Relationship with the divine in Hinduism is depicted through symbolic portrayals of gods, including the classic depiction of Shiva Nataraja, that serve as moral compasses and direction in life. Shiva Nataraja is commonly seen within a ring of fire balancing on one leg. This famous symbolic gesture and artwork as a whole is supposed to represent the Dance of Bliss and its various meanings.
The sculpture of Shiva Nataraja performing the dance of bliss uses symbolism, a tool by which the Hindu gods can communicate their morals and beliefs. One of the many reproductions of Shiva Nataraja performing the Dance of bliss is “Shiva as Lord of Dance” in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.[1] The sculpture dates back to the eleventh century and is made from copper alloy. [2]The first depiction of Shiva as the Lord of Dance was during the Chola period in India between 880- 1279.[3] In the Hindu religion, religious beliefs and depictions of gods are represented through symbolism. Each god has different symbols that represent different beliefs. Gods in Hinduism serve as a moral compass and a guide to help one live a successful life and hopefully reach Nirvana. Shiva is often regarded as one of the most important and crucial figures in Hinduism. Since Gods are a higher and greater force above humans, Hindu gods are not to take a human form. Shiva is commonly seen doing the “dance of bliss”.[4] In this portrayal of Shiva; Shiva is balancing one foot on a lotus pedestal within a ring of fire. The positioning of the right and left feet is called “Apsmara Purusha”- meaning the personification of illusion and oblivion that Shiva exemplifies.[5] Shiva and the entire idol is held up by a lotus pedestal, which is to represent the creative forces of the universe. Shiva is shown with multiple arms and hands each doing different things. The gesture of the lower right hand is supposed to represent fearlessness, while his upper right hand holds an hourglass drum meaning the vital male and female principles in the religion. The upper left hand grasps a flame, which represents Shiva’s dominance over a considered harmful and feared substance. In Shiva’s hair, arms, and legs a snake uncoils- symbolic of egotism. On top of Shiva’s head is a skull which is supposed to represent Shiva’s conquest and dominance over death. Along with Shiva’s many arms, Shiva also has three eyes. The third eye stands for insight, englightenment and omniscience.[6] Lastly, the ring of fire that surrounds Shiva and it’s many symbols has multiple meanings- the most important being the never ending cycle of birth, death, and rebirth along with the cycle of creation and destruction. These various symbols all describe Shiva’s morals and beliefs in one piece of work. Belief and worshipping of Shiva is often in order to receive salvation- which in Hinduism is Nirvana. This is an example of how ones relationship with God in Hinduism is depicted through symbolic gestures and motifs that serve as direction towards achieving Nirvana- the ultimate Hindu goal. Thus, ones relationship with the divine is better understood, and allows for a closer connection to the divine, with the use of symbolism in Hindu art.
Shiva Nataraja performing the dance of bliss originated during the Chola Empire between 880- 1279 in India. The story most commonly associated with the famous portrayal of Shiva is when Shiva appears in the Tillai forest. Shiva is in disguise as a wandering beggar in order to deceive and fool the men and women who betrayed proper worship and respect towards Shiva. Shiva dramatically defeats them all and then performs the victory dance- the dance of bliss. This victory positions Shiva at the top of the Hindu divine hierarchy. Thought by scholar Padma Kaimal, the victory dance may be a parallel to the warrior dances of the Chola themselves.[7] The Chola kingdom expanded in not only southern India but also to Sri Lanka, peninsular Malaya, western Borneo, and other islands of archipelago Southeast Asia. Once the Chola’s became a united state, their expansion spread across trade routes over the Indian ocean and to Southeast Asia. Originally, The social caste was strict and allowed for little social mobility; but the extreme innovation and creativity that occurred made reorganization and more oppurtunities to be successful within the social hierarchy. The many different cultures and homelands that were apart of the Chola Empire were also large factors in the change of the social caste. There were equal oppurtunities available for women during this time as well. The Chola culture largely revolved around the Hindu gods, which were influential to a large amount of innovation and creativity that occurred during this time. “Specific areas of achievement included literature, bronze statuary and works, and architecture, particularly in terms of temple architecture.” [8]In 1009, the Temple of Shiva at Thanjavur was built. It is noted to this day as one of the masterpieces of classic style of Southern India. The Chola Empire were extremely innovative and often depicted gods and goddesses such as Shiva.[9] Artwork added a new dimension to people’s relationship with the divine because it served as a visual and gave people a better understanding of their religion and moralities. The Chola’s are largely responsible to this important aspect of Hinduism because along with their creativity and innovation, their increasing power and dominance over Asia played a large factor in the popularity of Hinduism because more and more people saw the Hindu artwork and the symbolism. The Chola’s innovation along with their increasing power made for Hinduism and Hinduism artwork to increase in popularity. Without their innovation, Hindu artwork and the great importance it plays in Hinduism could possibly not be around today.
