Hastamudras

Iam a seeker,

A bird soaring high in the sky !

In that moment of flying - a blissful state in the air,

Where you are free - full of space,

A vast expanse of azure blue sky !

I move my hands with gestures,

Like Pataka, Mudrakhya, Kataka,

Oh ! Is there a Mushti of strength ?

From the dwarfed Kartarimukha ?

Yes of course !

For I am a Shukatunda,

Not just a winged being that can fly,

But a lark as well that can sing,

Plaintive notes, so sweet and melodious !

My hands extend like wings,

My fingers formulating the Hastas-

Kapitha, Hamsapaksha, Shikhara,

My feet in Samapada moves softly and gently,

Like a snow - white swan moving in calm waters.

With Hamsasya it is the beauty of the body,

Fulfilling the yearning of the self.

With Anjali - the palms joined together,

It is the expression of the devotion

For the Infinite !

With Ardhachandra-

The halfmoon,

Pointing in three directions,

It is life's vicissitudes 

Undulating and swaying !

Mukula and Bhramara are the bees that buzz,

Around the honey - filled blossoms

While the proud peacock parades its hues.

Is that Suchimukha pointing a forefinger

At what you are or who ?

Pallava and Tripataka,

Cautions you to limit your desires.

Mrigashirsha is the four - legged animal

With two horns, standing firmly on the ground,

Protecting itself from the unpredictable.

Slimy and poisonous

Is the Sarpashirsha

Yet. a friend of Shiva,

Curled around his neck,

Like a jewel in the crown !

Vardhamanaka is the ultimate seeker

Of Moksha - the ultimate salvation.

Depicting the selfish motives is the Arala,

Thoughts wicked that needs to be thrown out of

One's own mind !

And finally, in the Hasta Lakshana Deepika

We hold the Urnanabha, the eternal dish of contentment

Enclosed in the inward - turned bud of Mukula

Encompassing the eternal values in its

Katakamukha Hastha - safe and secure.

With Alapadma of Abhinayadarpana,

It is Ananda -

The expression of joy -

The fathomless bliss,

That all dancers strive for !

Let me dance, dance and dance !

Like the bird that flies

In the boundless skies,

Higher and higher - farther and farther

Up the wide, blue horizon !

P.S. The twenty four Hastamudras mentioned in the poem

are taken from the ancient text - Hastalakshanadeepika.

The twentyfifth mudra Alapadma, profusely utilised in Mohiniattam is taken from the text of Abhinayadarpanam.