In the mid of Margazhi (January), the day before the longest night of the year, almost every household will be in search of pushnikai (pumpkin), mochai (type of bean) and other various but specific groceries. The sweet smell of jaggery and fancy kolams will have adorned these abodes while blasting cooker sounds will inevitably wake you up way too early in the morning. Why? What is so special about this day?
When I asked my parents these questions, they handed me my ever trustworthy Google. After some digging around I realized that this day was THE DAY to be celebrated! Why!? It was the day Lord Siva decided to create the universe!
Wait a minute....Lord Shiva is often known as the destroyer. The one who "cleanses" the world. So, how can he "create" the world?
Actually, he doesn't. Many people misconceive the Siva Thandavam as one dance. However, there are actually two dances; Lasya and Thandavam. Lasya is the dance that aids in the creation of the world. It basically creates a FOUNDATION, a clean slate, for Lord Brahma to commence his creating. Thandavam is the dance that aids in the destruction. The cycle between both dances embodies Shiva's symbolic form as Nataraja.
Speaking of Nataraja, this form of Shiva is structured in such a way that every element of his dance is displayed. Historically, the Chola empire's sculptures of Lord Nataraja are supposed to be the most symmetrical, mythological and mathematically accurate. It is nearly impossible to replicate that perfection today. Lets take a look at the components that make up such a beauty.
In the upper right hand, Lord Nataraja holds a damaru. The damaru is a small drum that symbolizes the sound that originates the creation. What I found interesting here, is that usually a conch is used to represent these things. However, I figure, a drum would be much more easily played while dancing and would be a constant beat to follow for the dance (props to Shiva for practicality!). In his upper left hand, he holds fire. Fire symbolizes the destruction of the old world. Together the drum and the fire represent creation and destruction.
The lower right hand shows a Abhaya Mudra which is a symbol of bestowing fearlessness. The lower left hand points towards the uplifted foot. This looks a bit like an elephant trunk and symbolizes uplifting thoughts and wisdom.
Now, my favorite part, the Lord dances on top of the demon Apasmara. Apasmara is a depicted with a dwarfish body. He represents ignorance. The story goes, that Apasmara gained immortality because of his ignorance. In order to preserve knowledge in the world, ignorance could not be killed. If we think about this, it makes perfect sense. If we are not ignorant, then we do not have the need to learn, or go in search of knowledge. However, because we are born ignorant we try to overcome it by searching for knowledge. Thus, killing Apasmara would mean attaining knowledge without effort, dedication and hard work. Consequently, this would lead to the devaluing of knowledge in all forms. So, what to do?
Thus, during the dance, Lord Siva/Nataraja trapped Apasmara by crushing him with his right foot. Since Apasmara was not to be killed it is believed that Lord Siva forever remains in the form of Lord Nataraja to suppress Apasmara for all eternity.
The symmetry in this is beautiful. If we think of this logically, when the damaru plays, there is a fear in people's mind. A loud sound accompanied by crazed dancing is bound to scare a few. Hence the right hand, bestowing confidence and trust. On the left side, we have fire for destruction and rebirth while the bottom right ensures that our rebirth has components of wisdom and optimism. Lord Siva's right leg is placed right in the middle. This symbolizes that ignorance (Apasmara) is present in both the creation and destruction of the world. However, it can be overcome by searching for knowledge and attaining it.
Now many people believe that every Arudhra Darshanam represents a reminder of the creation of the physical world. Although that might be true, the theological reason behind this celebration is because Thandavam detroys weary thoughts and evil minds while Lasya helps create optimism and happiness. Thus, it is stated that Lord Nataraja dances every year for cleansing the existing world of evil thoughts and providing an opportunity for good things (less dramatic but more practical).
Another theory goes that Apasmara grows stronger throughout the year and just as he plans to descend upon the world, Lord Shiva crushes him and reenacts the dance all over again.
So yes, I lied, this is not a guide to create the universe. But then again, why would we need a guide when we already have someone doing it for us! Either way, for whatever reason the Lord decides to dance, I'm happy as long as yummy Kali and Kootu accompany the show!! Happy Arudhra Darshanam!
When I asked my parents these questions, they handed me my ever trustworthy Google. After some digging around I realized that this day was THE DAY to be celebrated! Why!? It was the day Lord Siva decided to create the universe!
Wait a minute....Lord Shiva is often known as the destroyer. The one who "cleanses" the world. So, how can he "create" the world?
Actually, he doesn't. Many people misconceive the Siva Thandavam as one dance. However, there are actually two dances; Lasya and Thandavam. Lasya is the dance that aids in the creation of the world. It basically creates a FOUNDATION, a clean slate, for Lord Brahma to commence his creating. Thandavam is the dance that aids in the destruction. The cycle between both dances embodies Shiva's symbolic form as Nataraja.
Speaking of Nataraja, this form of Shiva is structured in such a way that every element of his dance is displayed. Historically, the Chola empire's sculptures of Lord Nataraja are supposed to be the most symmetrical, mythological and mathematically accurate. It is nearly impossible to replicate that perfection today. Lets take a look at the components that make up such a beauty.
The lower right hand shows a Abhaya Mudra which is a symbol of bestowing fearlessness. The lower left hand points towards the uplifted foot. This looks a bit like an elephant trunk and symbolizes uplifting thoughts and wisdom.
Now, my favorite part, the Lord dances on top of the demon Apasmara. Apasmara is a depicted with a dwarfish body. He represents ignorance. The story goes, that Apasmara gained immortality because of his ignorance. In order to preserve knowledge in the world, ignorance could not be killed. If we think about this, it makes perfect sense. If we are not ignorant, then we do not have the need to learn, or go in search of knowledge. However, because we are born ignorant we try to overcome it by searching for knowledge. Thus, killing Apasmara would mean attaining knowledge without effort, dedication and hard work. Consequently, this would lead to the devaluing of knowledge in all forms. So, what to do?
Thus, during the dance, Lord Siva/Nataraja trapped Apasmara by crushing him with his right foot. Since Apasmara was not to be killed it is believed that Lord Siva forever remains in the form of Lord Nataraja to suppress Apasmara for all eternity.
The symmetry in this is beautiful. If we think of this logically, when the damaru plays, there is a fear in people's mind. A loud sound accompanied by crazed dancing is bound to scare a few. Hence the right hand, bestowing confidence and trust. On the left side, we have fire for destruction and rebirth while the bottom right ensures that our rebirth has components of wisdom and optimism. Lord Siva's right leg is placed right in the middle. This symbolizes that ignorance (Apasmara) is present in both the creation and destruction of the world. However, it can be overcome by searching for knowledge and attaining it.
Now many people believe that every Arudhra Darshanam represents a reminder of the creation of the physical world. Although that might be true, the theological reason behind this celebration is because Thandavam detroys weary thoughts and evil minds while Lasya helps create optimism and happiness. Thus, it is stated that Lord Nataraja dances every year for cleansing the existing world of evil thoughts and providing an opportunity for good things (less dramatic but more practical).
Another theory goes that Apasmara grows stronger throughout the year and just as he plans to descend upon the world, Lord Shiva crushes him and reenacts the dance all over again.
So yes, I lied, this is not a guide to create the universe. But then again, why would we need a guide when we already have someone doing it for us! Either way, for whatever reason the Lord decides to dance, I'm happy as long as yummy Kali and Kootu accompany the show!! Happy Arudhra Darshanam!
