shivas tandav interpretation: shivratri special

The Great Lord Nataraja – the Hadron Collider ; what do they have in common?

Most people today must be aware of the ‘large Hadron Collider’ in Switzerland , unveiled with much fanfare this month . Its purpose is to recreate the primordial conditions of the universe, and create a small version of the so-called ‘big bang’, by smashing atoms at near-light speed.

However few people are aware that on June 18, 2004, an unusual landmark was unveiled at CERN, the European Centre for Research in Particle Physics in Geneva – a 2m tall statue of the Hindu deity ‘Nataraja’ who is none other than ‘Shiva’. The statue, symbolizing Shiva’s cosmic dance of creation and destruction, was given to CERN by the Indian Government to celebrate the research centre’s long association with India.



Nataraj, the dancing form of Lord Shiva, is a symbolic synthesis of the most important aspects of Hinduism, and the summary of the central tenets of this Vedic religion. The term ‘Nataraj’ means ‘King of Dancers’ (Sanskrit nata = dance; raja = king).

A special plaque next to the Shiva statue explains the significance of the metaphor of Shiva’s cosmic dance with several quotations from top physicist Fritjof Capra’s book – The Tao of Physics.

Here is a quotation from Fritjof Capra that has been put in that special plaque “Modern physics has shown that the rhythm of creation and destruction is not only manifest in the turn of the seasons and in the birth and death of all living creatures, but is also the very essence of inorganic matter and for the modern physicists, then, Shiva’s dance is the dance of subatomic matter. Hundreds of years ago, Indian artists created different forms of visual images of dancing Shiva in a beautiful series of bronzes. In our time, physicists have used the most advanced technology to portray the patterns of the cosmic dance. The metaphor of the cosmic dance thus unifies ancient mythology, religious art and modern physics.





MORE ON THE NATARAJ STATUE:

The parallel between Shiva’s dance and the dance of subatomic particles was discussed by Fritjof Capra in 1972 in an article titled ‘The Dance of Shiva: The Hindu View of Matter in the Light of Modern Physics‘

Shiva’s cosmic dance then became a central metaphor in Capra’s international bestseller The Tao of Physics, first published in 1975 and still in print in over 40 editions around the world.



He says that “every subatomic particle not only performs an energy dance, but also is an energy dance; a pulsating process of creation and destruction…without end…

For the modern physicists then Shiva’s dance is the dance of subatomic matter. As in Hindu mythology, it is a continual dance of creation and destruction involving the whole cosmos; the basis of all existence and of all natural phenomena.”

“The Wave Structure of Matter Explains the Atomic Structure of Matter. The ‘Particle’ as the Wave-Center of a Spherical Standing Wave in Space explains the cosmic dance of Nataraja”

Fritjof Capra, on the cover of his book had reproduced the photomontage of dancing Nataraja super imposed on subatomic particles photographed in a chamber. (In the present day editions this has been replaced with a Yin and Yang symbol)

This is a strikingly similar comparison by a great modern scientist to Swamiji’s description of Lord Shiva. Capra is a foremost proponent of the’wave theory’ on the basis of which the massive Hadron collider experiment is being carried out. This establishes that ancient Hindu scriptural knowledge explains the fabric of time and space as seen by great Rishis of the time, and which is perceivable by great saints even today, without the need for a 27 km long machine like the Hadron collider!

Eminent scholar G.P. Srinivasan says:

“Fritjof Capra is correct that matter can not be separated from motion; the error of modern physics has been in the conception of Motion as the motion of Matter (‘subatomic particles’) rather than the wave motion of Space. Western Physics (with its ‘particles’ and ‘forces / fields’ in ‘Space Time’) has never correctly understood the Eastern worldview. It is also important to understand that the ancient Indian philosophers did actually know how the universe was a dynamic unity, what matter was, how the One Thing / Brahman caused and connected the many things….Recent discoveries on the properties of Space and the Wave Structure of Matter (Wolff, Haselhurst) confirm that we can understand Reality and the interconnection of all things from a logical/scientific foundation.”



Sir Jacob Epstein (1880-1959), leading English Sculptor, also wrote about Shiva-Nataraja:”Shiva dances, creating the world and destroying it, his large rhythms conjure up vast eons of time, and his movements have a relentless magical power of incantation. Our European allegories are banal and pointless by comparison with these profound works, devoid of the trappings of symbolism, concentrating on the essential, and the essentially plastic’.

Shiva is the Divine Dancer, visualized in terms of motion and vibration, who in 108 varied movements interprets the mathematical Law of the Universe.

According to the great Art Historian Dr. Ananda K. Coomarswamy, (1877-1947) the dance of Shiva represents his following five activities namely,

l ‘Shrishti’ – creation, evolution l ‘Sthiti’ – preservation, support l ‘Samhara’ – destruction, evolution l ‘Tirobhava’ – illusion l ‘Anugraha’-release, emancipation, grace

He states in his famous book ‘Dance of Shiva‘ that Lord Shiva as represented in the Nataraja form is a remarkably resplendent wonder of the aesthetic world.

