On the Path of Creation and the path of Dissolution

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There is an interesting legend behind the conception of Shiva as Nataraja:

In a dense forest in South India, there dwelt multitudes of heretical

sages. Thither proceeded Shiva to confute them, accompanied by Vishnu

disguised as a beautiful woman. The sages were at first led to violent

dispute amongst themselves, but their anger was soon directed against

Shiva, and they endeavored to destroy him by means of incantations. A

fierce tiger was created in sacrificial fires, and rushed upon him; but

smiling gently, he seized it and, with the nail of his little finger,

stripped off its skin, and wrapped it about himself like a silken cloth.

Undiscouraged by failure, the sages renewed their offerings, and produced a

monstrous serpent, which however Shiva seized and wreathed about his neck

like a garland. Then he began to dance; but there rushed upon him a last

monster in the shape of a malignant dwarf. Upon him the god pressed the tip

of his foot, and broke the creature's back,so that it writhed upon the

ground; and so, his last foe prostrate, Shiva resumed the dance.

 

Illustration : http://www.exoticindiaart.com/brass/zh13.jpg (Size 73 kb)

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One is tempted to make a link between the legend behind the conception of

Shiva as Nataraja and the writings of the Enuma Elish.

http://www.sacred-texts.com/ane/enuma.htm

 

One is of Creation - in The world made from the flesh of Tiamat by her

children the Gods -, the other of Destruction, or would it be Dissolution?,

in this nice legend that you bring Nitin G.

 

Kundalini usually fires in a nice way on the path of dissolution.

 

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Sloka 46

SINJANA-MANI-MANJIRA-MANDITA-SRIPADAMBUJA

(The lotus feet are adorned with tinkling jeweled anklets)

 

The anklets of Mother's feet are studded with jewels of red color and

produce sound. Sinjana represents the ceaseless sound in the universe. If

there is no movement the anklets would not produce sound; similarly, if the

activity of the universe ceases there is no sound; it means that the

dissolution of the universe is taking place.

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>From Lalita Sahasranama by Shri Vedavyasa translated into English by R.

Prasad

 

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What Is the Symbolism of Siva's Dance?

 

SHLOKA 15

 

The symbolism of Siva 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. Aum Namah Sivaya.

 

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 Siva'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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>From Dancing with Shiva mainling list at SpiritWeb.org

 

 

Antoine