Pataka Hasta

Pataka Hasta(flag) is a single-hand gesture, where all fingers are held straight close together and thump is slightly bent.

This mudra pose is used at the commencement of natya and to represent the clouds, forest, denial of objects, breasts, night, river, realm of divinities, horse, cutting, wind to decumbent, attempting to go, strength, benefaction, moon-light, fierce heat, opening the doors, in the sense of all sevn case-endings (vibhakti), tides, entering a lane, equanimity, smearing oneself, taking a pledge, silence, palmyra leaf, shield, feeling the objects, blessing, a good king, describing a location, sea, series of meritorious actions, addressing, stepping forward, grasping a sword, month, year, a drizzly day and sweeping with a broom.