In Hinduism there are many different sacred texts still referred to currently, one of them being the Puranas. There are eighteen Puranas and they are a collection of mythology, hymns, ancient history, rules of life, rituals, instructions, knowledge, and cosmology. Majority of the Puranas were completed around 500 AD. Six of the eighteen Puranas are devoted to Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva each.[10]
The Puranas’ stories are supposed to serve as specific examples to further prove the Vedas. In one quote from the Puranas, it says “Having thus drawn off the milk of perfect righteousness, let a man boil it, brother, on the fire of desirelessness. When boiled, let him cool it with the wind of contentment and forbearance and make it into curd with the rennet of fortitude and self-control.”[11] This quote describes the personal goals each Hindu should have for themselves, but they do so in a metaphorical away with symbolism and detailed imagery. The Puranas focus largely on the themes of the creation of the universe, its destruction and renovation, the genealogy of gods and patriarchs, the reigns of the Manus, and the history of the solar and lunar races of kings. Because the Puranas’ have been translated into all major Indian languages as well as English, they have become one of the most popular and widely read scriptures of Hinduism. Similar to the visual representation of Hindu gods, the Puranas are a set of scriptures that are largely for interpretation because of their creativity and imagination. They represent the mythric culture of Hinduism. The Puranas also helped in the transition from Brahminism to Hinduism. Hinduism was more in touch to popular forms of worship, devotion, and every day arts and sciences. The stories describe gods that became the object of people’s worship and devotion- these gods are no longer Vedic gods but rather make up the Hindu trinity. The stories, similar to the artwork that often depicts these specific stories, serve as guidelines and a moral compass between the divine and the worshipper. They discuss Dharmic activity and how to accomplish such activities so one can lead a successful life and reach nirvana.[12] The sacred text of the Puranas is similar to Hinduism artwork because they both serve as direction and guidance on how to achieve a religiously fulfilling lifestyle. They both do so through symbolic forms of expression whether through visual representations of symbolism or written symbolism and motifs.
Relationship with the Divine in Hinduism is expressed through various methods of symbolism. Symbolism serves to communicate the beliefs and morals that each god represents. Symbolism allows for people to better understand how they should go about life. The morals and beliefs that each god has, becomes directions and guidelines on how the believer and worshipper should live their life. Without symbolism, people would not be able to understand these messages. Relationship with the divine in Hinduism is a close relationship made understandable through various forms of expression- either visual or written.
[1] Metropolitan Museum of Art, Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja), http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/60006319?rpp=20&pg=1&ft=shiva&pos=2
[2] Metropolitan Museum of Art, Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja), http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/60006319?rpp=20&pg=1&ft=shiva&pos=2
[3] Metropolitan Museum of Art, Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja), http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/60006319?rpp=20&pg=1&ft=shiva&pos=2
[4] History/Art/Culture Sacred Dance http://www.asia.si.edu/explore/indianart/sacreddance.asp
[5] Sanatan Society http://www.sanatansociety.org/hindu_gods_and_goddesses/shiva.htm
[6] Metropolitan Museum of Art, Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja), http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/60006319?rpp=20&pg=1&ft=shiva&pos=2
[7] History/Art/Culture Sacred Dance http://www.asia.si.edu/explore/indianart/sacreddance.asp
[8] Encyclopedia of World History: The Expanding World, 600 CE to 1450 http://online.infobaselearning.com/HistoryDatabaseSearch.aspx
[9] Encyclopedia of World History: The Expanding World, 600 CE to 1450 http://online.infobaselearning.com/HistoryDatabaseSearch.aspx
[10] Hinduism Sacred Texts, http://one-spirit-tribe.org/religion_hinduism/texts.htm
[11] The Puranas, Quotations from the Puranas and Vedas, http://pujaswami.com/quotations-form-the-puranas-and-vedas/
[12] N/A, http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/Religions/texts/Puranas.html
