Shiva communicates the truth of life through dance. Dance is the symbol of life. It is impermanent, lasting as long as the dancer dances. It flows through space and time, unfettered by any dimension or moment. The wheel around the dancing Shiva is the merry-go-round of wordly events. The ego is swept away by the wheel. Shiva crushes the ego and dances on its back, offering an alternative. He balances himself on his right foot, indicative of the still Purusha, and swings his left leg, indicative of the ever-changing Prakriti. His right hand comforts his devotees while his left hand points to the interaction of the left and right feet.
The fire he holds in one hand is tapa, ignited by refusing to submit to wordly stimuli. The rattle-drum in the other is created with the downward-pointing triangle of matter separeted from upward-pointing triangle of the spirit.
Taken by the book:
Myth=Mithya
A handbook of Hindu Mythology
written by Dr Devdutt Pattanaik
www.penguinbooksindia.com
....constructed over generations, Hindu myths serve as window to the soul, and provide an understanding of the world around us. The aim is not to outgrow myth, but to be enriched and empowered by its ancient potent and still relevant language...
Friday, June 15, 2007
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