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Shiva - Nataraja . - Page 3

© Kalyani Subramanyan

The pose symbolizes the divine activities of God.

Siva's dance is composed of the ever-flowing combination of his five scared activities, pancha-krtya. Srishti, the power to create, is represented by His upper right hand and the damaru (drum), upon which he beats Paranada, the primal sound from which issue forth the rhythms and cycles of creation. Sthiti, the power to maintain, is represented in the lower right hand in a gesture of blessing or have-no-fear, abhaya mudra. Samhara, the power to destroy, is shown by the fire held in His upper left hand, posed in ardhachamdra mudra, the half moon gesture. This crescent moon can also be seen in his hair. Tirobhava, the power to conceal or obscuring grace, is the power that hides the truth thereby permitting growth and eventual fulfillment of destiny, shown by the right foot standing on the prostate aspasmara purusa. Anugraha,the power to reveal or grant grace, grants knowledge and severs the souls bonds. This is shown by the raised left foot and lowered left hand held in gajahasta mudra (elephant trunk) inviting sign. The left leg shows too the immobile balance. These five sacred activities are sometimes personalized in respective order: Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Mahesvara, and Sadasiva; or as Sadyojata (creation), Vamadora (preservation), Aghora (reabsorbtion), Tatpurusha (obscuration), and Isana (granting grace).

The ring of fire, prabhamandala, in which Siva dances is the hall of consciousness, chitsabha . Known also as the ight-filled heart of man, it is the central chamber of the manifest cosmos. Nataraja dances the universe into and out of existence, revealing Ultimate Reality for most, concealing it for the pious who draw near and recognize Parasiva in themselves.

In his hair he may wear a mermaid, skull, cobra, and/or a crescent moon. The garland of skulls he wears identifies him as time, and guarantees the death of all beings.The single skull around his chest is Brahma, the creator - Siva is the only eternal being. Kundalini Sakti, the cobra or serpent, is the impending cosmic power living in all.The huge, consuming form towering above is MahaKala, Great Time. The three eyes symbolize the sun, moon, and fire, or the three powers creation, preservation, and destruction (trimurti).Two eyes show the world of duality while the middle eye shows the vision of non-duality. His smile indicates a nonchalant transcendence.

Siva also symbolizes here stillness and motion wrought together. The stillness tells of the peace and poise lying within all, at the center. The intense motion, sometimes depicted by his hair flying wildly in every direction, exhibits the fury and violent vigor that fills the universe. The implication is that God allows them both. The dance and dancer are one. This elegant symbol embodies the unity of all.

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