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Shiva dances over the body of Apasmarapurusha, the demon of forgetfulness. Apasmara is darkness and darkness succeeds dissolution.
Apasmara supports the Dancing god's right leg upon its hip and looks at him with satisfaction for the demon knows it will prevail even thereafter.
In his uppermost right hand the Great Lord holds his 'drum', the symbol of sound, which vibrates the space, or the 'Akasha'. Sound is the first of the five elements that announce creation.
His upper left hand carries in it the flame of fire, the symbol of final conflagration, as all that stands created is heading to a dissolution.
The lower right hands assures fearlessness as that which is heading towards dissolution will be created again. The lower left hand moves from left to right symbolising release and liberation. There emit from his mind massive fire waves for it is not only his 'Anandatandava' that is fiery but also his object. The 'Anandatandava' takes place in the hall of consciousness within the heart of man.
It is the manifestation of fivefold activity - creating, maintaining, unveiling, veiling and destroying. It is a celestial revelation of six 'bhavas', the 'shrishti', 'sanhara', 'vidya', 'avidya', 'gati' and 'agati', that is, creation, dissolution, knowledge, ignorance, motion and inertness. The 'Anandatandava', thus encompasses within it the entire cosmos and its phenomenal existence.
Of Related Interest:
Shiva as Nataraja : Dance and Destruction In Indian Art (Article)
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