Numerous Shaivite temples, especially those in South India, depict Nataraja as Shiva Nataraja with Shivakami, the Hindu god Shiva in his incarnation as the cosmic dancer ( “Lord of the Dance”).
The Hindu faith is a sea filled with some of the most well-known stories and deep spiritual truths. Hindu literature including the Vedas, epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana, and different Hindu Puranas all make reference to these myths.
Each of these writings contains important knowledge and information on Hindu gods, including their myths and historical stories. Numerous studies and inquiries have been done up to this point, but devotees and others are still interested in learning the eternal truths.
Lord Shiva’s incarnation as Nataraja is the subject of one of the wildest myths involving Hindu deities. The most coveted Lord Nataraja is revered and regarded as both dangerous and sacred. When viewers gaze at the image, it appears both calming and frightful.
The origins of Nataraja:
According to Hindu Vedic writings like Puranas, Vedas, or epics, there are a few fascinating tales that explain Lord Nataraja’s existence, you can see the Shiva Nataraja Rare Bronze in the south Indian temples. Standing in a position from the well-known Tandava dance style is Nataraja Murti. According to the texts, Lord Shiva performed the Tandava in two different ways to show his emotions of rage and joy. As strange as the form of Lord Shiva is, it is equally attractive. What Shiva wears also has very broad meanings:
Hair: Shiva’s hair is a symbol of space.
Moon: Moon is a symbol of the mind. Shiva’s mind is innocent, pure, bright, and awake like the moon.
Trinetra: Shiva has three eyes. That is why he is also called Trilochan. These eyes of Shiva symbolize sattva, rajas, tamas (three Gunas), past, present, future (three periods), heaven, earth, paatala (three worlds).
Sarpahar: A violent creature like a snake is under Shiva. The snake is a tamoguni and a destroying creature, which Shiva has kept under his control.
Trishul: Shiva has a deadly weapon in his hand. Trishul destroys these three heats, physical, divine and spiritual.
Damru: Shiva has a Damru in one hand, which he plays while performing the Tandava dance. The sound of Damru is the form of Brahma.
Mundmala: Shiva has a garland around his neck, which is a symbol of the fact that Shiva has subdued death.
Bark: Shiva is wearing tiger skin, that is, tiger skin on his body. Tiger is considered a symbol of violence and arrogance. It means that Shiva has suppressed violence and ego and has suppressed it.
Bhasma: Bhasma is applied to the body of Shiva. Shivling is also consecrated with ashes. The coating of ashes tells that this world is mortal.
Vrishabha: The vehicle of Shiva is Vrishabha i.e. ox and named “Nandi”. He is always with Shiva. ox is a symbol of religion. Mahadev rides this four-legged animal, which tells that Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha are attained only by his grace.
In this way, Shiva-Swaroop tells us that his form is vast and infinite, and the glory is unparalleled. The whole creation is contained in him.
There are two well-known legends that describe how Nataraja first manifested.
According to the first tale, Lord Shiva once had a delightful thought of dancing while he and Maa Parvati were relaxing on Mount Kailash. Maa Parvati was invited to compete in a dance contest with Lord Shiva to discover who could dance more effectively. At that same moment, Maa Parvati took the form of Maa Kali, assumed the role of the program’s host, and invited all the gods to perform and join as audience members. Lord Vishnu was given the responsibility of judging the dance competition.
Many gods provided musical beats, and Lord Shiva danced joyfully known as the Aanand Tandava to the beats. Everyone was enthralled by Lord Shiva’s magnificent dancing. Maa Kali, who was pleased by Shiva’s dance, granted Shiva the blessing that this type of Tandava would become known as Anand Tandava and take away people’s grief. This dance’s static Natya position is referred to as the Nataraja idol.
Another story is that Lord Shiva conducted the Rudra Tandava to subdue the dwarf demon Apasmara. The universe’s sicknesses and spiritual ignorance are represented by the demon Apasmara. Apasmara’s abilities increased, and he gained strength. He began causing trouble in the universe as a result, upsetting the sages and ruining everything in his path. Since the demon cannot be slain, it became crucial to have him under control.
One day Shiva with maa Parvati traveled to the location where sages were conducting rites, Shiva dressed as a beggar. The holy couple was welcomed by the wives of the sages, but the male sages gave Apasmara the order to assault them. Maa Parvati was assaulted by Apasmara, who rendered her comatose. Because of this, Lord Shiva became enraged, assumed the shape of Lord Nataraja, began to execute the Rudra Tandava, and crushed Apasmara under his feet.
Natraja:
Shiva, the Hindu god, is portrayed as the celestial cosmic dancer in Nataraja, you can see lord shiva’s statues in South Indian temples, Colored Wooden Statue of Shiva Nataraja is also a statue representing Lord Shiva as Natraja.
Tandava is the name of the dance Lord Shiva performs. The dance murti is present in all significant Hindu temples of Shaivism, and the position and artwork are mentioned in numerous Hindu writings such as the Anshumadbhed agama and Uttarakamika agama. It is a well-known sculptural emblem in India and is frequently utilized as a representation of Indian culture. especially considered one of the best examples of Hindu art.
The sculpture’s style and proportions, which were created in accordance with Hindu literature on the arts, are emblematic of Shiva as the lord of dance and dramatic arts. Typically, Shiva is depicted dancing in a Natya Shastra stance while holding a variety of symbols that change.
