Tuesday, March 16, 2010
The Dancing Duo
It is believed that the word 'tandava' has its etymological origins in the word 'tandu' which means 'to jump' using alternate feet. Another interpretation for this word rests in the history of Kailasa, where 'tandu' was one of the disciples of Shiva who passed on the principles of Natya and Nritya to Bharata, who in turn authored the Natya Shastra. There are many kinds of tandava and Lord Shiva is considered unequivocally the master of this form of dance. It is not too difficult to visualize the mesmerizing magic of Shiva's dancing feet after one has had an opportunity to behold him in the form of Nataraja - the king of the art of dance. When I observe Lord Nataraja it seems to me that the tandava must be a dynamic and energetic presentation filled with sweeping movements and flamboyant poses that bring out the essence of being. Nataraja carries himself with utmost elegance and supreme confidence on one foot (eka pada) and presents himself performing the Ananda tandava. I tend to become lost in the presence of Nataraja because I have so many infinite aspects to see and take them in, so I feel the need to be connected with him in totality. At first, I see his raised left foot revealing beautifully curved toes and decorated with 'nupura' or 'anklets'. This sight immediately plays the sound of his anklets in my ears -- like the primordial sound which evolved first in his creation. Then I see him standing with his right foot firmly and aggressively pressed down on a little demon - the asura - 'apasmara' or 'muyalagan'. This little demon is literally crushed under Nataraja's feet and is twisted in eight different parts of his body and bears a contorted look on his face. His hands are raised as though trying to plead for release. I recoil in shock and awe at this sight because beneath such a graceful and beautiful posture of Shiva, little does one expect something as unsettling as this. Why would this Lord performing the happy dance be crushing this little demon under his foot? I put that thought on hold, and move again to his raised foot, get some comfort, and move on to observe the angle in which both his legs are bent at the knee. I try to imitate this posture and find out that it is surpisingly challenging to maintain that stance although Nataraja does it effortlessly. His whole form is an architect's delight I feel. His two back arms are stretched out each carrying fire and 'dumroo' respectively. His two front arms are brought inward to depict some divine 'mudras' or 'signs'. The right hand portrays the 'abhaya' mudra by which he conveys to the souls of the world that he offers his 'protection'. The left hand points downward to his raised foot to indicate that the route map to liberation is via an attitude of 'surrender'. Amidst all this neural synapses running in my mind, when I look up and behold his divine face, I am totally hypnotized by those chiselled features. A face that could launch you into a thousand trances! The three-eyed lord whose breath is the very source of our existence! A smile that reflects the deep resonating vibrations of his divine contemplative silence (mounam) and infinite peace and profound wisdom -- all at once. I feel as though I am sucked into a vortex involuntarily. I give myself to this experience completely. Presently, I zoom out of this view and take a good look of Nataraja in his entirety. Surrounded by a ring of fire and water Nataraja is dancing the Ananda tandava -- his matted locks are rhythmically swaying along in empty space, just like the cyclical movement of time eon after eon. He is obviously enjoying this dance because it gives him the most pleasure and happiness. He is delighted to sustain, nourish and care for his creation. He is readily willing to protect his children from 'muyalagan' the little demon who symbolizes our mental and physical aberrations. The mind is prone to becoming vulnerable to deceit, falsehood, fear, ignorance, jealousy, doubt and other emotional imbalances. the body also is in turn vulnerable to aging, disease, deformation and sensory indulgence. I live in this world surrounded not just by others but also by my own limiting beliefs. Who can protect me from myself better than he? Who can release me from the bondage of my own mental creations than he? Who can cure me of incurable diseases than he? Who can hold my hand, lift me up and take me through a guided tour of life than he? When I bow down my head in surrender to this extreme compassion he exudes constantly, I am humbled and moved. My heart aches when I feel his sense of sacrifice and generosity of spirit. As I turn away, I notice that there is someone standing quietly closeby. I shift my glance and I am cheered to find a coy and kind look radiating from a lady adorning glittering earrings and nosering, and other beautiful ornaments. She is also wearing the divine 'mangalyam' or 'wedding locket' and is draped in a customary outfit. She is holding one hand close to her chest in a mudra as if to beckon you to come towards her. The other hand is held hanging down. When I take a closer look I suspect that there is a secret conversation going on between this goddess and Nataraja. This radiant one is none other than Nataraja's divine consort Goddess Shivakamasundari -- one who has an infectious smile and true to her name is much loved by and in love with Shiva. She radiates a thousand-fold more grace, poise and compassion than her lord because that is her nature -- to offer even before being asked. And she is the lucky one because she is bestowed with divine eyes to behold the Ananda tandava of the lord which is not perceptible to our senses. And, in turn she performs her complementary feminine version of the dance along with the lord. If the face of Nataraja can push me into eternal trance, Shivakamasundari's face hurtles me into limitless bliss and completeness. She is the 'Ananda' aspect of his tandava, I begin to feel. And together this dancing duo open the floodgates of joy and love in my ironheart, and I find my heart is leaping -- performing a mini series of 'ananda tandava'!
