नाट्यशास्त्रम् (प्रथम भाग - अभिनवभारती एवं हिन्दी टीका सहित)

IX. 165 ] THE GESTURES OF HANDS 185

described briefly may be used elsewhere also in conformity with the rules laid down here.

General rules regarding the use of hand gestures

156. In acting, hand [gestures] should be selected for their form, movement, significance, and class according to the personal judgement [of the actor].

157. There is no gesture (lit. hand) that cannot be used in indicating [some] idea. I have profusely described whatever forms (lit. gestures) are usually seen [to be associated with different ideas].

158. There are besides other popular gestures (lit. hand) connected with other ideas, and they also are to be freely used along with the movements inspired by the Sentiments and the States.

159. These gestures should be used by males as well as females with proper regard to place, occasion, the play undertaken and a suitability of their meaning.

Different movements of hand gestures

160. I shall now describe the varied movements which these gestures (lit. hands) [should] have in connexion with the [different] Sentiments and States.

161-163. [These movements are] : drawing upwards, dragging, drawing out, accepting, killing, beckoning, urging, bringing together, separating, protecting, releasing, throwing, shaking, giving away, threatening, cutting, piercing, squeezing and beating.

164. Hand gestures according to the theory of Histrionic Representation are to have three kinds of general movements, viz. upwards, sideways and downwards.

165. These movements of hands should at the time of their use, be embellishad by means of [suitable] expressions in the eyes, the eyebrows and the face.

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156 (B.161, G.154).	157 (B.162, B.G.155).
158 (B.163, G.156).	159 (B.164, G.157).
160 (B.165, G.158).	161-163 (B.166-168, G.159 161).
164 (B.169, G.173).	165 (B.170, G.162).

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