The sculpture of Shiva Nataraja performing the dance of bliss uses symbolism, a tool by which the Hindu gods can communicate their morals and beliefs. One of the many reproductions of Shiva Nataraja performing the Dance of bliss is “Shiva as Lord of Dance” in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.[1] The sculpture dates back to the eleventh century and is made from copper alloy. [2]The first depiction of Shiva as the Lord of Dance was during the Chola period in India between 880- 1279.[3] In the Hindu religion, religious beliefs and depictions of gods are represented through symbolism. Each god has different symbols that represent different beliefs. Gods in Hinduism serve as a moral compass and a guide to help one live a successful life and hopefully reach Nirvana. Shiva is often regarded as one of the most important and crucial figures in Hinduism. Since Gods are a higher and greater force above humans, Hindu gods are not to take a human form. Shiva is commonly seen doing the “dance of bliss”.[4] In this portrayal of Shiva; Shiva is balancing one foot on a lotus pedestal within a ring of fire. The positioning of the right and left feet is called “Apsmara Purusha”- meaning the personification of illusion and oblivion that Shiva exemplifies.[5] Shiva and the entire idol is held up by a lotus pedestal, which is to represent the creative forces of the universe. Shiva is shown with multiple arms and hands each doing different things. The gesture of the lower right hand is supposed to represent fearlessness, while his upper right hand holds an hourglass drum meaning the vital male and female principles in the religion. The upper left hand grasps a flame, which represents Shiva’s dominance over a considered harmful and feared substance. In Shiva’s hair, arms, and legs a snake uncoils- symbolic of egotism. On top of Shiva’s head is a skull which is supposed to represent Shiva’s conquest and dominance over death. Along with Shiva’s many arms, Shiva also has three eyes. The third eye stands for insight, englightenment and omniscience.[6] Lastly, the ring of fire that surrounds Shiva and it’s many symbols has multiple meanings- the most important being the never ending cycle of birth, death, and rebirth along with the cycle of creation and destruction. These various symbols all describe Shiva’s morals and beliefs in one piece of work. Belief and worshipping of Shiva is often in order to receive salvation- which in Hinduism is Nirvana. This is an example of how ones relationship with God in Hinduism is depicted through symbolic gestures and motifs that serve as direction towards achieving Nirvana- the ultimate Hindu goal. Thus, ones relationship with the divine is better understood, and allows for a closer connection to the divine, with the use of symbolism in Hindu art.
Shiva Nataraja performing the dance of bliss originated during the Chola Empire between 880- 1279 in India. The story most commonly associated with the famous portrayal of Shiva is when Shiva appears in the Tillai forest. Shiva is in disguise as a wandering beggar in order to deceive and fool the men and women who betrayed proper worship and respect towards Shiva. Shiva dramatically defeats them all and then performs the victory dance- the dance of bliss. This victory positions Shiva at the top of the Hindu divine hierarchy. Thought by scholar Padma Kaimal, the victory dance may be a parallel to the warrior dances of the Chola themselves.[7] The Chola kingdom expanded in not only southern India but also to Sri Lanka, peninsular Malaya, western Borneo, and other islands of archipelago Southeast Asia. Once the Chola’s became a united state, their expansion spread across trade routes over the Indian ocean and to Southeast Asia. Originally, The social caste was strict and allowed for little social mobility; but the extreme innovation and creativity that occurred made reorganization and more oppurtunities to be successful within the social hierarchy. The many different cultures and homelands that were apart of the Chola Empire were also large factors in the change of the social caste. There were equal oppurtunities available for women during this time as well. The Chola culture largely revolved around the Hindu gods, which were influential to a large amount of innovation and creativity that occurred during this time. “Specific areas of achievement included literature, bronze statuary and works, and architecture, particularly in terms of temple architecture.” [8]In 1009, the Temple of Shiva at Thanjavur was built. It is noted to this day as one of the masterpieces of classic style of Southern India. The Chola Empire were extremely innovative and often depicted gods and goddesses such as Shiva.[9] Artwork added a new dimension to people’s relationship with the divine because it served as a visual and gave people a better understanding of their religion and moralities. The Chola’s are largely responsible to this important aspect of Hinduism because along with their creativity and innovation, their increasing power and dominance over Asia played a large factor in the popularity of Hinduism because more and more people saw the Hindu artwork and the symbolism. The Chola’s innovation along with their increasing power made for Hinduism and Hinduism artwork to increase in popularity. Without their innovation, Hindu artwork and the great importance it plays in Hinduism could possibly not be around today.
