Hand gestures of the Ten incarnations of lord Vishnu- Dashavatara hastas
The Avataras of lord Vishnu are Matsya (the Fish), Kurma-the Turtle, Varaha- the Boar, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Sri Ramachandra, Balarama, Sri krishna, and Kalki. Lets take a look at the slokas (sanskrit verses) and know how each of these gods are represented by a mudra.
1. Matsya Avatara
Vishnu took the form of a big fish. There is a story about this in Hindu scriptures. The Asuras or the demons snatched the Vedas, the holy books of the Hindus, and went deep inside the sea. At this point, Vishnu changed his form. He became a matsya, that is, a fish. He entered the sea and brought back the Vedas.
Matsyahasta darshayitva tatah skandasamau karau
Dhrutavu matsyavatarasya hasta etyabhidhiyate
It says that when hands are held in Matsya gesture, the Matsya avatara is depicted. Also after showing this particular incarnation, it is suggested that both hands in tripataka hasta at shoulder level be used as an inference to show lord Vishnu.
2. Kurma Avatara
Here Vishnu took the form of a Turtle (kurma) and then goes the story of the samudra manthan or the churning of the ocean.
Kurma hasta darsha eitva tatah skandasamau karau
Dhrutav kurmavatarasya etybhidhiyate
This Avatara is also shown by using the Kurma hand gesture and later holding the tripataka hasta with both hands at the shoulder level as inference to lord Vishnu.
3.Varaha Avatara
Lord Vishnu takes the form of a Boar(varaha). Here the Lord kills the demon Hiranyaksha and saves the vedas.
darshaeyitva varaham tu katiparshva samau karau
Dhrutau varahavatarasya devasya kara eshyate
The Varaha hasta is depicted with the use of varaha hand gesture at the stomach level and then placing the hands on the hips.
4. Narasimha Avatara
Here the lord takes the form of half man and half beast. He assumes the form of lion headed man and proves how the little boy Prahalad was a true devotee.
vame simhamukham dhrutva dakshine tripatakika
narasimha avataraya hasta etyuchate budhaih
Narasimha avatara is depicted when Simhamukha hasta is held in the left hand and Tripataka hasta in the right hand.
5. Vamana Avatara
Here the lord incarnates himself as a dwarf priest to restore Indra’s authority over the heavens, which was taken away by force by the demon king Bali and liberates the Asura king Bali.
urdhvadho dhruta mushthibhya syanyabhyam yadi sthitaha
sa vamanavatarasya hasta etybhidiyate
Vamana avatara is shown by holding left hand in mushti hasta at the shoulder level (to show the umbrella that he carried) and right hand also in mushti at the level of the the thigh. The inner side to the palm is facing down.
6. Parashurama
Parashu means an axe, so the word literally means Rama with an axe. The purpose of the sixth incarnation of Vishnu is considered by religious scholars to be to relieve the earth’s burden by exterminating the sinful, destructive and irreligious monarchs that pillaged its resources, and neglected their duties as kings.
vamam katitate nyasya dakshinerdha patakika
dhrutau parashuramasya hasta Etyabhidhiyate.
The right hand is held in Ardhapataka. This hand is raised up to show the axe. The left hand is kept at the hips.
7. Ramachandra
Here the lord takes birth as a son of Dhasharataha and kaushalya in Ayodhya. And later leads the life with strict adherence of satya (truth) and Dharma despite hardship and personal travails.
kapityo dakshine haste vame tu shikharah karaha
urdhva dhruto ramachandrahasta etyuchate
Hold Shikhara hasta in the left hand raised to the head level to show his Bow. Right hand in kapitta hasta held at the thigh level.
8. Balramavatara
Balarama is known as the elder brother of krishna. He is known for his imence power and hence the name balrama where “bal” means power in sanskrit.
patako dakshine haste mrushirvamakare tatha
balaramavatarasya has etyuchate
Balarama Avatara is depicted with right hand in pataka hasta and the the left hand in Mushti hasta facing downwards.( To show his weapon mace or in sanskrit, the Gada)
9. Krishna
In sanskrit the word ‘Krishn’ means black or dark and and is used as a name to describe someone with dark skin. Krishna is often depicted as a baby, as a young boy playing a flute. Main purpose of this avatar was to provide the mankind with a manual of life - The Bhagavat Gita.
mrugashirshe tu hastabhyam nyonyabhimukhe krute
asyopakanthe krushnasya hasta etychate
Bring left hand near right cheek. Left hand in mrigashirsa hasta facing inwards and the right hand is also in mrigashirsha but facing outwards. This is to show the flute that he carries.
10. Kalki
It is said in the scriptures that lord Vishnu will come to end the present age of darkness and destruction known as Kali Yuga. Some represent him as an amalgam of a horses head and a man’s body.
patako dakshine vame tripatakah karo dhrutaha
kalkya khasyavatarasya hasta etyuchate
Kalki Avatara is depicted with right hand in Pataka hasta and the left hand in tripataka hasta.
I shall try putting up the pictures for each of the Hastas soon.
