Natesh (Lord Shiva as a Dancer)

Natesh (Lord Shiva as a Dancer)

 Pratihara Dynasty, 8th Century AD

              The post- Gupta Period saw the resurgence of Hinduism.  Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva emerged as two leading Gods of Hindu Trinity.  Initially called Rudra in the Vedas and Puranas, Lord Shiva was seen as God of destruction.  As Natraj (the God of Dance) he is shown doing the 'Tandav' dance (dance full of energy and dynamism), the dance of destruction itself. 

               But here He is shown in a more peaceful posture as a dancer.  He carries His trident and an axe. The trident symbolises the three states of the mind, the conscious, the sub - conscious, and the unconscious, all held by a single shaft--one mind. The axe stands for our ability to cut through the illusionary world we live in--whether it be a world we create for ourself or the impermanent world we see around us. In His lower hand, He carries a bowl--the bowl has fire, the symbol of our last destination,  cremation or liberation of the soul. The fourth hand is in 'Abhaya  Mudra' meaning "fear not." 

            Trying to  control the three states of the mind, trying to  cut through the illusionary world, trying to  liberate the soul, you have nothing to worry, once you have come to the refuge of the divinity. This is the message of the calm dancer, Natesh ( the Dancer).