The pose of Shiva Nataraja is represented in a number of bronzes, dating from the tenth century onwards. The movement which is in the bronzes is astonishing. In his role as Nataraja, Shiva is awake and constantly active and in ceaseless motion.
Shiva dances in a flurry of activity. His hair cascading wildly behind him. He is encircled by a ring of flame and he stands upon a dwarf representing his transcend dent consciousness and conquest of ignorance. Here Shiva is seen as a wild God, an extrovert who teaches dance and music which leads to ecstasy.
There is a deep symbolic meaning to the iconic depiction of Nataraja, the cosmic dancer. The ring of fire (Prabhavali) represents the cosmos, the unending cycle of time and the boundaries of the universe. The dwarf (Mulayaka) Shiva dances upon symbolizes spiritual ignorance, ego and worldly illusions. The damaru held in the upper right hand represents the rhythm of time and the sound of creation. In his upper right hand, he carries a drum shaped like an hourglass for the beating of the rhythm. This expresses sound, the vehicle of speech, chants and divine truth.
Furthermore, it is associated with Aakash, ether, the first of the five elements. Out of it unfold the other elements Vayu (Air), Agni (Fire), Apas (Water), and Prithvi (Earth). Agni flame, held in his upper left hand symbolizes destruction and dissolution of the universe. The lower right hand is in Abhaya mudra which is gesture of fearlessness, offering grace and protection to devotees. The upraised left foot and pointing hand (lower left hand) signifies liberation (moksha) and refuge for the soul.
Bestowal of Peace
Shiva as the Cosmic dancer is the embodiment and manifestation of the eternal energy in its five activities–Panch Kriyas. They are Creation (Srishti) the pouring forth or unfolding, Maintenance (Stith), the duration, Destruction (Samara), the taking back or reabsorption, Concealment (Tiro bhava), the veiling of the true being behind the masks and garbs of apparition, aloofness and display of Maya and Favor (Anugraha), acceptance of the devotee, acknowledgement of the spiritual effort of the yogi and bestowal of peace.
They are manifest in the position of his hands and his feet. The upper three hands being creation, maintenance and destruction. The foot planted in forgetfulness is concealment, and the foot uplifted is favor. The elephant hand (Gaja hasta mudra) indicates the linkage of the three to the two and promises peace to the soul. All five activities are made manifest simultaneously with the pulse of every moment and in sequence through the changes of time.
Dear ones, next time when you see the Nataraja, close your eyes and meditate.
Reference: Zimmer Myths and Symbols in Indian Art and Civilization,1955.
Aim Hrim Klim
Picture by Art Institute of Chicago – https://www.artic.edu/artworks/24548/shiva-as-lord-of-the-dance-nataraja, CC0, Link