In the heart of Indian mythology, few symbols hold as much charisma and depth as Lord Shiva in his Nataraja form—the Cosmic Dancer. The term "Nataraja" comes from two Sanskrit words: Nata, meaning dancer, and Raja, meaning king. Nataraja, therefore, translates to "The King of Dance," representing Shiva in his dynamic, dance-filled avatar, often referred to as the “Lord of Dance.” This powerful figure stands as the ultimate expression of cosmic energy, symbolizing spiritual triumph. As the Lord of Dance, Nataraja embodies the eternal cycle of time—creation, preservation, and destruction—highlighting Shiva's crucial role as the cosmic creator, preserver, and destroyer.
Mythological Origin
In Hindu scriptures, the story of Nataraja is linked to the demon Apasmara Purusha (Apasmara), who symbolizes ignorance and ego. Apasmara, with the face of a demon and the body of an infant, performed intense penance to gain powers from the gods. As a reward, he was granted the ability to cause seizures and epilepsy in people.
When Apasmara targeted Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva’s wife, she alerted Shiva to the demon's misdeeds. To restore balance, Shiva took the form of Nataraja and performed the cosmic dance, Tandava (dance of bliss, the vigorous form of dance). However, Apasmara could not be killed, as his death would mean attaining knowledge without effort, disrupting the balance between ignorance and wisdom.
To resolve this, Nataraja crushed Apasmara under his right foot, keeping him alive but subdued eternally, thus preserving the cosmic balance.
The Iconography of Nataraja
The form of Nataraja, or Shiva as the Lord of Dance, is rich with symbolic elements that convey deep spiritual and philosophical meanings. Each part of this iconic depiction carries significant insights into the cosmic functions of creation, destruction, and liberation.
The Circle of Fire (Prabhamandala): The ring of fire surrounding Shiva represents the cyclical nature of existence—the endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Fire here is both a symbol of destruction and regeneration, reminding us that endings are not final but are necessary for new beginnings.
The Dance Pose (Ananda Tandava): Shiva’s dance, known as the Ananda Tandava, reflects the dynamic motion of the cosmos. His raised leg signifies liberation and spiritual freedom, while the other leg presses down on Apasmara, the dwarf-like figure symbolizing ignorance and ego. This indicates the triumph of knowledge over ignorance.
The Crescent Moon: The crescent moon adorning Shiva’s head symbolizes the union of the individual soul with the ultimate reality, and it is also linked to Kama, the god of love and desires. It reflects Shiva's role as the master of time and the cycles of nature.
The Serpent Around the Waist: The serpent coiled around Shiva's waist symbolizes the soul’s continuous journey through different bodies in the cycle of life and death, just as a snake sheds its skin. It represents the soul's ability to transcend physical forms.
The Upper Right Hand (Damaru): Shiva holds a drum (Damaru), representing the beat of creation—the primordial sound, "Om," that sets the universe into motion.
The Upper Left Hand (Agni): In his other hand, he holds a flame, symbolizing destruction. This is the fire of dissolution, which leads to transformation and regeneration.
The Lower Right Hand (Abhaya Mudra): Shiva’s hand is raised in the gesture of fearlessness (Abhaya Mudra), offering protection and reassurance to his devotees that they are shielded from fear and ignorance.
The Lower Left Hand (Gajahasta Mudra): This hand points towards his raised foot, symbolizing the path to spiritual liberation.
Cosmic Rhythm: The Dance of Creation, Preservation, and Destruction
Nataraja's dance encapsulates the fundamental rhythm of the cosmos, often referred to as the Tandava. This dance is not a mere performance but a metaphor for the cycles of existence. Just as a dancer’s movement flows through phases, the universe moves through periods of creation, preservation, destruction, and rebirth.
- Creation (Srishti): The dance begins with creation. The Damaru, beating the rhythm of the universe, echoes the vibrations of life itself. Everything we know—space, time, matter—comes into being through this rhythm.
- Preservation (Sthiti): As the dance continues, Shiva preserves the universe, maintaining the balance of life. This is the sustenance phase where life flourishes, nurtured by cosmic energy.
- Destruction (Samhara): The flame in Shiva’s hand symbolizes the destructive forces that eventually consume everything. But this destruction is not to be feared. It is a necessary step for renewal, as death paves the way for new life.
- Obscuration (Tirobhava): Shiva’s dance also obscures the truth, hiding the ultimate reality of the universe from those not yet ready for liberation.
- Grace (Anugraha): Finally, Shiva grants grace, lifting the veil of ignorance and granting enlightenment to those who seek it. His raised foot, pointing upwards, signifies liberation from the cycle of life and death.
Historical Origins and the Legacy of Nataraja in Indian Culture
The Nataraja form of Shiva, depicting the cosmic dance of creation and destruction, has deep historical roots in India. Early representations of Nataraja can be traced back to the 6th century, with notable stone reliefs found in the Ellora, Elephanta, and Badami cave temples. One of the earliest Nataraja artworks, dated to the 6th century CE, was discovered in Asanapat, Odisha, which also mentions a Shiva temple in the Saivacaryas kingdom.
The bronze depiction of Shiva's ananda-tandava, his dance of bliss, emerged during the Pallava period (7th–9th centuries CE) and was worshipped in places like Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, reflecting philosophical ideas of cosmic cycles. The famous Chola bronzes of Nataraja, developed around the 10th century, are renowned for their intricate detail and symbolic meaning, with Nataraja becoming a key symbol of royalty in Tamil Nadu during the Chola era.
One of the significant legends of Nataraja’s dance is tied to Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, where the Nataraja Temple is seen as the spiritual heart of this cosmic dance. Lord Shiva is believed to have performed the Ananda Tandava (Dance of Bliss) here, symbolizing the triumph of knowledge over ignorance. The temple's "Chidambara Rahasya" refers to the hidden presence of the divine in the cosmic void, reflecting Shiva’s dance as a symbol of the universe's rhythm.
Legacy of Nataraja in Science and Art
Interestingly, the imagery of Nataraja has found resonance even in the world of modern science. At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, a statue of Nataraja stands proudly at the entrance. Gifted by the Indian government to honour India's long association with CERN, the statue is accompanied by a plaque quoting physicist Fritjof Capra, highlighting how the metaphor of Shiva’s cosmic dance unifies ancient mythology with modern physics.
Although referred to as "Nataraja bronzes," most Chola Nataraja artworks are cast in copper using the lost-wax process. The Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, celebrates Shiva's dance with 108 poses from Bharatanatyam, inscribed in Sanskrit from the Natya Shastra. One significant celebration is the Natyanjali festival, dedicated to Lord Shiva in his avatar as Nataraja, the cosmic dancer. Held annually on the temple grounds for five days during February and March, this festival honors the divine through a series of performances and cultural expressions, highlighting Nataraja's enduring influence in both spirituality and art. Nataraja continues to inspire awe and remind us of the rhythms that underlie all existence.
Lord Shiva in his Nataraja form stands as a timeless and powerful symbol, embodying the cosmic forces of creation, preservation, destruction, and renewal. His dance transcends mere mythology, serving as a profound metaphor for the rhythm of the universe and the cycles that govern all existence.