Shiva Tala School of Bharatanatyam
Devata Hasta Notes
Vishnu:
He is one of the trimurty’s or the trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiv). He regarded as the preserver of the
universe. He rests on a huge coiled serpent called Sheshanaga which represents the ignorant life on
earth. His consort is Devi lakshmi (goddess of wealth).
He is represented by holding both hands in Tripataka hasta close to the shoulders.
Brahma:
In Sanskrit the creative principal of the universe is called the ‘Brahma’. As the name suggests he is
believed to be the creator of the universe and all beings have evolved out of him.
He is represented when left hand is held in chatura hasta (inside of the palm facing up) and right
hand is held in Hamsasye. The chatura hasta is to show him as holding the vedas and the hamsasye
hasta to show the rosary that he holds.
Shiva(Nataraja: King of Dance):
Shiva in sanskrit means “the auspicious”. In the positive sense he shreds the negative ideas and
gives way to positive and the creative once. He is described in the scriptures as fair in complexion,
with only his neck blue. He is usually seen in sitting in a deep meditative posture. He also has a
third eye on the forehead. He has a long matted hair which is tied into a knot. A spring of water is
seen flowing from his hair ie the river Ganges. A crescent moon is studded to his hair.
Lord Shiva is shown as mrigashirsha hasta in the left hand and tripataka hasta in the right hand.
Lord shiva is known by different names, example Nilakantha (the blue necked one), Trinetra (one
with three eyes)
Nataraja is depicted by holding pathaka hasta close to chest on the right hand, and Pathaka hasta
stretched out in front of the body.
SHIVA also can be shown by holding mrigashirsha on left and tripathaka on right.
Saraswati:
Goddess Saraswati is considered the goddess of knowledge and speech. She is usually seen in white
garments and fair in complexion. She is seated on a lotus. She has for arms holding the Veena (A
string instrument), the rosary, and the vedas. The Veena represents her perfection on all arts. The
Shiva Tala School of Bharatanatyam
Veena points the collective sound of all our thoughts and actions as it manifest in the universe a
music. The rosary represents the power of meditation. The vedas are her command over science.
Her vehicle is a divine swan (hamsa). Hence she is also called Hamsavahini. And She is the consort
of God Brahma.
Saraswati is represented by holding mrigashirsha on left hand left of the face, and right near hip in
thambrachuda representing a veena.
Also can be represented as kapitha on left hand and suchi on right pointing to kapitha.
Parvati:
Devi Parvati known as a consort lord Shiva. She is considered source of all universal principle of
power , energy or creativity. She is the belived to be the daughter of the Himalayas. She is the
mother of Ganesha and Kartikeya.
Parvati is represented by holding Ardhachandra in the right hand, while the same hasta on the left
hand facing downwards.
Lakshmi:
She is the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Lakshmi is thus worshiped as means to achieving
objectives, including prosperity in the lives of mankind both material and spiritual. She is a consort
of Vishnu and is also seen as massaging lord vishnu’s feet who rests on the shehsa naga (coiled
snake).
Lakshmi represented by holding both hands in kapitta hasta up close to the chest.
Ganesha:
Ganesha, Gajanana, Vinayaka, eka danti are some of the names he is known as. In the shiva purana
it is said that Goddess parvati created ganesha out of the dirt of her body while bathing and assigned
the task of guarding until she finishes her bath. Meanwhile lord shiva returned and was furious as
he saw a stranger boy would not let him enter. In anger he cut off the boys head. Now parvati was
grief struck and pleaded to bring back her son’s life. Thus shiva ordered his men to bring the head
of a sleeping being who faced the north. As such they could find only an elephants head. Shiva
restored the boys life and declared him as Ganapati (leader of his troops or ganas). This elephant
headed god rides on a mouse. He is said to be a god of Wisdom and success and worshiped as one
who removes obstacles of his devotees.
Ganesha is shown by holding kapitta hasta in the right hand, while the same hasta is held in the left
hand, but facing downwards. Both the hands are held at the naval level.
Kartikeya:
Kartikeya is the second son of Shiva and Parvati. He is regarded as the God of wars. He is known to
have six heads so that he can counter all kinds of blows from all directions during a war. It also
represents that he is in control or all five senses and the mind.
Kartikeya is depicted by holding left hand in Mayurakyo hasta on the left hand and shikarakestcha
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on top of the Mayurakyo.
Also can be depicted by holding trishoola on left and Shikarakestcha on right.
Manmatha:
In hindu mythology Mammatha is often know as Kamadeva. He is the God of love.
By holding right hand in Katakamukha and the left hand in Shikhara hasta manmatha is
represented.
Indra:
Indra is said to be the king of Gods. He is more often known as the god of thunder storms, wielding
a celestial weapon, The Vajra, a lighting bolt.
Indra is represented with tripataka in both hands crossed at the wrists like swastika.
Agni:
Agni is the Hindu god of Fire. He is the lord of southeast direction. Agni is depicted as red, with
two heads and seven hands and three legs. He is seen riding on a ram or a chariot driven by goats.
His attributes are an axe, torch, prayer beads and a flaming spear.
Agni devata is represented by the knowers of natya as holding left hand in Kangula hasta and the
right hand in Tripataka hasta.
Varuna:
He is known as the god of oceans. He is seen riding on an ocean creature that has an head of an
antelope, but a body of a fish or an alligator.
Varuna is represented by holding Pataka hasta in the right hand and Shikhara hasta in the left hand.
Yama:
Yama in the Hindu mythology is considered the God of death. Yama is described as mounted on a
black buffalo. He holds a noose in one hand, in order to catch hold of his victims. In the other he
holds a mace which represents his weapon. He is the son of Vivasvat (sun, surya) and sharanya
(wife of surya, the clouds)
Yama is represented by holding Tamrachuda hasta in the left hand. And right hand in Suchi hasta
pointing the left hand.
Nirutti:
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Nirutti is actually said to be one of the Ashta-dikpalas. Ashta-dikpala means guardians of eight
direction. Thus Nirutti is said to be guarding the south-west direction. He rides on a lion. He is also
thought of as the god/goddess of death.
Thus Nirrtti is represented by holding the Shakata mudra (Bhramara) in the right hand and Khatava
hasta in the left hand.