Mudras as symbols of the universe -The Spiritual import of Hindu Dance PART (2) by Sarah Magalhães
By Sarah Magalhães
Recite and perform:
? Kapotha Hasta Viniyoga. —- Religious Respect
Praname Guru Sambhashe Vinayangi Krteshwayam
(The form of this mudra is analogous to the form of the heart and this is held in the center of the chest where the noblest inner attitudes should manifest in hierarchic relationships.)
(To offer pranams, respectful salutation to the guru as a mark of acceptance; to show politeness and respect while talking to elder people; to show modesty while being praised.)
Making use of rational modes related to aspects of devotion, respect and worship in social relationships, the mudras become symbols to describe and convey knowledge of a greater degree, such as universal concepts which must be properly assimilated, into knowledge of a sensible order. In this alchemy, the relationship of Form and Essence in the performance of the mudras translates in a visual expression, the spiritual ethos of Hinduism.
Recite and perform: —-
? Pushpaputa Hasta Viniyoga. Offering
(All the meanings of this hasta are related to worship and ritual )
Neeranjenavidhou , Vaari phala digrahane picha
Sandyayaam Arghyadanecha, Mantrapushpecha Yujyate
(Small lamp on a plate for worship, to hold, to receive a coconut which is a symbol of auspiciousness and a divine offering; ritual to be offered in the morning and in the evening; to take water for the ocean and to offer again to the ocean —whatever you get or learn from the guru you must add to it give back to its source ; offering of mantras )
Whereas metaphysic proceeds from intellectual intuition, religion proceeds from Revelation. The sacred gesture extracts the essence of metaphysics and reveals its beauty through the revelation of a religious form. Thus, these sacred gestures are a direct and active participation in divine Knowledge with the whole body as a unity of physical body, mind and soul. The human body being the microcosm is a reflection of the macrocosm in its way of operation. Thus, the sacred gesture awakens a knowledge which is inscribed in the innermost essence of man and comes up to life through mimesis of a real ritual. The performance of these holy gestures acts as a way of extinction. A way of liberating oneself from the cosmic Maya through the cosmic Maya, the body itself, in this case.
Recite :
? Uttsanga Hasta Viniyoga - Respect in the social domain
(Now we come to a more secular aspect of life. These Viniyogas explicit social action and attitudes in daily life related to self-respect.)
Aalinganecha, Lajjayam, Angadadipradarshane
Balam Shikshane chayam Uttsango Yujate Karaha
(Embracing; shyness; to show the ornaments in the upper part of the arms; teaching children to be poised)
In the domain of social life, the mudras are signs for recognition of ethical values. The sacred gesture enshrines a specific form that corresponds to an idea in the realm beyond form. Reasons explain discursively through language. The Intellect knows intuitively. In this sense, the mudra is a seal or a symbol of an idea - an intellection translated into body substance.
? Shivalinga
Viniyogastu Tatsieiva Shivalingasya darshane
(Refers to the Supreme Principle)
To show Shivalinga as two Principles. Purusha and Prakriti
Sacred gestures reveal forms proper to actualize the spiritual content of a particular religion, as they are transmitter of intellectual intuitions. In this way, esoterism manifests on exoterism by the medium of sensible forms. Thanks to their symbolism translated into an immediate and universal language; these forms are channels for conveying a religious doctrine. In this way, esoterism infuses an intellectual quality into the devotional domain of the tradition.
? Shakatam
Raakshasaa Bhinaye praya Shakato Viniyujyate
(To show demons)
(To show evil and immediately this is followed by the attributes of the protector and preserver: Lord Vishnu.)
? Shankha Hasta Viniyoga Shankadishu prayojioyam ilia hu Bharata dayaha
(To show the Conch of Lord Vishnu) The sound of the shankha refers to the sacred Om sound, thus it symbolizes eternal creation. The Conch of Lord Vishnu also signifies knowledge which dispels the darkness of ignorance.
? Chakra Hasta Vinyioga Chakrahasta Savigneya Chakrarte Viniyujate
(To show the Chakra of Lord Vishnu) The weapon to destroy demons.
The relation between form and essence becomes intellectually evident and is communicated to the spiritual community by symbolic means designed to awaken in them the latent knowledge about essences that they eternally bear within themselves. Through dramatic art pervaded by the ray of Revelation, which is none other than the ray of the Intellect revealed through sacred symbols, it expresses the doctrine of goodness and leads the community back to higher values established in society.
Conclusion:
The intrinsic relationship between Form and Essence allows metaphysical and universal truths to be translated into a dogmatic language of symbols providing an immediate understanding of the core of a particular religion. A symbol is not merely a form but a means of conveying a reality and a deep truth of a transcendental nature. They are thus charged with a power that awakens our conscience. By contemplating them, we establish an immediate connection with what they convey. Thus, symbols when understood in its profound meaning allow us to leave the rational plane and to reach the universal. It enables us to leave the realm of particularity, provoking a liberating state of Oneness. Almost like a magical instant, symbols awakens in the depths of our souls, that which is inscribed in our hearts since eternity, the very essence of archetypes. The power of symbols are such that we could consider them as immaterial talismans. In this sense, they are efficient transmitters of an everlasting heritage of ancient knowledge. An example of this, can be seen in Hindu dance, which is an expression of a higher religious intuition, bringing to the body substance, the intuition of Essences. ( ) In a sense, this art is a kind of “ Song of the Essences” materialized in the human body.
To conclude I will perform a shloka to show how these gestures are used in a devotional verse of praise. Perform and then explain:
Through the symbolism of the three powers of life: creation, preservation and destruction, represented by Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, the guru is seen as the whole universe incarnated; but in reality Guru is ParaBrahma itself. In this shloka, the concept of guru is equated to the possibility of transcending oneself in the cycles of existence (creation, preservation and destruction) and realizing Parabrahma which is the sole Reality.
Shloka for honoring the Guru
Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu Guru Devo Maheshwara
Guru sakshat ParaBrahma Tasmai Shri Gurave Namahah
Thank you for this opportunity of sharing this noble art of ancient India
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