THE COMPLETE DETAILS OF NATRAJA SHIVA (THE LORD OF DANCE / THE KING OF DANCE / THE COSMIC DANCER)
The word ‘Natraja’ is derived from Sanskrit words ‘Natya’ (Dance) & ‘Raja‘ King). This is the 1st marvelous sculpture which you will see. You would feel that it is incomplete.
The word ‘Natraja’ is derived from Sanskrit words ‘Natya’ (Dance) & ‘Raja‘ King). This is the 1st marvelous sculpture which you will see. You would feel that it is incomplete.
The significance of Natraja is that the Lord Shiva is shown as source of all movements within the Cosmos
As Natraja, Lord Shiva represents apocalypse & creation as he dances away the illusory world of Maya transforming it into power & enlightenment.
As Natraja, Lord Shiva represents apocalypse & creation as he dances away the illusory world of Maya transforming it into power & enlightenment.
THE DETAILS OF NATRAJA
The calm face of Lord Shiva represents neutrality, thus being in balance
The figure of Natraja has 8 arms.
1st Arm – Passes across the body to the left side, It symbolizes upliftment and liberation.
2nd Arm – Bent outwards (maybe giving the blessings)
The calm face of Lord Shiva represents neutrality, thus being in balance
The figure of Natraja has 8 arms.
1st Arm – Passes across the body to the left side, It symbolizes upliftment and liberation.
2nd Arm – Bent outwards (maybe giving the blessings)
3rd Arm – Probably holding the Parasu (weapon gifted to Lord Shiva by Parshuram, the 6th avatar of Lord Vishnu), a battle axe with a cobra on it, broken.
4th Arm – Bent upwards, touching the parasu, broken. According to many other sculptures it should have been holding a damaru
4th Arm – Bent upwards, touching the parasu, broken. According to many other sculptures it should have been holding a damaru
with a specific hand gesture called damaru-hasta. Is symbolizes passage of time or creation of the universe.
5th & 6th Arm – Bent down, broken. 1 of these 2 arms should hold fire. which signifies destruction
5th & 6th Arm – Bent down, broken. 1 of these 2 arms should hold fire. which signifies destruction
7th Arm – Bent a little up, broken, the 2nd right hand is in Abhaya Mudra (Fearlessness), gifting protection from both evil & ignorance.
8th Arm – Goes upward, seems to be holding a portion of robe.
The right thigh is broken & the left leg is completely gone.
8th Arm – Goes upward, seems to be holding a portion of robe.
The right thigh is broken & the left leg is completely gone.
The armlet worn by Lord Shiva is prominent.
AROUND THE NATRAJA-
1- To the right side of Lord Shiva is Lord Ganesha
2- A little below Lord Ganesha there is a skeletal form of Bhiringi.
Bhiringi is the attendant & a devotee of Lord Shiva.
AROUND THE NATRAJA-
1- To the right side of Lord Shiva is Lord Ganesha
2- A little below Lord Ganesha there is a skeletal form of Bhiringi.
Bhiringi is the attendant & a devotee of Lord Shiva.
3- Below Lord Ganesha, is a male with a high cap holding a spear in his right hand. He is Lord Kumara, the commander in chief of the Gods.
Lord Kumara is the God of War, Victory, Wisdom & Love. Also known as Murugan.
4- The figure sitting just below Kumara is probably Tandu.
Lord Kumara is the God of War, Victory, Wisdom & Love. Also known as Murugan.
4- The figure sitting just below Kumara is probably Tandu.
Tandu is an attendant of Lord Shiva, He is also responsible for Tandava, the posture in which Lord Shiva is right now. It is one of the postures from a collection of 32 Angaharas and 108 Karanas.
5- Above the whole group there is Lord Brahma, The god of creation.
5- Above the whole group there is Lord Brahma, The god of creation.
6- On the Left of Lord Shiva is his wife Parvati.
7- Above Parvati’s right shoulder we could see Lord Vishnu riding his vehicle Garuda (An Eagle) whose face is badly damaged.
8- On the Left of Lord Vishnu, man riding an Elephant is Lord Indra riding his vehicle Airavat.
7- Above Parvati’s right shoulder we could see Lord Vishnu riding his vehicle Garuda (An Eagle) whose face is badly damaged.
8- On the Left of Lord Vishnu, man riding an Elephant is Lord Indra riding his vehicle Airavat.
Credit- An article by Jatin Shah Ji on The Creativity Engine (Wordpress).
