The dance performed by
Lord Shiva is known as
Tandava. The Tandava or Celestial
dance of Lord Shiva is extremely thrilling and charming, exquisitely graceful in pose and rhythm and intensely piercing in effect.
Tandava is a powerful dance that is the source of the cycle of creation, preservation, and dissolution. The dance of Lord Shiva is for the welfare of the world. His dance indicates the destruction of the universe.
When Ravana sings the “Tandav Stotra” in praise of Shiva and in acceptance of his defeat at Shiva’s hands, Shiva was pleased and that is how Shiva danced to Ravana’s tune. So, Ravana was the one who sang Shiv tandava stotram /Stuti for the very first time for Shiva.
Significance of Shiva’s Tandava
First, it is seen as the image of his rhythmic or musical play which is the source of all movement within the universe. This is represented by the circular or elliptical frame surrounding Shiva. Secondly, the purpose of his dance is to release the souls of all men from the snare of illusion.
In the Hindu texts, at least seven types of Tandava are found: Ananda Tandava, Tripura Tandava, Sandhya Tandava, Samhara Tandava, Kali (Kalika) Tandava, Uma Tandava, and Gauri Tandava. However, some people believe that there are 16 types of Tandava.
How the Tandav dance originated is explained in the following shloka:
प्रयोगमुद्धतं स्मृत्वा स्वप्रयुक्तं ततो हरः । तण्डुना स्वगणाग्रण्या भरताय न्यदीदिशत् ।। लास्यमस्याग्रतः प्रीत्या पार्वत्या समदीदिशत् । बुद्ध्वाऽथ ताण्डवं तण्डोः मत्र्येभ्यो मुनयोऽवदन् ।।
He is not the destroyer but He is the regenerator. He is the Mangala Data and Ananda Data, the bestower of auspiciousness and bliss. The undifferentiated sound becomes differentiated through the vibration set up by the movements of His Damaru or drum.
Ferocious Pictures Of Lord Shiva’s Tandava
Tandava: The Most Difficult Dance
Shiva not only destroys the world but also frees Jiva (embodied souls) from bondage.
NATARAJA – Lord Shiva is also known as Nataraja, the Dancing God. Traditionally, it is believed that Nataraj is the promoter of dance.
Shiva also makes his divine consort Goddess Parvati perform the LASYA dance with great enthusiasm.
Shiva assumes the form of BHAIRAVA or VEERABHADRA and performs this fearsome dance with the spirit attendants in a “Samshan”.
Shiva is not only a Dancer, he is an Observer too.
Shiva remembered and showed the UDDHAT dance – that he had performed earlier known as TANDU.
Shunya to Shrusti is the eternal dance of Shiva and Shakti. The ARDHNARISHWARA is the essence of what it is ..!!
Moments when Lord Shiva Dancing
When Shiva dances, all heavenly bodies respond. Saraswati Devi is said to be playing the veena (the stringed musical instrument), Indra is said to be playing the flute, Brahma is said to keep rhythm, Lakshmidevi is said to be singing, Vishnu is said to be playing the mirudanga (a type of drum) and all other deities stand around watching the dance.
Lord Shiva is the Master or expert dancer. He is the King of dancers. He quelled the pride of Kali. Lord Siva’s destruction is not a single act but a series of acts. There is a different kind of dance at every stage. May Lord Nataraja, the great dancer help you in the attainment of Sivanandam or the eternal bliss of Shiva.
Jay sambho !!!
