Find the group of 'Asamyukt hand Gesture':

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 1:
Shuktunda, Shikhar, and Aral are all consistently classified as *Asamyukt Hastas*, or single-hand gestures, in the foundational classical dance texts such as the *Abhinaya Darpana* by Nandikeshwara. These gestures are an essential part of *Angika Abhinaya* (body expression) and are made using only one hand to communicate specific meanings (*Viniyoga*) or as part of pure dance (*Nritta*). *Aral* is formed by curving the index finger, *Shuktunda* is derived from *Aral* by bending the ring finger, and *Shikhar* is a raised thumb from a fist. Since all three of these mudras are single-hand formations, they correctly form the group of *Asamyukt Hastas*.

The incorrect option is 2:
The option *Anjali*, *Shakat*, and *Pash* is incorrect because all three are prominent examples of *Samyukt Hastas* (combined or double-hand gestures). *Samyukt Hastas* fundamentally require the use of both hands to form the mudra. *Anjali* is a salutation gesture made by joining both palms, and *Shakat* and *Pash* are also formations that are completed by combining two hands. A group of single-hand gestures cannot contain *Samyukt Hastas*, making this option incorrect.

The incorrect option is 3:
The group *Shankh*, *Karkat*, and *Bherund* is incorrect because every gesture listed here belongs to the category of *Samyukt Hastas*. *Shankh* is a combined gesture representing the conch shell, *Karkat* (or *Karkata*) is a gesture used to denote a crab or a crowd, and *Bherund* is a combined gesture used to signify a mythical bird. As the question specifically seeks a group of *Asamyukt* (single-hand) gestures, the presence of these well-known double-hand mudras disqualifies this option.

The incorrect option is 4:
The final group of *Shivling*, *Nagbandh*, and *Garud* is incorrect for the same conceptual reason: they are all *Samyukt Hastas*. *Shivling* is a double-hand gesture used to represent the form of Lord Shiva. *Nagabandha* is a combined gesture representing intertwined snakes, and *Garud* signifies the mythical eagle. Therefore, a group composed entirely of *Samyukt Hastas* cannot be the correct answer for a query asking to identify a group of *Asamyukt Hastas*.