Friday, October 10, 2008
The Story of Thyagarajar or 'Vidangar' or Somaskanda
There are seven such temples in South India in Tamil Nadu. They are called 'the saptha vidanga sthalangal'. In Thiruvaroor, it is called 'veedhi vidangar'.
Vidangar has different meanings. among them 'one who has swallowed the halahala poison' is one menaing. the other is the 'great lord copresent with uma and skanda'. more interestingly, another meaning: an idol or statue or figurine that has been made without using a scalpel or sculpting tool.
Lord Vishnu once performed penance towards Lord Shiva in order to be blessed with offspring. Pleased with this penance, Lord Shiva appeared before Lord Vishnu along with Umadevi and Skand in between them denoting the blessing of progeny. Lord Vishnu was enthralled by this vision and desired to haave it before him always. So he summoned Visvakarma the celestial architect to create a figurine of Shiva Somaskanda (sa-uma-skanda: iti somaskanda). the resultant statue was so beautiful. lord vishnu alwys kept in his heart and offered pujas to it. now visvakarma used no sculpting tool to create this figurine.
one day the devas were troubled by an asura, who threatened indra's position. lord vishnu gave indra this somaskanda statue to indra and advised him to worship it and soon he will be relieved of troubles.and as expected the devas weer restored in devaloka. again as destiny would have it indra was troubled by a terrible asura called 'valaa'. this time indra was powerless. and this asura could be destroyed only by a human.
the only one who could do it was muchukunda chakravarti who had a monkey face, but was human by birth. the history of muchukunda is that he was a monkey in his previous birth and without his knowledge playfully he had worshipped a siva linga with bilva leaves on a mahashivarathri night. he was blessed by lord shiva and mother parvati with the position of a monarch in his next birth. muchukunda requested that he be born with a monkey face so that he will not get lost in worldly pleasures and he may remember lord shiva and his grace on him, and so that he may continue his shiva bhakti.
now muchukunda helped indra regain his indraloka, and indra asked him what he wanted in return. muchukunda requested for the somaskanda idol as there was nothing like i t on earth and becuse of his shiva bhakti. indra was reluctant to part with the lord and he told that he would give it once he got permission from lord vishnu. lord vishnu approved of it.
indra then summoned visvakarma and asked him to make six more such statues identical to the original. meanwhile, when muchukunda was asleep, lord shiva came in his dreams and warned him about indra's plans. he said that indra would show him seven idols. however, the one on which the bee sits is the one which lord vishnu worshipped. he should take that one.
when muchukunda came, indra showed him all the seven idols and asked the king to choose one. now, as the lord had told him, a bee swarmed around one idol and sat on it. immediately muchukunda picked tht. indra was in a fix. realizing his folly, he offered all the seven idols to the king heartily.
from this history, it is inferable that none of these statues were made on earth. this original idol which lord vishnu propitiated is the one in thiruvaroor. the other six are located in thirunallaaru (naagavidangar), thirunaagaikaaronam (sundaravidangar), thirukaarayil (aadividangar), thirukolili (avanividangar), thiruvaaymoor (neelavidangar)(where appar was born), thirumaraikkaadu (bhuvanividangar).
in temples where there is no vidangar, a spatika lingam is propitiated instead as somaskanda. like in chidambaram.