He puts it in beautiful words : “The Indian Nataraja may well be claimed as the clearest, most logical and impassioned statement of the conception of life as an eternal Becoming. This is His dance in the last night of the world when the stars fall from their courses and all is reduced to ashes, to be ever rekindled, ever renewed by the boundless power of the Lord. The Dionysian frenzy of his whirling dance presents affirmation of the eternal, unseen spectacle of the dynamic disintegration and renewal, birth and death, of all cosmic matter in every second as in every kalpa of time’. Thus Nataraja typifies the universe in the action of creation and destruction. The overall temper of the image is paradoxical, uniting the inner tranquillity, and outside activity of Lord Shiva.”

Nataraj is the “clearest image of the activity of God which any art or religion can boast of…A more fluid and energetic representation of a moving figure than the dancing figure of Shiva can scarcely be found anywhere,”



.

some facts about shivratri explained with logic...

YOU CAN ALSO FIND IT ON FACEBOOK: Hinduism A Scientific Outlook


We often wonder about the various spiritual customs that are practised on the myriad festivals that hindus practise. The ancients instituted these practises to coincide with festivals which again coincided with important seasonal changes to serve as memory aids on the spiritual path.

this was my first question on TM site for KPs :Why does shivaratri fall on the 14th day of the Phalguna month.

answer is as follows;

Hindus follow an Soli-Lunar calendar of twelve months of which Phalguna is the last. Phalguna marks the time when winter is thawing and spring is returning. Trees and flowers are in full bloom during this time . Animals and humans seem to have better mood’s compared to the depressing weather of winter. In a way Phalguna stands at the threshold of life and death . Winter is death to many plants and Spring is rejuvenation..

Rudra or Shiva is both the destroyer and Rejuvenator. He is the mantra devata for the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra which is present within the Namakam Chamakam and also he plays the role of devourer of creation or Mahakala. In Kashi he is worshipped as Mahakala.

So in other words the Month of Phalguna with the shivaratri signifies the movement from winter to spring…from death to birth …from sleep to awakening of the soul.

Why is shivratri puja started on evening and we have to remain awake on the night of Shivaratri…

Shiva is the lord of meditation and therefore the lord of awakening. Shiva Tatva means to be awakened. Shivratri is thus an occasion to awaken one’s self from all sorts of slumber. Shivaratri is not a night to be slept over. One should try and be up through the night. It signifies being aware of everything you have and being grateful about it. Be grateful for the happiness which leads to growth, and also for sadness which gives a depth to life. This is the right way of observing Shivaratri.

my third question was: Why is a moonless night chosen… and Is not Amavasya an inauspicious day?

Moon or Soma is an important planet which plays a major role in regulating tides on earth , keeping the weather patterns steady , regulating the seasons and many other things. This is a proven scientific fact…In fact if the moon were not there the earth would not be there.National Geographic had a detailed show on this recently .

“Our moon is the “counter-balance” of our own planet. It makes our plant stable, just tilting 23 degrees. If the moon suddenly disappeared, however, catastrophic things might happen. Earth would tumble to it’s own axis, making our seasons different. Countries near the equator might experience snow, while in the polar regions they might experience drought. Tide patterns would also change.”


The ancients knew this and based the Hindu calendar on the Luni Solar Transition……Amavasya was not considered an Inauspicious day in ancient times. In fact it is not a suggested day for material gains but is a superb day for Mental focus and Spiritual practises.

Soma or the Moon has an huge impact on human’s ….The lunar cycle has a similar effect on the human mind and a moonless night gives the perfect opportunity to focus your energies on Lord Shiva

management of diabetes

diabetes is going global; an epidemic world wide.

if you are feeling excessive weakness on and off; have to go to wash room frequently to pass urine; in day and night; feel excessive thirsty; are losing weight;and have more apetitite than usual; it could be diabetes.
for the prevention of diabetes in vulnerable individuals ; and optimum control of diabetes in both type 1 and type 2 ; the emphasis has to more on the life style modifications; which potentially involves the type ; amount and timing of the diet you consume; apart from the tablets and insulin that one is taking.

the medications and diet regieme along with various other recommendations work hand in hand for the perfect control of this dreadful disease.

for every dibetic it is must to undertake SIMPLE BLOOD TEST : HBA1c. this test tells you the glucose levels over three months.

also : eye check up: funduscopy; serum urea creatinine; lipid profile. routine and microscopic urine examination;
further management depends on the test report available.

for any queries ; most welcome to write your comments and therby seek suggesstions

concept and logical explanation

concept behind lord ganesh with elephants head; and parvati and shiva
.by Hinduism A Scientific Outlook on facebook on Sunday.

