Dhyana Shlokam (Dance Prayer) | Angikam Bhuvanam Yasya |

Natyakriya Episode 03

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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 meditationand '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

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

Angikam
Bhuvanam
Yasya
Vaachikam
Sarva
Vaangmayam
Aahaaryam
Chandra
Taaraadhi
Tam
Numah (or Vand)
Saatvikam
Shivam

PRONOUNCIATION
Aa-ngi-cum
Bhoo-vuh-num
Yuh-sya
Vaa-chi-kum
Sur-vuh
Vaang-muh-yum
Aa-haar-yum
Chun-dhra
Taa-raa-dhee
Thah-m
Numaha / Vuh-ndhey
Saath-vi-kum
Shivum

MEANING
Body
World (or Universe)
Whose
Speech
All
Languages
Ornaments
Moon
Stars
Him
Bow / pray
Pure
Lord Shiva

This Shloka is especially important because it also gives us the four types of Abhinaya
(expression)
Aangikabhinaya

Vaachikabhinaya

Aahaaryabhinaya

Saatvikabhinaya