- SHIVOHAM -
Vidangar has different meanings. among them 'one who has swallowed the halahala poison' is one menaing. the other is the 'great lord copresent with uma and skanda'. more interestingly, another meaning: an idol or statue or figurine that has been made without using a scalpel or sculpting tool.
Lord Vishnu once performed penance towards Lord Shiva in order to be blessed with offspring. Pleased with this penance, Lord Shiva appeared before Lord Vishnu along with Umadevi and Skand in between them denoting the blessing of progeny. Lord Vishnu was enthralled by this vision and desired to haave it before him always. So he summoned Visvakarma the celestial architect to create a figurine of Shiva Somaskanda (sa-uma-skanda: iti somaskanda). the resultant statue was so beautiful. lord vishnu alwys kept in his heart and offered pujas to it. now visvakarma used no sculpting tool to create this figurine.
one day the devas were troubled by an asura, who threatened indra's position. lord vishnu gave indra this somaskanda statue to indra and advised him to worship it and soon he will be relieved of troubles.and as expected the devas weer restored in devaloka. again as destiny would have it indra was troubled by a terrible asura called 'valaa'. this time indra was powerless. and this asura could be destroyed only by a human.
the only one who could do it was muchukunda chakravarti who had a monkey face, but was human by birth. the history of muchukunda is that he was a monkey in his previous birth and without his knowledge playfully he had worshipped a siva linga with bilva leaves on a mahashivarathri night. he was blessed by lord shiva and mother parvati with the position of a monarch in his next birth. muchukunda requested that he be born with a monkey face so that he will not get lost in worldly pleasures and he may remember lord shiva and his grace on him, and so that he may continue his shiva bhakti.
now muchukunda helped indra regain his indraloka, and indra asked him what he wanted in return. muchukunda requested for the somaskanda idol as there was nothing like i t on earth and becuse of his shiva bhakti. indra was reluctant to part with the lord and he told that he would give it once he got permission from lord vishnu. lord vishnu approved of it.
indra then summoned visvakarma and asked him to make six more such statues identical to the original. meanwhile, when muchukunda was asleep, lord shiva came in his dreams and warned him about indra's plans. he said that indra would show him seven idols. however, the one on which the bee sits is the one which lord vishnu worshipped. he should take that one.
when muchukunda came, indra showed him all the seven idols and asked the king to choose one. now, as the lord had told him, a bee swarmed around one idol and sat on it. immediately muchukunda picked tht. indra was in a fix. realizing his folly, he offered all the seven idols to the king heartily.
from this history, it is inferable that none of these statues were made on earth. this original idol which lord vishnu propitiated is the one in thiruvaroor. the other six are located in thirunallaaru (naagavidangar), thirunaagaikaaronam (sundaravidangar), thirukaarayil (aadividangar), thirukolili (avanividangar), thiruvaaymoor (neelavidangar)(where appar was born), thirumaraikkaadu (bhuvanividangar).
in temples where there is no vidangar, a spatika lingam is propitiated instead as somaskanda. like in chidambaram.
- SHIVOHAM -
Great Saints - Sundara Murthy Nayanar 2
Sundara Murthy Nayanar and Thriuvaroor
Although Sundarar was born in THiruNaavalur, he lived in Thiruvaaroor. His favorite lord was veedhi vidangar. he used to converse and connect with lord shiva through 'sakhya bhava' as in friendship. Wherever he used to go he always used to come back to Thiruvaroor and could not bear to be separated too long from his lord. he has sung many songs in praise of lord thiruvaroorar as he used to refer. one of the stanzas:
"ponnum meipporulum tharuvaanai, bhogamum thiruvum punarpaanai
pinnai yen pizhayai poruppaanai, pizhai yellaam thavira panippaanai
Inna thanmayan yenru ariyonnaa emmaanai, yelivantha piraanai
annam vaigum vayal pazhanatthu ani aarooraanai marakkalum aame"
he provides not only wordly riches and enjoyment, but he also bestows enlightenment and liberation. not only does he ensure my life in this world and other world is secure, but while i live here, he also forbears with compassion all my mistakes and accepts me with all flaws. he also takes responsibility for my transformation. my lord's nature and qualities are unfathomable and beyond description; yet, he comes to me in such a simple forthright manner that i can understand. such is the greatness of my lord who is unforgettable, and who lives in the ancient thiruvaroor, which boasts of fertile fields delighted by swan birds.