Related posts:
- Hand Gesture for lord Vishnu
- Samayukta Hastas or Double Hand Gestures in Bharatanatyam
- Devata Hastas-Hand gestures to denote the deities
- Hand gesture for lord Shiva
- Brahma hasta-hand gesture for lord Brahma
Tags: Bharatanatyam · Bharatnatyam · Dashavatara · hand gestures · Hastas · Indian classical dance · Learning · Mudras · ten incarnation of Vishnu
17 responses so far ↓
It was a pleasure reading your blog.
Love to read about my Indian roots and this blog is probably the best I’ve come across that deals with Indian dance. Do you offer lessons in Sydney by any chance? 
*crosses fingers*
I shall come over ma’am.
Hi sheetal, thanks and I am glad you liked it. I donot have any class in sydney. But I can help you find one.
Awesome job Anjali,
tripataka hastya of Kalki explained as Indras vajraayudha! Long ago I had read some books on Kalki, western indology scholars explain god Vishnu (Kalki) as deified vedic human being Indra. So this hastya makes historical sense.
There is also a utube choreography called Kalki Avatar lection, maybe you like?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYyai3uKZu8
btw the oldest dance sculpture (Karana) unearthed sofar is 32 000 yrs old, I saw in Vienna history of nature museum. Same position as found in temple dancer of Indus Valley Civilization some 4000 years ago ?
http://www.donsmaps.com/galgenbergvenus.html
Thanks Nigamaa, they sound interesting.
Balarama is not considered to be as one of the avataras in dasaavaaras since Balarama is the sesha devuru avatara kindly clarify
Somebody with a thorough knowledge of puranas can definitely help you. I have also seen dance pieces where Gautam buddha is included as the ninth avatar (eliminating balarama avatara). Also read about the 24 avataras of vishnu in the Bhagvatam. This is the description of the dasavataram as per Jayadeva’s dasavatara stotram that forms the first section of Gita Govind a master piece of this great poet.
Anjali,
I think the hasta of Buddha should be added if available despite Jayadevs dismissal? Scholars think that modern indian writing first appeared at time of king Ashoka. His mother is believed to have come from Greece. When Asoka made war to what is today Orissa, there were so many dead causalties he felt to abandon war forever by converting India to Buddhism. So Buddha was made an avatar. Since written indian language before Ashoka is difficult to find, this Balaram addition is probably a later addition removing Buddha. There will be a new book soon which may shed more light
http://www.sussex-academic.co.uk/sa/titles/archaeology/Preston.htm
regards
thank you for this i really did need this for my work
Hi Anjali,
Is there a VCD or DVD out there containing the Dasha Avatar Dance ? I did not find any BharataNatyam Dance on youtube either. I was wondering whether you could post something
Namaste Anjali, i only joined viewing ur site yesterday and i must thank you, its very interesting and some comments are enlightening as well….so i’m learning about the science behind the dance. Great!!I have basic training in Bharatanatyam dance but i’m still training and ur lessons are helping me much at home.what i find difficult to obtain is the music for the dance… Do u know where i can have access to some songs and maybe their meanings in English? Thank you again and keep up the great work!!
Hello Piety,
I have not found Dasavatara CD available online either. Please let me know if you find one. Thanks.
Hello Sharmilla,
Thank you for your kind words. Lyrics for some songs are available on Karnatic.com and carnatic.com. Some songs can also be downloaded from amazon and is very affordable. Are there any specific songs you are looking for?
Hi,
I found a free ebook for download on Dasavatara of Vishnu
http://www.sundarasimham.org/ebooks/ebook15.htm
it has no video attached, but mp3 files to listen, it worked on my PC.There are also single utubes of various scenes from Gita Govinda in the net
regds
PS: Alisha: Are you researching on Buddhism and Dance?
For the moment i prefer to use the name of one of my elders spiritual guides, but all we are Indians, I had to born in Mexico City and some of the best gurus had to came, to the other part of our hart, and i have not to the tell you, your art preserve all the knowledge of our Gods and given us with those movements the fisical health and the opportunity to communicate with them. I am not in Calcutta’s dharma ashram, because some adept tell, you don’t need to learn Sanskrit almost thirty years after, i don’t know, Why i lesson him. But Lord Ganesh always give us the path to learn and serve to the humanity,
I’m attorney at criminal and civil law in Mexico City, and I offer to you everything you need when you come to this country, we have all the arts, like yours in this City for free, and I’m very happy write to you, and someday talk both of us, face to face, In this moment the only gift i can give it’s my pray to my Lord Rama, to keep you dancing and teaching to all they need you. Kind Regards.
Sacalante, thank you for your good wishes. God bless you too.
Thank you!
Hi Anjali……..
i am a interior architecture student doing research on bharatnatyam, i was wondering if you could help me with a few question.
1) could u email me images of hand gestures and explanation of them in english
2) wht is there red colour applied to yourfinger tips and a circle in the middle of the hand
anything else that will be interesting.
thank you. please try to email me as soon as possible. thanks once again
add more pics.if you add more pics it will be a good website and i liked it very much!!!!!!!