Nataraja

Nataraja (literally, The King of Dance) is the dancing posture of Lord Śiva, the aspect of God as the Destroyer in Hinduism.

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• The upper right hand holds the Drum (called Udukkai in Tamil and Dhamarukha in Hindi), which symbolizes sound originating Creation.
• The upper left hand contains Agni or the fire, which signifies Destruction. The opposing concepts in the upper hands show the counterpoise of creation and destruction.
• The second right hand shows Abhaya (fear not in Sanskrit), bestowing protection from both evil and ignorance to those who follow the righteousness of dharma.
• The second left points towards the raised left foot which signifies Upliftment and Salvation. The hand also looks like the trunk of Ganeśa, the obstacle remover, a symbol of strength.
• The dwarf on which Nataraja dances is a demon that symbolises ignorance in man, which is defeated by the dance of Śiva.
• The surrounding flames represent the manifest Universe.
• The snake swirling around His waist is kundalini, man's inherent power.

Within Lord Śiva's dancing manifestation is represented not only all of time and space, but also the primal creative force that is beyond the circle of illusion that mortals live within, all movement and vibration of the universe, and the stillness beyond all existence.

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The entire form of Nataraja can be seen to mirror the Hindu sacred syllable Aum, thus implying that Lord Śiva's dance of Destruction and Creation is contained within the existential principle of the Divine Sound.

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The image of the Lord as the Cosmic Dancer is shown at the Chidambaram temple, an unusual fact as Śiva is depicted in an anthropomorphic form rather than in the typical non-anthromorphic form of the linga.

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Nataraja: Origin ►



 

God: :This article discusses the term God in the context of monotheism. See deity, gods or goddesses for details on polytheistic usages. See Names of God for terms used in other languages or specific faiths. See God (disambiguation) for non-religious abbreviations....

Hinduism: :This article is about the Hindu religion; for other meanings of the word, see Hindu (disambiguation)....

Chidambaram: Chidambaram is a town of India, in the South Arcot district of Tamil Nadu, 11 km from the coast and 240 km south of Chennai by rail....




Nataraja related Images and Photos (experimental)

Shiva Nataraja Tamil Nadu Late Chola

Shiva As Nataraja

Shiva as Nataraja