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Cynic
The Lizard King


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Palms in Hindu art
#12368211 - 04/10/10 04:02 PM (13 years, 9 months ago) |
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I figured this would be the best section to post this in, considering it deals with the religion of Hinduism.
Does anyone know why the palm of the hand is such a prevalent sight in Hindu art? It seems that nearly every picture I've seen of a Hindu god has the god with one hand up and the palm facing outward.
http://bab.viabloga.com/images/shiva.gif
http://www.insurat.com/God/image/VISHNU_copy.jpg
http://www.podmasti.com/uploaded_images/GANESH6-720045.jpg
Just a few examples... Does anyone know why?
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(Shura's voice)
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Kickle
Wanderer


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Re: Palms in Hindu art [Re: Cynic]
#12368217 - 04/10/10 04:05 PM (13 years, 9 months ago) |
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Talk to the hand 'cause the face don't wanna hear it
-------------------- Why shouldn't the truth be stranger than fiction? Fiction, after all, has to make sense. -- Mark Twain
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appleorange
Rainbow Technician



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Re: Palms in Hindu art [Re: Kickle]
#12368222 - 04/10/10 04:08 PM (13 years, 9 months ago) |
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lulz
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thePatient
Criminal Bodhisattva


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Re: Palms in Hindu art [Re: Cynic]
#12368237 - 04/10/10 04:12 PM (13 years, 9 months ago) |
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open hands birth humility? here i stand, court gesturing infinity
-------------------- T h e r e a r e n o o r d i n a r y m o m e n t s.
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deCypher



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-------------------- We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.
 
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crumblebum
The Guy Who's Really Bad At Sex


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Re: Palms in Hindu art [Re: deCypher] 1
#12372843 - 04/11/10 01:33 PM (13 years, 9 months ago) |
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It's a hagiographic representation of certain deities and figures associated with performing blessings, the hand is held upright with the palm out to invite to faithful to recieve blessings.
Most sects of sadhu, a catagory of chiefly homeless wandering monks in india, perform incredible austerities, usually for 12 years at a time. One such austerity that seems universal to most sects is holding that position for 12 years, long after the arm has atrophied. looking for pics.
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crumblebum
The Guy Who's Really Bad At Sex


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As you can see, after the arm begins to emaciate the hand curls into a fist, but on more recent initiates the palm is open.
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Grimmy101


Registered: 05/25/09
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Re: Palms in Hindu art [Re: crumblebum] 1
#12373043 - 04/11/10 02:12 PM (13 years, 9 months ago) |
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It may also have something to do with the palm chakras although this is just a guess. I really don't know very much about palm chakras, unless they pretty much just correspond to the seven primary chakras, I just know that there is a belief the hands also contain chakras.
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crumblebum
The Guy Who's Really Bad At Sex


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Re: Palms in Hindu art [Re: Grimmy101]
#12373211 - 04/11/10 02:44 PM (13 years, 9 months ago) |
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trust me, not directly chakra related. while the hand is sometimes adorned with a symbol, usually a swastika, the uniform position of a raised right hand with the palm outward denotes that the dispersment of blessings is associated with this god. not all gods offer blessing in return for offerings, or even require or have occasion for offerings. there may be some correlation with chakra theory and the specific use of the right hand, but the outward palm is meant in the case of both depictions of deva and in the personal presentation of some sadhus denotes that the being offers perpetual blessing at all times. Hence the sadhu's maintaining the pose for 12 years (often for the rest of their life, as some allow the arm to atrophy into position)
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Grimmy101


Registered: 05/25/09
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Ah, makes sense, thanks for clearing that up for me.
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crumblebum
The Guy Who's Really Bad At Sex


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Re: Palms in Hindu art [Re: Grimmy101]
#12373828 - 04/11/10 04:56 PM (13 years, 9 months ago) |
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i apologize for coming off a bit snotty in that last post, i really hadn't looked at it since I posted it, but lord what a know-it-all. gotta remember to keep that of tone in the philosophy boards. =P Also, haven't slept for a while, which exacerbates my general unwarranted sense of self importance.
In retrospect, chakra theory probably plays a prominent role in the more intricate and complete explanation of the gesture itself. Just in the most universal sense, any time a deity is depicted making that gesture, it denotes that they are known for blessing the faithful, and when holy men take on the austerity to hold the position for 12 years as a sign of his vow to provide blessing to the faithful at all times.
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Primal Glitch
literally just vibing



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Re: Palms in Hindu art [Re: Cynic]
#12373862 - 04/11/10 05:07 PM (13 years, 9 months ago) |
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from wikipedia:
Quote:
A mudrā [muːˈdrɑː] (Sanskrit: मुद्रा, lit. "seal") is a symbolic or ritual gesture in Hinduism and Buddhism. While some mudrās involve the entire body, most are performed with the hands and fingers. A mudrā is a spiritual gesture and an energetic seal of authenticity employed in the iconography and spiritual practice of Indian religions and traditions of Dharma and Taoism.
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make the changa you wish to see in the world gnome sayin'?
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Grimmy101


Registered: 05/25/09
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Quote:
crumblebum said: i apologize for coming off a bit snotty in that last post, i really hadn't looked at it since I posted it, but lord what a know-it-all. gotta remember to keep that of tone in the philosophy boards. =P Also, haven't slept for a while, which exacerbates my general unwarranted sense of self importance.
In retrospect, chakra theory probably plays a prominent role in the more intricate and complete explanation of the gesture itself. Just in the most universal sense, any time a deity is depicted making that gesture, it denotes that they are known for blessing the faithful, and when holy men take on the austerity to hold the position for 12 years as a sign of his vow to provide blessing to the faithful at all times.
Oh I didn't find it snotty at all, no need to apologize.
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