Lord Shiva as Nataraja; the iconic Dance Pose

Lord Shiva as Nataraja; the iconic Dance Pose

Dancing in joy is one of the most ethereal activities, and it becomes much more beautiful when the dancer is Lord Shiva Himself.

Lord Shiva’s celestial dance represents the five facets of cosmic control: creation, continuation, annihilation, illusion, and grace.

When God dances, the vibrations of His hand drum reverberate across the universe, causing all matter and energy to resound. His actions produce a divine atmosphere in which the created matter’s triple attributes show. His actions dispel the illusion of self-importance and pride, resulting in God’s grace.

The beautiful symbolism of Nataraja poses

And therefore, Lord Nataraja is a brilliant manifestation of Lord Shiva and His message to mankind.  The pose reflects Lord Shiva’s trifold role as creator, sustainer, and annihilator of the universe. The Nataraja pose also conveys the never-ending cycle of time.

Further in the pose, Lord Shiva holds in his upper right hand the hand drum (Damaru) making the first sound of creation. His upper left hand holds the fire that will wipe out the universe.

Lord Shiva performs the brave gesture (Abhayamudra) with His lower right hand, and a dwarflike figure under His right feet indicates the conquest of illusion.

Moreover, God’s front left hand, pointing to His raised left foot, intends refuge for the troubled soul, and the intense energy of His dance moves makes His hair fly.

Such a beautiful dance pose implies- devotees can achieve salvation through faith in Lord Shiva.

Hence, Lord Shiva as Nataraja is an extraordinary manifestation that removes all doubts of Shiva devotees letting them move on the path of deliverance while dancing with joy.

Also, while Lord Shiva as a ‘Dancing God’ is full of mysticism, dance, as a simple activity, is full of amazing benefits.

Dance, an outlet for natural impulses

Primarily, dance is a movement of the body that is beneficial anyway. It helps human beings to flourish while enjoying the delights of existence. It helps them flourish because it is an outlet for natural impulses. And when these impulses release, they bring about many emotional as well as physical benefits.

In fact, a wish to dance in joy is the very beginning of all human life. That’s why, soon after babies start growing, they begin to move and dance in happiness. Notice toddlers and young children and you’ll find natural energy in them keeping them busy exploring the space around them. They want to dance all the time.

So, parents must encourage their children to dance. It helps in their natural growth.

More so, dance training should be an integral part of education due to its emotional and physical health benefits.

Dancing, an exercise & meditation

Dancing is also a type of exercise that is suitable for all ages. It also has the ability to put you in a trance for a while. It immerses you in the present moment as if you are meditating. The bodily movement enhances energy, keeps you fit and boosts self-confidence.

Undoubtedly, it is one of the best types of exercise because it involves the entire body. It helps in building muscles and strengthens your body. The rhythmic movement enhances blood circulation and also improves your balance, posture, and physical flexibility.

Dance in Joy

Furthermore, dancing also helps people relax just like meditation. It allows them to immerse themselves in the music and enjoy every moment. It helps a person in concentrating while allowing them to experience happiness and inner bliss, which is the ultimate goal of meditation.

Thus, dance in joy often, keeping in mind the beautiful pose of Lord Shiva’s Nataraja form. It will always keep you healthy, happy, and meditative.