Nataraja
Nataraja in Sanskrit means "Lord of Dance". Shiva, in the form of a cosmic dancer is shown with 4 hands and flying locks.
The significance of the Nataraja sculpture is said to be that Siva is shown as the source of all movement within the cosmos, represented by the arch of flames. The purpose of the dance is to release men from illusion, and the place where it is said to have been performed, Chidambaram, called the centre of the universe, is in reality within the heart. The gestures of the dance represents the five activities (pañcakrtya) - creation (symbolized by the drum), protection (symbolized by the "fear not" hand gesture), destruction (symbolized by the fire), embodiment (symbolized by the foot planted on the ground), and release (symbolized by the foot held aloft).
Bhashya Nataraja, the king of Dance, has 4 hands. The upper right hand holds the Damaru, or the drum from which creation issues forth and the lower right hand is raised in blessing. The upper left hand holds Agni, a flame representing the destructive energy. The right leg, representing obscuring grace is placed firmly upon Apasmarapurusha (a symbol of man's ignorance :purusha meaning man and apasmara meaning forgetfulness or heedlesness). The uplifted leg represents his grace and the grant of eternal bliss to those who approach him. The lower left hand gestures towards the holy foot in assurance that Shiva's grace is the refuge for everyone. The cobra around Shiva's waist is Kundalini shakti, the soul compelling cosmic power resident within all. Ganga is shown nesting in Shiva's locks. The crescent moon in his matted hair keeps Kama, the god of nightly love, alive.
Nataraja in Sanskrit means "Lord of Dance". Shiva, in the form of a cosmic dancer is shown with 4 hands and flying locks.
The significance of the Nataraja sculpture is said to be that Siva is shown as the source of all movement within the cosmos, represented by the arch of flames. The purpose of the dance is to release men from illusion, and the place where it is said to have been performed, Chidambaram, called the centre of the universe, is in reality within the heart. The gestures of the dance represents the five activities (pañcakrtya) - creation (symbolized by the drum), protection (symbolized by the "fear not" hand gesture), destruction (symbolized by the fire), embodiment (symbolized by the foot planted on the ground), and release (symbolized by the foot held aloft).
Bhashya Nataraja, the king of Dance, has 4 hands. The upper right hand holds the Damaru, or the drum from which creation issues forth and the lower right hand is raised in blessing. The upper left hand holds Agni, a flame representing the destructive energy. The right leg, representing obscuring grace is placed firmly upon Apasmarapurusha (a symbol of man's ignorance :purusha meaning man and apasmara meaning forgetfulness or heedlesness). The uplifted leg represents his grace and the grant of eternal bliss to those who approach him. The lower left hand gestures towards the holy foot in assurance that Shiva's grace is the refuge for everyone. The cobra around Shiva's waist is Kundalini shakti, the soul compelling cosmic power resident within all. Ganga is shown nesting in Shiva's locks. The crescent moon in his matted hair keeps Kama, the god of nightly love, alive.
The fiery ring that surrounds Shiva is known as Prahabhamandala, which represents the universe with all its illusion, pain and suffering. The outer edge represents fire while the inner edge represents water.
As Nataraja, Shiva represents apocalypse and creation as he performs the Anandatandava (dance of bliss). He dances away the illusory world of Maya transforming it into power and enlightenment.
Angikam bhuvanam yasya vaachikam sarva vaangmayam
Aharyam chandra taaradhi tam namah satvikam shivam
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