On this world theatre day, I'm going to tell y'll about Dhyaana Shlokam (read: dhi-yaa-nuh sh-loh-kum). It is traditional to start a play with a dhyaana shlokam. 'Dhyana' is a Sanskrit word that means meditation and 'Shlokam' means a prayer.
It’s a practice to recite the following shloka before starting the play. 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) who is the embodiment of the four Abninayas namely Angikabhinaya, Vachikabhinaya, Aharyabhinaya, Satvikabhinaya.
Angikam Bhuvanam Yasya
Vachikam Sarva Vangmayam
Aaharyam Chandra Taradi
Tam Numah Saattvikam Shivam
आंगिकम à¤ुवनम यस्य
वाचिकं सर्व वाङ्ग्मयम
आहार्यं चन्द्र ताराधि
तं नुमः 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!
Guru Mantra
Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu
Guru Devo Maheswara
Guru Saaksaat Param Brahma
Tasmai Shri Guruve Namaha
Meaning
Guru Is Brahma, Who plants the qualities of goodness
Guru Is Vishnu ,Who nurtures and fosters the qualities of goodness
Guru Is Maheshwara ,Who weeds out the bad quality
Guru Is Supreme Brahman Itself
Prostration Unto That Guru.
Natya krama
Yato hasta stato drishti
Yato drishti stato manah
Yato manah stato bhava
Yato bhava stato rasaha.
Meaning
Where the hand is, eyes should follow there
Where the eyes is, the mind should be there
Where the mind is, there goes the expression,
And where there is expression, there arises emotion.
