Abhinaya Darpana is the book upon which Bharatanatyam is based.

The author is Nandikeshwara.

Indra requests Nandikeshwara to teach him Bharatanatyam.

Abhinaya Darpana is the result of this.

Contents of Abhinaya Darpana

• Prayer to Shiva.
• The greatness of natya.
• Characteristics of the audience and its head.
• Positions of the dancer and instrument players on the stage.
• Characteristics of the dancer, female and male.
• Natya lakshana and natya krama.
• Movement of each body part in angikabhinaya.
• Mukhaja, sharira, and cheshtakrita abhinaya.
• Nine types of head movements.
• Eight types of eye movements.
• Four types of neck movements.
• Twenty-eight single-hand gestures.
• Twenty-four double-hand gestures.
• Thirteen nrittahastas.
• Movements of feet.
• Gaits.

Highlights of Abhinaya Darpana

• Defines Nritta, Nritya, and Natya.
• Detailing of angikabhinaya.
• Detailing of hasta lakshanas.

Knowledge Bank

Can Hanuman Chalisa not be recited in the morning?

Generally, people and many sages suggest that 'the chanting of Lord Hanuman's name and the recitation of Hanuman Chalisa should not be done before 3 hrs 45 mins after sunrise.' Is this true? Some people say that Hanuman Ji stays awake at night, so in the morning, he is 'asleep' or busy serving Lord Rama; hence, the time before 3 hrs 45 mins after sunrise is prohibited. But there is no evidence for this. It also does not seem correct that Yogiraj, the foremost among the wise, Lord Hanuman, remains asleep for such a time in the morning or that his divine body and power are so limited that he cannot serve his devotees in other forms while being busy serving Lord Rama in one form. Wherever there is chanting of Lord Rama’s name with love and the recitation of the Ramayana, Lord Hanuman is always present, whether it is morning or any other time. If we accept this argument, we will have to refrain from chanting God’s name until 3 hrs 45 mins after sunrise for the sake of Lord Hanuman’s rest.Therefore, devotees should never refrain from chanting Lord Hanuman's name or reciting the Hanuman Chalisa at any time. Morning time is excellent for worship. Lord Hanuman is always and at all times worthy of veneration. The doha of Sunderkand (Prata naam jo leyi hamara) was spoken by Hanuman Ji. When Hanuman Ji goes to Lanka and meets Vibhishana, Vibhishana says that he is a demon. Vibhishana considers his body to be lowly and himself to be unfortunate. Hanuman feels that Vibhishana has developed an inferiority complex due to his demonic form. To console Vibhishana, Hanuman Ji says that even he (Hanuman Ji) is not noble and if someone takes his name in the morning (he being a monkey), they will not get food for the entire day. Note that Hanuman Ji said this only to console Vibhishana. In reality, there is no truth to the notion that seeing Hanuman would prevent anyone from getting food. Hanuman Ji is our protector from troubles.

Tips for conception

According to the Ayurvedic text, Charaka Samhita the couple desirous of a child should avoid the first three days from the onset of menstruation. For a male child, they should have intercourse on the even days of the cycle and for a female child, the odd days. Soon after the intercourse, the woman should not lie on her sides or face down. The woman should avoid overeating, staying hungry or thirsty, fear, depression, anger, scorn, excessive passion, or desire for another man.