Hindu Triumvirate embodies three gods who are in power for the creation, upkeep, and destruction of the world.
Lord Shiva is regarded as the third god in the Triumvirate. He is thought to have originated from Rudra, a god who was worshipped in the Indus Valley during the Vedic period.
Shiva is known to have unrestrained passion and unfathomable sublimity thus, leading him to paradoxical and bewildering behavior. Shiva Natraja, therefore, is considered a Hindu divine cosmic dancer.
In this sculpture, Shiva is performing Tandava (a form of cosmic dancing which creates and destroys the universe) and he is regarded as the lord of dance and dramatic arts. He is dancing inside the Prabha Mandala (flaming halo) which represents time. In his upper right hand, he is seen holding the Damru (a kind of hand drum which as per the legends, made the first sounds of creations) and his left upper hand holds Agni (the fire that is supposed to destroy the creation – the universe).
His lower right hand is seen in Abhayamudra (which means fearlessness in Sanskrit and symbolizes protection, peace, and dispelling of fear) and the lower left hand is pointing at the lifted foot which signifies refuge for troubled souls. By his right foot, he is mangling a dwarf-like figure depicting Apasmara Purusha, who represents spiritual ignorance and nonsensical speech, and by his left foot, he is gesturing Gaja Hasta, a symbol of salvation and liberation. The First sculpture of Shiva Nataraja commenced during the 5th Century CE and was popular in the Chola period.
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