Nataraja

The most magnificent image of Chola period in the bronze is Nataraja, Siva in his cosmic dance / Tandav Dance. In this dance, he creates and destroys the world. The richness of symbolic meaning in the Nataraja image makes it one of the greatest icons created by man. The important features of this image have been described below:

Ring of Cosmic Fire

There is an oval ring around the original figure of Shiva Nataraja. It represents the cosmic fire he uses to destroy the universe as part of the cycle of destruction and creation. Each flame has three points.

In the eleventh and twelfth centuries, a round circle of fire with flames of five points became typical for the Shiva Nataraja image.

Third Eye

Shiva’s third eye represents his cosmic knowledge.

Multiple Arms

The Hindu deities are depicted with multiple arms to illustrate divine power. Shiva Nataraja’s four arms each take a different position or hold symbolic objects, showing his strength and constellation of skills.

Cloths

Shiva wears a veshti around his waist. Across his torso is the Yagyopveet (Janeu in Hindi) the sacred thread of the Brahmin priestly class.

Earrings

On Shiva’s right ear is an earring depicting a makara, a mythical water creature. His left ear is adorned with a circular earring worn by women. The pair represents Shiva’s male and female aspects (Ardhnarishwar). He is sometimes depicted with his consort Parvati (Uma) as a half-male, half-female form, illustrating the cosmic balance of male and female energies.

Hands, Damaru, Snake, Cosmic Fire, Jata, Moon and Ganga

The left hand points downward to indicate sanctuary for the soul of the devotee. The open palm of Shiva’s right hand forms the abhayamudra, or hand gesture, signifying that the worshipper need have no fear. In one hands, he has Damaru, that Shiva beats a rhythm that brings the universe into creation.

Shiva takes the snake and coils it around himself, thereby neutralizing it as a weapon. Poised in one of Shiva’s hands is a flame of the cosmic fire he uses to end the universe in its cycle of creation and destruction. Metted locks of Jata reflect Shiva’s role as a yogi who sometimes meditates for hundreds of years high in the Himalayan mountains.

Shiva is associated with the moon in a number of different narratives and wears the crescent moon in his locks. The tiny figure perched in Shiva’s hair is the River Ganga (Ganges) in the form of a goddess. In response to devastating drought, Ganga agreed to descend to Earth, where Shiva received her in his matted locks to soften the impact of her landing.

Feet and Apasmara

Nataraja has been shown balancing himself on his right leg and suppressing the apasmara, the demon of ignorance or forgetfulness, with the foot of the same leg. At the same time he raises his left leg in bhujangatrasita stance, which represents tirobhava that is kicking away the veil of maya or illusion from the devotee’s mind. He looks blissfully up at the conquering Lord Shiva.