apurahasta

Apurahasta is a term that appears in some Sanskrit-derived or Indic-language texts, but it does not have a widely standardized definition in mainstream dictionaries. The form apura-hasta (or apurahasta) is a transliteration that could be analyzed as a compound of hasta, meaning hand, with a prefixed element such as apura- or a variant reading. Because attestation is limited and diverse, the exact sense of the term remains uncertain and may vary by manuscript or regional tradition.

Possible interpretations suggest that apurahasta might refer to a hand gesture or position in a broader system of hasta gestures used in classical Indian dance, ritual practice, or iconography. However, it is not listed among the well-known, named mudras such as pataka, anjali, or shikhara, and it does not have a standard, universally recognized meaning in standard mudra catalogs.

Attestation and sources for apurahasta are scarce, and where it appears, it is often in niche, regional, or transliteration-rich contexts. In scholarly work, practitioners typically examine surrounding text to determine whether the term refers to a specific hand configuration, a symbolic attribute, or a descriptive qualifier for a broader gesture.

See also: Hasta (hand), Mudra, Indian classical dance gestures, Sanskrit etymology.

Notes: If you have a specific manuscript or source in which apurahasta occurs, providing it would help clarify the intended meaning or usage.