Dashavatara hastas

Hand gestures of the Ten incarnations of lord Vishnu- Dashavatara hastas

The Avataras of lord Vishnu are Matsya (the Fish), Kurma-the Turtle, Varaha- the Boar, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Sri Ramachandra, Balarama, Sri krishna, and Kalki. Lets take a look at the slokas (sanskrit verses) and know how each of these gods are represented by a mudra.

1. Matsya Avatara

Vishnu took the form of a big fish. There is a story about this in Hindu scriptures. The Asuras or the demons snatched the Vedas, the holy books of the Hindus, and went deep inside the sea. At this point, Vishnu changed his form. He became a matsya, that is, a fish. He entered the sea and brought back the Vedas.

Matsyahasta darshayitva tatah skandasamau karau
Dhrutavu matsyavatarasya hasta etyabhidhiyate

It says that when hands are held in Matsya gesture, the Matsya avatara is depicted. Also after showing this particular incarnation, it is suggested that both hands in tripataka hasta at shoulder level be used as an inference to show lord Vishnu.

2. Kurma Avatara

Here Vishnu took the form of a Turtle (kurma) and then goes the story of the samudra manthan or the churning of the ocean.

Kurma hasta darsha eitva tatah skandasamau karau
Dhrutav kurmavatarasya etybhidhiyate

This Avatara is also shown by using the Kurma hand gesture and later holding the tripataka hastawith both hands at the shoulder level as inference to lord Vishnu.

3.Varaha Avatara

Lord Vishnu takes the form of a Boar(varaha). Here the Lord kills the demon Hiranyaksha and saves the vedas.

darshaeyitva varaham tu katiparshva samau karau
Dhrutau varahavatarasya devasya kara eshyate

The Varaha hasta is depicted with the use of varaha hand gesture at the stomach level and then placing the hands on the hips.

4. Narasimha Avatara

Here the lord takes the form of half man and half beast. He assumes the form of lion headed man and proves how the little boy Prahalad was a true devotee.

vame simhamukham dhrutva dakshine tripatakika
narasimha avataraya hasta etyuchate budhaih

Narasimha avatara is depicted when Simhamukha hasta is held in the left hand and Tripataka hastain the right hand.

5. Vamana Avatara

Here the lord incarnates himself as a dwarf priest to restore Indra’s authority over the heavens, which was taken away by force by the demon king Bali and liberates the Asura king Bali.

urdhvadho dhruta mushthibhya syanyabhyam yadi sthitaha
sa vamanavatarasya hasta etybhidiyate

Vamana avatara is shown by holding left hand in mushti hasta at the shoulder level (to show the umbrella that he carried) and right hand also in mushti at the level of the the thigh. The inner side to the palm is facing down.

6. Parashurama

Parashu means an axe, so the word literally means Rama with an axe. The purpose of the sixth incarnation of Vishnu is considered by religious scholars to be to relieve the earth’s burden by exterminating the sinful, destructive and irreligious monarchs that pillaged its resources, and neglected their duties as kings.

vamam katitate nyasya dakshinerdha patakika
dhrutau parashuramasya hasta Etyabhidhiyate.

The right hand is held in Ardhapataka. This hand is raised up to show the axe. The left hand is kept at the hips.

7. Ramachandra

Here the lord takes birth as a son of Dhasharataha and kaushalya in Ayodhya. And later leads the life with strict adherence of satya (truth) and Dharma despite hardship and personal travails.

kapityo dakshine haste vame tu shikharah karaha
urdhva dhruto ramachandrahasta etyuchate

Hold Shikhara hasta in the left hand raised to the head level to show his Bow. Right hand in kapitta hasta held at the thigh level.

8. Balramavatara

Balarama is known as the elder brother of krishna. He is known for his imence power and hence the name balrama where “bal” means power in sanskrit.

patako dakshine haste mrushirvamakare tatha
balaramavatarasya has etyuchate

Balarama Avatara is depicted with right hand in pataka hasta and the the left hand in Mushti hastafacing downwards.( To show his weapon mace or in sanskrit, the Gada)

9. Krishna

In sanskrit the word ‘Krishn’ means black or dark and and is used as a name to describe someone with dark skin. Krishna is often depicted as a baby, as a young boy playing a flute. Main purpose of this avatar was to provide the mankind with a manual of life – The Bhagavat Gita.

mrugashirshe tu hastabhyam nyonyabhimukhe krute
asyopakanthe krushnasya hasta etychate

Bring left hand near right cheek. Left hand in mrigashirsa hasta facing inwards and the right hand is also in mrigashirsha but facing outwards. This is to show the flute that he carries.

10. Kalki

It is said in the scriptures that lord Vishnu will come to end the present age of darkness and destruction known as Kali Yuga. Some represent him as an amalgam of a horses head and a man’s body.

patako dakshine vame tripatakah karo dhrutaha
kalkya khasyavatarasya hasta etyuchate

Kalki Avatara is depicted with right hand in Pataka hasta and the left hand in tripataka hasta.