COLLECTANEA.
The Language of Gesture.
(Folk-Lore, vol. xxx., p. 312 et seq.)
With reference to Mr. H. A. Rose's note on "The Language of Gesture," it may be of interest to say that Bengali dictionaries commonly cite and describe the 22 commonest mudrās used by Hindus when praying, bathing, and performing other ceremonial rites.
(1) aṅkuśa, “elephant goad”; palm presented upwards; forefinger curved.
(2) dhenu, “milch cow”; hands joined upwards, palm to palm; thumbs and fingers touching, but fore and middle finger of right hand and third and little finger of right hand crossed.
(3) nārāca, “iron arrow”; palm presented, forefinger straight; others bent.
(4) kūrma, “tortoise”; right hand superposed on left; palms downwards; right forefinger touches left thumb; tip of right little finger touches tip of left forefinger; other three fingers of left hand close round right hand.
(5) avaguṇṭhana, “veil”; right hand with palm downwards; forefinger extended but slightly bent; other fingers closed.
(6) gālinī (meaning not given); left hand superposed on back of right hand, fingers extended and separated, in contact with those of right hand.
(7) matsya, “fish”; left hand superposed as above, but the two thumbs sticking out on each side; fingers of upper hand superposed on those of lower hand.