The Three Goddesses

The Three Goddesses

Goddess Inspired Jewelry, Folk Art & Gifts

PO Box 426

Riverdale, MD

20737-0426 USA

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March 3, 2005

What is the Symbolism of Shiva's Dance?

~from Living with Siva

The symbolism of Shiva Nataraja is religion, art and science merged as one.

In God's endless dance of creation, preservation, destruction and paired graces is hidden a deep understanding of our universe.

Bhashya Nataraja, the King of Dance, has four arms.

The upper right hand holds the drum from which creation issues forth.

The lower right hand is raised in blessing, betokening preservation.

The upper left hand holds a flame, which is destruction, the dissolution of form.

The right leg, representing obscuring grace, stands upon Apasmarapurusha, a soul temporarily earth-bound by its own sloth, confusion and forgetfulness.

The uplifted left leg is revealing grace, which releases the mature soul from bondage.

The lower left hand gestures toward that holy foot in assurance that Shiva's grace is the refuge for everyone, the way to liberation.

The circle of fire represents the cosmos and especially consciousness.

The all-devouring form looming above is Mahakala, "Great Time."

The cobra around Nataraja's waist is kundalini shakti, the soul-impelling cosmic power resident within all.

Nataraja's dance is not just a symbol. It is taking place within each of us, at the atomic level, this very moment. The Agamas proclaim, "The birth of the world, its maintenance, its destruction, the soul's obscuration and liberation are the five acts of His dance." Aum Namah Sivaya.

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