Shiva is deeply associated with dance and is also known as Nataraja - the Lord of Dance. The creation of dance and the utterance of the first 16 rhythmic syllables are attributed to Shiva. It is said that the Sanskrit language originated from these 16 syllables. The Natya Shastra - the Hindu text on classical dances - is said to have originated from Shiva, along with various yogic postures. The most popular Nataraja portrayal of Shiva is only one amongst the nine dance forms that Shiva is ever depicted in. The Hindu temple of Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu, India, is the only temple dedicated to Shiva in the form of Nataraja. All rhythmic movements in the cosmos are the manifested forms of Shivas cosmic dance - that which ensures stability and balance of the universe. The placement of the heavenly bodies and their interactive movements are but Shivas dance striving to keep the cosmos in balance. Shiva dances to destroy evil and reduce the suffering of his devotees. His dance slays ignorance and darkness in our minds. And in a grand finale, it dissolves all creation - the entire universe - into a state of suspended activity. Shivas dance is associated with a specific Hindu ritual in which it is said that on every 13th evening of the bright lunar fortnight, there exists an hour called the Pradosha when, if Shiva is propitiated, it is said to be the equivalent of offering ones worship to all powers of the cosmos. It is said that at this hour, all gods assemble at mount Kailash (Shivas abode) to lose themselves in the magic of Natarajas dance.
Posted on: Mon, 21 Oct 2013 13:44:21 +0000
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