In Hinduism there are many different sacred texts still referred to currently, one of them being the Puranas. There are eighteen Puranas and they are a collection of mythology, hymns, ancient history, rules of life, rituals, instructions, knowledge, and cosmology. Majority of the Puranas were completed around 500 AD. Six of the eighteen Puranas are devoted to Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva each.[10]
The Puranas’ stories are supposed to serve as specific examples to further prove the Vedas. In one quote from the Puranas, it says “Having thus drawn off the milk of perfect righteousness, let a man boil it, brother, on the fire of desirelessness. When boiled, let him cool it with the wind of contentment and forbearance and make it into curd with the rennet of fortitude and self-control.”[11] This quote describes the personal goals each Hindu should have for themselves, but they do so in a metaphorical away with symbolism and detailed imagery. The Puranas focus largely on the themes of the creation of the universe, its destruction and renovation, the genealogy of gods and patriarchs, the reigns of the Manus, and the history of the solar and lunar races of kings. Because the Puranas’ have been translated into all major Indian languages as well as English, they have become one of the most popular and widely read scriptures of Hinduism. Similar to the visual representation of Hindu gods, the Puranas are a set of scriptures that are largely for interpretation because of their creativity and imagination. They represent the mythric culture of Hinduism. The Puranas also helped in the transition from Brahminism to Hinduism. Hinduism was more in touch to popular forms of worship, devotion, and every day arts and sciences. The stories describe gods that became the object of people’s worship and devotion- these gods are no longer Vedic gods but rather make up the Hindu trinity. The stories, similar to the artwork that often depicts these specific stories, serve as guidelines and a moral compass between the divine and the worshipper. They discuss Dharmic activity and how to accomplish such activities so one can lead a successful life and reach nirvana.[12] The sacred text of the Puranas is similar to Hinduism artwork because they both serve as direction and guidance on how to achieve a religiously fulfilling lifestyle. They both do so through symbolic forms of expression whether through visual representations of symbolism or written symbolism and motifs.
Relationship with the Divine in Hinduism is expressed through various methods of symbolism. Symbolism serves to communicate the beliefs and morals that each god represents. Symbolism allows for people to better understand how they should go about life. The morals and beliefs that each god has, becomes directions and guidelines on how the believer and worshipper should live their life. Without symbolism, people would not be able to understand these messages. Relationship with the divine in Hinduism is a close relationship made understandable through various forms of expression- either visual or written.
[1] Metropolitan Museum of Art, Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja), http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/60006319?rpp=20&pg=1&ft=shiva&pos=2
[2] Metropolitan Museum of Art, Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja), http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/60006319?rpp=20&pg=1&ft=shiva&pos=2
[3] Metropolitan Museum of Art, Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja), http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/60006319?rpp=20&pg=1&ft=shiva&pos=2
[4] History/Art/Culture Sacred Dance http://www.asia.si.edu/explore/indianart/sacreddance.asp
[5] Sanatan Society http://www.sanatansociety.org/hindu_gods_and_goddesses/shiva.htm
[6] Metropolitan Museum of Art, Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja), http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/60006319?rpp=20&pg=1&ft=shiva&pos=2
[7] History/Art/Culture Sacred Dance http://www.asia.si.edu/explore/indianart/sacreddance.asp
[8] Encyclopedia of World History: The Expanding World, 600 CE to 1450 http://online.infobaselearning.com/HistoryDatabaseSearch.aspx
[9] Encyclopedia of World History: The Expanding World, 600 CE to 1450 http://online.infobaselearning.com/HistoryDatabaseSearch.aspx
[10] Hinduism Sacred Texts, http://one-spirit-tribe.org/religion_hinduism/texts.htm
[11] The Puranas, Quotations from the Puranas and Vedas, http://pujaswami.com/quotations-form-the-puranas-and-vedas/
[12] N/A, http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/Religions/texts/Puranas.html