Monday, September 9, 2013

Dhyana Shlokam (Dance Prayer) | Angikam Bhuvanam Yasya | Natyakriya Episode 03

source
Today, I'm going to tell y'll about Dhyaana Shlokam (read: dhi-yaa-nuh sh-loh-kum). It is traditional to start a dance practice with a dhyaana shlokam. 'DhyAna' is a Sanskrit word that means meditation and 'Shlokam' means a prayer.

This is a popular shloka in praise of Lord Shiva, who is said to be the King of Dance. The dancing form of Lord Shiva is known as 'Nataraja' (read: Nuh-tuh-raa-jaa).We have hand gestures (mudraas) for this Shlokam too. But we'll deal with that later.

Here's the video -

The Lyrics -
Angikam Bhuvanam Yasya 
Vachikam Sarva Vangmayam 
Aaharyam Chandra Taradi
Tam Numah (or Vande) Saattvikam Shivam 

आंगिकम भुवनम यस्य
वाचिकं सर्व वाङ्ग्मयम
आहार्यं चन्द्र ताराधि
तं नुमः (वन्दे) सात्विकं शिवम् 

The prayer means ---
Whose bodily movement is the entire Universe
Whose speech is the language (of the Universe)
Whose ornaments are the moon and the stars
Him, we version the pure (serene) Lord Shiva!
source: the 'Shiva linga hand gesture'
I'll break it down for you - 
WORD
PRONOUNCIATION
MEANING
Angikam
Aa-ngi-cum
Body
Bhuvanam
Bhoo-vuh-num
World (or Universe)
Yasya
Yuh-sya
Whose
Vaachikam
Vaa-chi-kum
Speech
Sarva
Sur-vuh
All
Vaangmayam
Vaang-muh-yum
Languages
Aahaaryam
Aa-haar-yum
Ornaments
Chandra
Chun-dhra
Moon
Taaraadhi
Taa-raa-dhee
Stars
Tam
Thah-m
Him
Numah (or Vandé)
Numaha / Vuh-ndhey
Bow / pray
Saatvikam
Saath-vi-kum
Pure
Shivam
Shivum
Lord Shiva

This Shloka is especially important because it also gives us the four types of Abhinaya (expression)
  • Aangikabhinaya
  • Vaachikabhinaya
  • Aahaaryabhinaya
  • Saatvikabhinaya 
 Watch the youtube video for this shlokam here

7 comments:

  1. Hi. I just came across this blog while searching for Angikam lyrics. Wanted to say thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've been dancing in the States for 25 years, but language is a barrier. Thanks for the translation!

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  3. Thanks for the well written blog.
    A slight correction.. ताराधि should've been तारादि - stars etc.

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  4. That was incredibly helpful. I was taught this as a child and had forgotten the complete verse. All the memories came surging with a few happy tears. Thanks a million didi, godbless you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I was thought this shloka and always tried to recollect and today found your blog.. felt very happy seeing such a nice detailed version. you are doing a very nice work. Loved your blog.

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  6. Thanks for this detailed page, my daughter is learning this now and your page helped her be prepared before class, her teacher was very impressed.We appreciate your efforts.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your feedback!

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