Description
Lord Shiva appears in the form of Nataraja to perform his divine act of Cosmic dance (Tandava). The word Nataraja denotes “The King of Dance”. Natya means “Dance” and Raja means “King”. The Prabha Mandala, “a ring of flames”, envelops the Lord, representing the eternal cycle of creation and destruction. With a “Damaru” in his upper right hand, He orchestrates the cosmic dance, while the upper left hand holds the fierce “Agni”, signifying both the creative and destructive forces of the universe. A Cobra uncoils from his lower right forearm, offering the “Abhaya Mudra”, granting fearlessness to his devotees, shielding them from evil and ignorance. His lower left hand, crosses his chest, points towards his raised foot, signifying peace and salvation, a reminder of the path to inner enlightenment. Shiva’s right foot crushes Apasmara Purusha, the dwarf figure symbolising illusion and ignorance. This artwork captures the cosmic balance of creation and destruction, the pursuit of knowledge over ignorance, and the eternal quest for salvation.
