PARAKUNNATH SREE VETTAKKORUMAKAN PAYYAN KSHETHRAM (TEMPLE), AROLI, KANNUR, KERALA: Lord Shiva mentioned in the Rig Veda, is normally associated with destruction.

Saturday, 4 March 2017

Lord Shiva mentioned in the Rig Veda, is normally associated with destruction.

Lord Shiva mentioned in the Rig Veda, is normally associated with destruction. However, Shiva is also associated with reincarnation, since in Hinduism death is believed to be a necessary step for rebirth. Shiva has different aspects that appear at different times. Shiva is often depicted as Dancing Natraja. This is Shiva engaged in a cosmic dance. The energy from this dance sustains the cosmos, and when Shiva is finished with this dance, this universe will end and a new one will begin.

Natraja is shown with four hands represent the cardinal directions. He is dancing, with his left foot elegantly raised and the right foot on a prostrate 'Apasmara Purusha', the personification of illusion and ignorance over whom Shiva triumphs. The upper left hand holds a flame, the lower left-hand points down to the dwarf, who is shown holding a cobra. The upper right-hand holds an hourglass drum or 'dumroo' that stands for the male-female vital principle, the lower shows the gesture of assertion ; "Be without fear."
Snakes that stand for egotism, are seen uncoiling from his arms, legs, and hair, which is braided and bejewelled. His matted locks are whirling as he dances within an arch of flames representing the endless cycle of birth and death. On his head is a skull, which symbolises his conquest over death. His third eye is symbolic of his omniscience, insight, and enlightenment.

This cosmic dance of Shiva symbolizes the cosmic cycles of creation and destruction, as well as the daily rhythm of birth and death. The dance is a pictorial allegory of the five principle manifestations of eternal energy; creation, destruction, preservation, salvation, and illusion!