Eye Movements or Drishthi Bheda

June 25th, 2010 by Anjali

Drishthi in sanskrit meaning “Vision”. In relation to our eyes it means “sight” or “to see”. The classification of these eye movements are based on how we move the eye balls. Infact we use each of them in our every day routine. Just a matter of identifying with their names. There are eight types of Eye movements given in the shastras:

1. Sama:  Eye kept still without any movement.

2. Alokita: Rolling your eye balls in a circular pattern.

3. Saachi: Looking through the corner of the eyes.

4. Pralokita: moving your eyes side to side.

5. Nimilita:  It looks like a half shut eye. Here one tries to focus the eye ball towards the heart.

6. Ullokita: Looking upwards.

7. Anuvritta: Rapid movement of the eyes up and down.

8. Avalokita: Looking down.

Shloka :

Samam Alokitam Saachi pralokita Nimility
Ullokita-anuvritte cha tatha chaiva-avalokitam
Ithyashtho drishthi bhedaha syu kirtitah purvasuribhi

The following video should demonstrate how each of these eye movements are done.

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Leave A Comment

3 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Shalaka Kulkarni Jun 27, 2010 at 2:56 pm

    Hi Anjali,
    Tons and tons of best wishes to you for this beautiful and elaborate site. I’m also a student of Bharatnatyam and am still learning and practicing everyday. I’m from Mulund and learnt it from Ambujakshan Sir from age of 5. I did hear about your Guru Madhuri Kelkar and wanted to learn from her but traveling was a problem. I’m 30 now and presently live in Baton Rouge La and still by God’s Grace is able to keep up with the dance. I’m really fortunate to meet you through the internet and would like to help you develop the site and learn through discussions too. Keep up with this excellent work. The beautiful art will be treasured for generations to come.

  • 2 Anjali Jun 27, 2010 at 8:41 pm

    Thank you Shalaka. Nice to know you are Ambujakshan sir’s student too. I was in his institution for three during my late teens. Your contributions in any way are welcome. Pls mail me and we can talk.

  • 3 c.p.unnikrishnan Jul 28, 2010 at 9:07 pm

    Very useful service. God bless you.