhavasana (“to
smell”);
- Vachana (“to speak”);
- Drishti (“glancing”).
Additional
meanings:
- holding a mirror,
- holding reins,
- breaking a
twig,
- cleaning the teeth,
- plucking flowers,
- embracing,
- holding a discuss,
- holding a fan.
Kataka-mukha
variation
ESPECTÁCULO DE
DANZA HINDU-FLAMENCO
