See It In Your Home

Deep symbolism and artistic genius come together beautifully in the Nataraja statue, a popular and famous depiction of Lord Shiva in Hinduism. This sculpture, which is made of stone or bronze, faithfully portrays Shiva as the "Lord of the Dance," performing the cosmic and rhythmic "Tandava." Standing on one leg, Nataraja represents his command of space and time. His other leg is elevated in a powerful pose. He is holding a damaru, a little drum that symbolizes the sound of creation, with one hand. Using the Agni (fire) symbol for destruction on one hand, he emphasizes the cyclical aspect of existence on another.

The other two hands are elegantly positioned, one pointing downward to the demon Apasmara, symbolizing the victory of divine knowledge over ignorance, and the other in the abhaya mudra, the gesture of certainty. The wild hair of Nataraja and the snake encircling his neck highlight his affinity for the natural world. Encapsulating significant intellectual and spiritual principles found in Hinduism, this statue represents the idea of the universe's endless dance, where creation and annihilation are intimately interwoven.