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Nataraja: Story Of Dancing Shiva
Nataraja is a popular figure in Hindu mythology. It is the depiction of Lord Shiva in a dancing pose. The word Nataraja is derived from 'Natya' which means dance and 'Raja' which means King. So, Nataraja basically means King of Dance.
Shiva as Nataraja was first depicted in the Chola bronze statues. Shiva is shown as dancing on an aureole of flames, lifting His left leg and balancing Himself of the demon Apasmara who is a symbol of ignorance. The upper right hand holds a 'dumroo' that stands for the male-female vital principle, the lower shows the gesture of assertion to be without fear.
Lord Shiva is usually associated with destruction and is always depicted in an angry mode. But very few people know that Lord Shiva is a great patron of music and dance. His Nataraja avatar is a message that ignorance can only be overcome by knowledge, music and dance.
Let us take a look at the story of Nataraja or the dancing Shiva.
Apasmara
&
Nataraja
Apasmara
was
a
dwarf
who
represented
ignorance
and
epilepsy.
In
order
to
preserve
knowledge
in
the
world,
Apasmara
could
not
be
killed.
To
do
so
would
throw
out
the
balance
of
knowledge
and
ignorance,
as
to
kill
Apasmara
would
mean
attaining
knowledge
without
effort,
dedication
and
hard
work.
Hence,
Apasmara
grew
extremely
arrogant
of
his
powers
and
went
on
to
challenge
Lord
Shiva.
It
was
then
that
Lord
Shiva
took
the
form
of
Nataraja
and
performed
the
famous
Tandava
or
the
dance
of
destruction,
eventually
crushing
Apasmara
under
His
feet.
Symbolism
Of
Nataraja
Dancing,
in
Indian
culture
has
been
seen
as
a
way
to
unite
with
the
Creator.
Shiva's
dance
is
a
symbol
of
being
one
with
God
through
the
divine
act
of
dancing.
This
cosmic
dance
of
Shiva
is
called
'Anandatandava,'
meaning
the
Dance
of
Bliss,
and
symbolizes
the
cosmic
cycles
of
creation
and
destruction.
It
also
symbolises
the
daily
rhythm
of
birth
and
death.
Thus, Lord Shiva in the form of Nataraja takes away the ignorance from our minds through the divine act of dance.
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