Nataraja, the dancing Shiva is depicted here in a magnificent illustration. This posture of lord and the artwork is known as ‘anshumabhed agama’ and ‘uttarakamika agama’, as mentioned in Nataya Shastra, holding Agni (fire) in his left back hand, the front hand in gajahasta (elephant hand) or dandahasta (stick hand) mudra, the front right hand with a wrapped snake that is in abhaya (fear not) mudra while pointing to a Sutra text, and the back hand holding a musical instrument, usually a damaru. This form is featured in many of the major Sanatan Dharma temples.
In this deity, the fingers, ankles, neck, face, head, ear lobes and dress are shown with symbolic implements, which vary from the historic period and region. His dance is known as Tandava. Lord Bholenath is surrounded by a ring of fire all around him. Nataraja dances upon an endocrine mystery who is lying on a lotus pedestal lifting his left leg up. The short limbed stocky eye popping dwarf, Apasmara with possible mental retardation with a name that suggests epilepsy throws open a host of endocrine diagnoses. This character symbolizes spiritual ignorance and nonsensical speech. Here is one view of the medical mystery under Shiva's dancing feet.
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