नाट्यशास्त्रम् (प्रथम भाग - अभिनवभारती एवं हिन्दी टीका सहित)

-XIII. 88 ] THE DIFFERENT GAITS 221

Gait. [In acting their part] a wise [actor] should have immobile eyes looking only four cubits [in the front], a ready memory, the entire body in steadiness and he is to keep the mind at rest, to assume the marks belonging to his sect and to have modest clothes generally dyed in dark red, and to stand with the Samapāda feet and to assume the Sthāna of the same name. Then he should make two Catura hands one of which is to be stretched. And assuming a serene appearance in conformity with the performance he should perform the Ātikrānt (Atikrama) Cārī with natural (lit. not drooping) limbs. The best ascetics of the great vow are to be connected with these qualities or others contrary to them. As for the rest of the ascetics they according to the vow [enjoined by their own sects] are to have a Gait confused or stately or sober or mild. And in case of the ascetics of the Paśupata sect they should walk in the Śakaṭāsyā and Atikrānt³ Cārīs with haughty steps.

Gait of a person in darkness or of a blind man

87. The Gait [of a person] in darkness or the Gait of a blind [man] should consist of the feet drawn over the ground and the hands groping for the way.

Gait of one riding a chariot

88-92. The Gait of a person riding a chariot should consist of simple (cūrṇa) steps. From the Samapāda Sthāna (posture) he is to make a mimicry of the being carried in a chariot (lit. go the movement of a chariot), and with the one [hand he is to take up] the bow and with the other the pole [of the chariot]. And his charioteer is to remain busy with the whip and the reins, and the draught animals according to the class [of the vehicle] should be represented differently. And with quick and simple steps he is to enter the stage. The Gait of one in a celestial car (vimāna) should be made like that of one riding a chariot. One who is about to

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²liṅgam i.e. japabhasmakaupīnādi (Ag.).
³ Gacched—atikramād (B. gacched vyatikramād, G. gacched yatikramād).
87 (B.XII.87, G.86). ¹ andha-yāne (B.G. read atha yāne).
88-92 (B.XII.88-92, G.87-91).