The Art and Symbolism of Nataraja: Unraveling the Mysteries of
Lord Shiva's Cosmic Dance
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
Nataraja form symbolizes the destruction of the universe. The
Lord performs Rudra Tandava to destroy the illusion, an evil
residing within the hearts of the living beings. The destruction
is the end of the cycle of birth and death, and the beginning of
spiritual enlightenment of the individual souls misguided by
Maya (illusion).
Lord Nataraja wears a serpent coiled around his neck. He holds
'Agni' (fire) in his posterior left hand which signifies the
energetic vibrations for the destruction of the world. His
anterior left hand takes the shape of Gajahasta (Elephant hand)
or Dandahasta, showering his blessings upon his devotees, and
extends towards his left leg. There is a snake wrapped in his
anterior right arm that represents 'Abhaya' (without any fear).
His posterior right hand is carrying a musical instrument
'Damroo', which represents time and rhythm. His whirling hair
stands out as a fan behind his head as he performs the divine
cosmic dance He is surrounded by a fiery ring 'Prabha Mandala'
that represents the material world, full of suffering and pain.
Thus, this form of Lord shiva ultimately depicts the destruction
of the ignorance of all the spirit souls, showing them the path
to liberation.
What is special about Nataraja?
Nataraja is considered one of the highest forms of Lord Shiva in
which he performs the functions of creation, maintenance, and
destruction of this material world. Shaivites worship this form
of Shiva and take blessings from him to remove all obstacles in
their devotional life. His three eyes symbolize an equilibrium
of the three modes of material nature namely sattva (mode of
goodness), rajas (mode of passion), and tamas (mode of
ignorance). The special purpose of his Tandava (transcendental
dance) is to release the conditioned souls of this material
world from the clutches of Maya which is the external energy of
the Supreme Lord Vishnu or Krishna.
Who is under the feet of Nataraja?
Lord Nataraja stands on a lotus pedestal placing his right foot
on the dwarf demon named Apasmara. This demon represents
spiritual ignorance and nonsensical speech. According to the
Vedic scriptures, ignorance is the greatest enemy and obstacle
on the path of self-realization. To preserve knowledge in the
world, Apasmara must be subdued to bring about spiritual
knowledge or transcendental wisdom. For this purpose, Lord Shiva
assumed the form of Nataraja and with his rhythmic movements, he
placed his foot on the demon Apasmara and crushed him to death.
Thus, signifying that whoever takes the shelter of Nataraja, is
freed from ignorance and has his doors open for spiritual
advancement.
Can we keep Nataraja statue at home?
Many people believe that the statue of Nataraja should not be
kept and worshiped at home because this form of Lord Shiva is
associated with ultimate destruction. They believe that it will
only bring about auspiciousness in their lives. However, as
discussed earlier, Nataraja's Tandava dance has a deeper
meaning. It is the celebration of the destruction of ignorance
in the path of self-realization which is in fact the victory of
good over evil. Thus, one can surely keep the statue in their
home.
How to keep a Brass statue well-maintained?
Brass statues are known and appreciated for their exquisite beauty and luster. The brilliant bright gold appearance of Brass makes it appropriate for casting aesthetic statues and sculptures. Brass is a metal alloy composed mainly of copper and zinc. This chemical composition makes brass a highly durable and corrosion-resistant material. Due to these properties, Brass statues and sculptures can be kept both indoors as well as outdoors. They also last for many decades without losing all their natural shine.
Brass statues can withstand even harsh weather conditions very well due to their corrosion-resistance properties. However, maintaining the luster and natural beauty of brass statues is essential if you want to prolong their life and appearance.
- The best and simplest way to maintain a brass statue is to clean it at least twice a week using a soft cloth or cotton rag. This will prevent dust from accumulating on the surface. Dusting is especially important for outdoor statues since it is prone to dust accumulation much more than indoors.
- To give a natural shine and luster to the statue, you may apply coconut or olive oil using cotton on every portion. You can use a toothbrush to get to the small crevices but do not be too harsh. This will make the brass statue appear fresh and new with a polished look.
In case you have a colored brass statue, you may apply mustard oil using a soft brush or clean cloth on the brass portion while for the colored portion of the statue, you may use coconut oil with a cotton cloth.
Brass idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses are especially known for their intricate and detailed work of art. Nepalese sculptures are famous for small brass idols portraying Buddhist deities. These sculptures are beautified with gold gilding and inlay of precious or semi-precious stones. Religious brass statues can be kept at home altars. You can keep a decorative brass statue in your garden or roof to embellish the area and fill it with divinity.