To: K-list
Recieved: 2001/02/12 12:14
Subject: [K-list] On the Path of Creation and the path of Dissolution
From: Antoine Carré
On 2001/02/12 12:14, Antoine Carré posted thus to the K-list:
<<
There is an interesting legend behind the conception of Shiva as Nataraja:
In a dense forest in South India, there dwelt multitudes of heretical
sages. Thither proceeded Shiva to confute them, accompanied by Vishnu
disguised as a beautiful woman. The sages were at first led to violent
dispute amongst themselves, but their anger was soon directed against
Shiva, and they endeavored to destroy him by means of incantations. A
fierce tiger was created in sacrificial fires, and rushed upon him; but
smiling gently, he seized it and, with the nail of his little finger,
stripped off its skin, and wrapped it about himself like a silken cloth.
Undiscouraged by failure, the sages renewed their offerings, and produced a
monstrous serpent, which however Shiva seized and wreathed about his neck
like a garland. Then he began to dance; but there rushed upon him a last
monster in the shape of a malignant dwarf. Upon him the god pressed the tip
of his foot, and broke the creature's back,so that it writhed upon the
ground; and so, his last foe prostrate, Shiva resumed the dance.
Illustration : <http://www.exoticindiaart.com/brass/zh13.jpg>http://www.exoticindiaart.com/brass/zh13.jpg (Size 73 kb)
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One is tempted to make a link between the legend behind the conception of
Shiva as Nataraja and the writings of the Enuma Elish.
<http://www.sacred-texts.com/ane/enuma.htm>http://www.sacred-texts.com/ane/enuma.htm
One is of Creation - in The world made from the flesh of Tiamat by her
children the Gods -, the other of Destruction, or would it be Dissolution?,
in this nice legend that you bring Nitin G.
Kundalini usually fires in a nice way on the path of dissolution.
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Sloka 46
SINJANA-MANI-MANJIRA-MANDITA-SRIPADAMBUJA
(The lotus feet are adorned with tinkling jeweled anklets)
The anklets of Mother's feet are studded with jewels of red color and
produce sound. Sinjana represents the ceaseless sound in the universe. If
there is no movement the anklets would not produce sound; similarly, if the
activity of the universe ceases there is no sound; it means that the
dissolution of the universe is taking place.
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From Lalita Sahasranama by Shri Vedavyasa translated into English by R.
Prasad
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What Is the Symbolism of Siva's Dance?
SHLOKA 15
The symbolism of Siva Nataraja is religion, art and science merged as one.
In God's endless dance of creation, preservation, destruction and paired
graces is hidden a deep understanding of our universe. Aum Namah Sivaya.
BHASHYA
Nataraja, the King of Dance, has four arms. The upper right hand holds the
drum from which creation issues forth. The lower right hand is raised in
blessing, betokening preservation. The upper left hand holds a flame,
which is destruction, the dissolution of form. The right leg, representing
obscuring grace, stands upon Apasmarapurusha, a soul temporarily
earth-bound by its own sloth, confusion and forgetfulness. The uplifted
left leg is revealing grace, which releases the mature soul from bondage.
The lower left hand gestures toward that holy foot in assurance that Siva's
grace is the refuge for everyone, the way to liberation. The circle of
fire represents the cosmos and especially consciousness. The all-devouring
form looming above is Mahakala, "Great Time." The cobra around Nataraja's
waist is kundalini shakti, the soul-impelling cosmic power resident within
all. Nataraja's dance is not just a symbol. It is taking place within
each of us, at the atomic level, this very moment. The agamas proclaim,
"The birth of the world, its maintenance, its destruction, the soul's
obscuration and liberation are the five acts of His dance." Aum Namah
Sivaya.
>>
From Dancing with Shiva mainling list at SpiritWeb.org
Antoine
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