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Shiva Nataraja, "Lord of the Cosmic Dance": Shiva as Creator and Destroyer of the universe.
Shiva& #39;s creative dance is set within a flaming ring [prabha-mandala]: cosmic fire that creates & consumes everything in the cycle of life.
Upper right hand holds the damaru [hour-glass drum that made 1st sounds of creation]-upper left hand holds agni [flame destroying universe]
![Shiva& #39;s creative dance is set within a flaming ring [prabha-mandala]: cosmic fire that creates & consumes everything in the cycle of life.Upper right hand holds the damaru [hour-glass drum that made 1st sounds of creation]-upper left hand holds agni [flame destroying universe]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EVGUg2VU4AAqBT5.jpg "Shiva& #39;s creative dance is set within a flaming ring [prabha-mandala]: cosmic fire that creates & consumes everything in the cycle of life.Upper right hand holds the damaru [hour-glass drum that made 1st sounds of creation]-upper left hand holds agni [flame destroying universe]")
Upper right hand holds the damaru [hour-glass drum that made 1st sounds of creation]-upper left hand holds agni [flame destroying universe]
Shiva& #39;s lower right hand makes the abhaya-mudra [the & #39;fear not& #39; gesture] that allays all fears & bestows protection.
Shiva& #39;s front left hand [elephant hand-Gaja Hasta mudra] pointing to his raised left foot signifies release from the sufferings of Maya.
![Shiva& #39;s lower right hand makes the abhaya-mudra [the & #39;fear not& #39; gesture] that allays all fears & bestows protection.Shiva& #39;s front left hand [elephant hand-Gaja Hasta mudra] pointing to his raised left foot signifies release from the sufferings of Maya.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EVGaHg8UMAA_phJ.jpg "Shiva& #39;s lower right hand makes the abhaya-mudra [the & #39;fear not& #39; gesture] that allays all fears & bestows protection.Shiva& #39;s front left hand [elephant hand-Gaja Hasta mudra] pointing to his raised left foot signifies release from the sufferings of Maya.")
Shiva& #39;s front left hand [elephant hand-Gaja Hasta mudra] pointing to his raised left foot signifies release from the sufferings of Maya.
The dwarf-like demon figure being trampled by his right foot represents apasmara purusha, the ignorance & illusion which leads mankind astray.
The enigmatic smiling face of Shiva represents the Mask of Eternity:
The silent, still point of the Absolute despite being immersed in the cyclical, conflicting forces of creation-destruction of the universe, brought forth by his cosmic dance of swirling arms & flying legs.
The silent, still point of the Absolute despite being immersed in the cyclical, conflicting forces of creation-destruction of the universe, brought forth by his cosmic dance of swirling arms & flying legs.
As Shiva& #39;s creative & destructive forces are the same principle, so the radiance of the Absolute (Brahman) shines within each of our souls (Ātman) undyingly as one essence [1]
The artwork used in this thread of Shiva Nataraja, "Lord of the Cosmic Dance" is made of copper alloy ca.950-1000 AD from Tamil Nadu, India- at The Los Angeles County Museum of Art [2]
