Archives Glossary of special terms

ananda-tandava

dance pose; ‘dance of bliss’ – associated with South Indian representations of Shiva Nataraja, especially processional bronze images

ananta

variety of armlet

anantasana

Anantāsana (अनन्तासन), triangular in shape; it is usually used when viewing sports and amusements

anarpita-hara

String of miniature shrine (hara) on the edge of each vimana tala, distinct from the body of the upper tala or storey, with intervening space (opposite of arpita-hara).

anchita-gana

a gana with graceful flexion

Andhaka

Demon of darkness who was blind but believed he had sight; embodiment of spiritual blindness, sometimes identified as wayward son of Shiva, slain by Shiva with his trident (trisulam).

angada

an ornament tied round the upper arm by a string

angaharas

bodily gryations in a dance pose

angula

Aṅgula (अङ्गुल), digit (finger-breadth); basic measuring unit for idols; unit of measurement (cf. Manangula); 12 Aṅgulas = 1 Vitasti 6 Yavas = 1 Adhama-mānāṅgula (inferior inch measure), 7 Yavas = 1 Madhyama-mānāṅgula (middling inch measure), 8 Yavas = 1 Uttama-mānāṅgula… Continue Reading →

anjali

hands clasped in adoration

anjali-mudra

a pose of anjali with the palm of the hands joined together near the chest; ‘two handfuls’ – pose with hands clasped together in respectful greeting and adoration, characteristic of subordinate deities, attendant gods and devotees

ankusha

elephant god; Ankusha (अंकुश; also Ankuśa or Ankusa) is a Sanskrit word for an elephant hook or elephant goad, a tool used by elephant handlers (mahouts) to guide and train elephants. It is made of a small wooden handle topped… Continue Reading →

antara-bhitti

inner wall of multiple-walled garbhagriha, or sanctum, or storey

antarala

vestibule (cf. sukhanasi)

antariya

lower garment

anugraha

grace and mercy

anugraha-murti

benevolent form

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