- SHIVOHAM -
Although Sundarar was born in THiruNaavalur, he lived in Thiruvaaroor. His favorite lord was veedhi vidangar. he used to converse and connect with lord shiva through 'sakhya bhava' as in friendship. Wherever he used to go he always used to come back to Thiruvaroor and could not bear to be separated too long from his lord. he has sung many songs in praise of lord thiruvaroorar as he used to refer. one of the stanzas:
"ponnum meipporulum tharuvaanai, bhogamum thiruvum punarpaanai
pinnai yen pizhayai poruppaanai, pizhai yellaam thavira panippaanai
Inna thanmayan yenru ariyonnaa emmaanai, yelivantha piraanai
annam vaigum vayal pazhanatthu ani aarooraanai marakkalum aame"
he provides not only wordly riches and enjoyment, but he also bestows enlightenment and liberation. not only does he ensure my life in this world and other world is secure, but while i live here, he also forbears with compassion all my mistakes and accepts me with all flaws. he also takes responsibility for my transformation. my lord's nature and qualities are unfathomable and beyond description; yet, he comes to me in such a simple forthright manner that i can understand. such is the greatness of my lord who is unforgettable, and who lives in the ancient thiruvaroor, which boasts of fertile fields delighted by swan birds.
- SHIVOHAM -
Great Saints - Sundara Murthy Nayanar
Excerpts from the Life of Sundara Murthy Nayanar
Biography Summary
South India, Tamil Nadu
Birthplace: Thiru Naavaloor
Purpose of Incarnation: To introduce to the world the greatness of exceptional devotees of Lord Shiva, who are known as 63 Nayanmars today. For this purpose, Sundarar sang a literary compilation upon the ordinance of Lord Shiva known as 'ThiruThondar Thogai' to record the names of 63 Nayanmars in the history of exemplary devotional service. He also sang many sweet and lovable songs known as padhigams in praise of Lord Shiva as well as of the many places he visited during his lifetime. His Padhigams also palpably express various emotions he is subjected to from his own life experiences, indicating the strong relation of friendship and liberty he shared with Lord Shiva. In fact, Sundarar's life history itself makes one wonder in amazement about this special bond between Lord and Devotee as non-discriminating and on the same footing. It brings out a flavor of great intimacy and deep trust. The history of such a great devotee such as Sundara himself instills a sense of completeness, optimism and soulful faith. Thus it is least surprising that Lord Shiva chose Sundarar to compose the foundational historical account of all his other exceptional devotees.
Incident when Sundarar was on one of his pilgrimages:
"sundara, mazhapaadiyai marandhanaiyo?" yenru iraivanaar sundararin kanavil uraikkiraar. Lord Shiva speaks in Sundarar;s dreams whether he forgot to visit the lord at the holy place called Mazhapaadi (located in Chola kingdom) . sundarar immediately rushes and finds out the shrine at mazhapaadi and breaks into an emotional response that is filled with intense love, ecstasy, liberty and surrender. we know the lord of mazhapaadi today as 'vajrasthambeshwarar' or 'vairaththoon nathar'. also known as 'vaidyanathar'.
"ponnaar meniyane pulittholai araikkasaithu
minnaar senjadaimel milir konrai anindhavane
manne maamaniye mazhapaadiyul maanikkame
anne unnaiyallaal ini yaarai ninaikkene"
song interpretation:
oh one who possesses a resplendent body that glows like gold!
oh one who adorns the hide of a tiger in the waist!
oh one who adorns his favorite konrai flower over matted locks that shine and sparkle like the lightning*
oh my ruler my lord! oh priceless gem of gems!
