SHIVA DARSHAN - Photos

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anywhere," (The Dance of Shiva) The Origin of Nataraj An extraordinary

iconographic representation of the rich and diverse cultural heritage of India,

it was developed in southern India by 9th and 10th century artists during the

Chola period (880-1279 CE) in a series of beautiful bronze sculptures. By the

12th century AD, it achieved canonical stature and soon the Chola Nataraja

became the supreme statement of Hindu art. The Vital Form &

Symbolism In a marvellously unified and dynamic composition expressing the

rhythm and harmony of life, Nataraj is shown with four hands represent the four

cardinal directions. He is dancing, with his left foot elegantly raised and the

right foot on a prostrate figure — 'Apasmara Purusha', the personification of

illusion and ignorance over whom Shiva triumphs. The upper left hand holds a

flame, the lower left hand points down to the dwarf, who is shown holding a

cobra. The upper right hand holds an hourglass drum or dumroo that stands for

the male-female vital principle, the lower shows the gesture of assertion: "Be

without fear." Snakes that stand for egotism, are seen uncoiling from his arms,

legs, and hair, which is braided and bejewelled. His matted locks are whirling

as he dances within an arch of flames representing the

endless cycle of birth and death. On his head is a skull, which symbolises his

conquest over death. Goddess Ganga, the epitome of the holy river Ganges, also

sits on his hairdo. His third eye is symbolic of his omniscience, insight, and

enlightenment. The whole idol rests on a lotus pedestal, the symbol of the

creative forces of the universe. The Significance of Shiva's Dance This cosmic

dance of Shiva is called 'Anandatandava,' meaning the Dance of Bliss, and

symbolizes the cosmic cycles of creation and destruction, as well as the daily

rhythm of birth and death. The dance is a pictorial allegory of the five

principle manifestations of eternal energy — creation, destruction,

preservation,

salvation, and illusion. According to Coomerswamy, the dance of Shiva also

represents his five activities: 'Shrishti' (creation, evolution); 'Sthiti'

(preservation, support); 'Samhara' (destruction, evolution); 'Tirobhava'

(illusion); and 'Anugraha' (release, emancipation, grace). The overall temper

of the image is paradoxical, uniting the inner tranquillity, and outside

activity of Shiva. A Scientific Metaphor Fritzof Capra in The Tao of Physics

beautifully relates Nataraj's dance with modern physics. He says that "every

subatomic particle not only performs an energy dance, but also is an energy

dance; a pulsating process of creation and destruction…without end…For the

modern physicists,

then Shiva's dance is the dance of subatomic matter. As in Hindu mythology, it

is a continual dance of creation and destruction involving the whole cosmos;

the basis of all existence and of all natural phenomena." To sum up, here's an

excerpt from a beautiful poem by Ruth Peel: "The source of all movement,Shiva's

dance,Gives rhythm to the universe.He dances in evil places,In sacred,He creates

and preserves,Destroys and releases.

10pt">We are part of this danceThis eternal rhythm,And woe to us if, blindedBy

illusions,We detach ourselvesFrom the dancing cosmos,This universal harmony…"

 

justify"> With Sai love from Sai brothers -

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