Oh crown jewel who has taken residence at Mazhapaadi!
oh one who is like mother** to me!
other than you who else do i have to remember! hereafter*** all my thought will be only about you!
*{this metaphor indicates why the lord's abundant matted locks look glossy and glittery. probably because the moon he has worn on his head floods its silverine light over river ganga also flowing from his tightly knotted locks, he is also known as 'jata makutadhara' (who wears a crown of matted locks of hair)},
**(sundarar addresses the lord as his mother who is first and foremost relation to any living being. we may also understand here that he puts himself in the helpless position of child possibly to convey that a child can never bear to be separated from its mother because it cannot survive otherwise)
***(here he says hereafter because he wants to tell us that even the remembering the lord is through lord's own grace and blessing! also, he means that whenever he interacts with worldly relations they would remind him of the lord always.)
- SHIVOHAM -
Biography Summary
South India, Tamil Nadu
Birthplace: Thiru Naavaloor
Purpose of Incarnation: To introduce to the world the greatness of exceptional devotees of Lord Shiva, who are known as 63 Nayanmars today. For this purpose, Sundarar sang a literary compilation upon the ordinance of Lord Shiva known as 'ThiruThondar Thogai' to record the names of 63 Nayanmars in the history of exemplary devotional service. He also sang many sweet and lovable songs known as padhigams in praise of Lord Shiva as well as of the many places he visited during his lifetime. His Padhigams also palpably express various emotions he is subjected to from his own life experiences, indicating the strong relation of friendship and liberty he shared with Lord Shiva. In fact, Sundarar's life history itself makes one wonder in amazement about this special bond between Lord and Devotee as non-discriminating and on the same footing. It brings out a flavor of great intimacy and deep trust. The history of such a great devotee such as Sundara himself instills a sense of completeness, optimism and soulful faith. Thus it is least surprising that Lord Shiva chose Sundarar to compose the foundational historical account of all his other exceptional devotees.
Incident when Sundarar was on one of his pilgrimages:
"sundara, mazhapaadiyai marandhanaiyo?" yenru iraivanaar sundararin kanavil uraikkiraar. Lord Shiva speaks in Sundarar;s dreams whether he forgot to visit the lord at the holy place called Mazhapaadi (located in Chola kingdom) . sundarar immediately rushes and finds out the shrine at mazhapaadi and breaks into an emotional response that is filled with intense love, ecstasy, liberty and surrender. we know the lord of mazhapaadi today as 'vajrasthambeshwarar' or 'vairaththoon nathar'. also known as 'vaidyanathar'.
"ponnaar meniyane pulittholai araikkasaithu
minnaar senjadaimel milir konrai anindhavane
manne maamaniye mazhapaadiyul maanikkame
anne unnaiyallaal ini yaarai ninaikkene"
song interpretation:
oh one who possesses a resplendent body that glows like gold!
oh one who adorns the hide of a tiger in the waist!
oh one who adorns his favorite konrai flower over matted locks that shine and sparkle like the lightning*
oh my ruler my lord! oh priceless gem of gems!
Oh crown jewel who has taken residence at Mazhapaadi!
oh one who is like mother** to me!
other than you who else do i have to remember! hereafter*** all my thought will be only about you!
*{this metaphor indicates why the lord's abundant matted locks look glossy and glittery. probably because the moon he has worn on his head floods its silverine light over river ganga also flowing from his tightly knotted locks, he is also known as 'jata makutadhara' (who wears a crown of matted locks of hair)},
**(sundarar addresses the lord as his mother who is first and foremost relation to any living being. we may also understand here that he puts himself in the helpless position of child possibly to convey that a child can never bear to be separated from its mother because it cannot survive otherwise)
***(here he says hereafter because he wants to tell us that even the remembering the lord is through lord's own grace and blessing! also, he means that whenever he interacts with worldly relations they would remind him of the lord always.)
- SHIVOHAM -
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)