Meaning of the story of Ganesh



At first glance, this story { that of beheading ganeshas head by lord shiva } just seems like a nice tale that we might tell our children, or a myth without any real substance. But, it’s true mystical meaning is veiled. It is explained thus:



Parvati is a form of Devi, the Parashakti (Supreme Energy). In the human body She resides in the Muladhara chakra as the Kundalini shakti. It is said that when we purify ourselves, ridding ourselves of the impurities that bind us, then the Lord automatically comes. This is why Shiva, the Supreme Lord, came unannounced as Parvati was bathing.



Nandi, Shiva’s bull, who Parvati first sent to guard the door represents the divine temperment. Nandi is so devoted to Shiva that his every thought is directed to Him, and he is able to easily recognize the Lord when He arrives. This shows that the attitude of the spiritual aspirant is what gains access to Devi’s (the kundalini shakti’s) abode. One must first develop this attitude of the devotee before hoping to become qualified for the highest treasure of spiritual attainment, which Devi alone grants.



After Nandi permitted Shiva to enter, Parvati took the turmeric paste from Her own body, and with it created Ganesha.. Yellow is the color associated with the Muladhara chakra, where the kundalini resides, and Ganesha is the deity who guards this chakra. Devi needed to create Ganesha, who represents the earthbound awareness, as a shield to protect the divine secret from unripe minds. It is when this awareness begins to turn away from things of the world, and toward the Divine, as Nandi had, that the great secret is revealed.



Shiva is the Lord and Supreme Teacher. Ganesha here represents the ego-bound Jiva. When the Lord comes, the Jiva, surrounded as it is with the murky cloud of ego, usually doesn’t recognize Him, and maybe even ends up arguing or fighting with Him! Therefore, it is the duty of the Lord, in the form of the Guru, to cut off the head of our ego! So powerful is this ego however, that at first the Guru’s instructions may not work, as Shiva’s armies failed to subdue Ganesha. It often requires a tougher approach, but, eventually the compassionate Guru, in His wisdom finds a way.



Devi threatened to destroy the whole Creation after learning of Ganesha’s demise. This indicates that when the ego thus dies, the liberated Jiva loses interest in its temporary physical vehicle, the body, and begins to merge into the Supreme. The physical world is here represented by Devi. This impermanent and changeable creation is a form of Devi, to which this body belongs; the unchanging Absolute is Shiva, to which belongs the Soul. When the ego dies, the external world, which depends on the ego for its existence, disappears along with it. It is said that if we want to know the secrets of this world, which is a manifestation of Devi, then we must first receive the blessings of Ganesha.



Shiva restoring life to Ganesha, and replacing his head with an elephant’s, means that before we can leave the body, the Lord first replaces our small ego with a “big”, or universal ego. This doesn’t mean that we become more egoistic. On the contrary, we no longer identify with the limited individual self, but rather with the large universal Self. In this way, our life is renewed, becoming one that can truly benefit Creation. It is however only a functional ego, like the one Krishna and Buddha kept. It is like a thin string tying the liberated Consciousness to our world, solely for our benefit.



Ganesha is given dominion over the Ganas, which is a general term denoting all classes of beings, ranging from insects, animals and humans to the subtle and celestial beings. These various beings all contribute to the government of the Creation; everything from natural forces like storms and earthquakes, to the elemental qualities like fire and water, to functioning of the body’s organs and processes. If we don’t honor the Ganas, then our every action is a form of thievery, as it is unsanctioned. Therefore, instead of propitiating each Gana in order to receive their blessings, we bow to their Lord, Sri Ganesha. By receiving His grace, we receive the grace of all. He removes any potential obstacles and enables our endeavors to succeed.



.

meaning of shiv

SHIVA MEANS AWARENESS; CONCIOUSNESS ; SILENCE ; I YOU AND ME AND ALL ARE SHIVA
Here are the Sanskrit words and the English translations

Mano buddhya hankara chittani naham

Na cha shrotra jihve na cha ghrana netre

Na cha vyoma bhumir na tejo na vayuh

Chid ananda rupah shivo’ ham shivo’ ham





I am neither the mind, intellect, ego nor memory,

neither the ears nor the tongue nor the senses of smell and sight,

neither ether, air, fire, water or earth.

I am consciousness and bliss. I am Shiva, I am Shiva.







Na punyam na papam na saukhyam na duhkam

Na mantro na tirtham na veda na yajnah

Aham bhojanam naiva bhojyam na bhokta

Chid ananda rupah shivo’ ham shivo’ ham







I am neither virtue nor vice, neither pleasure nor pain,

neither mantra nor sacred place, neither scripture nor sacrifice.

I am neither the food nor the eater nor the act of eating.

I am consciousness and bliss. I am Shiva, I am Shiva.

Apurvanam param nityam

Svayam jyotir niramayam

Virajam param akasham dhruvam

Ananda mavyayam






I am beyond all things.

I am everlasting, self-luminous,

taintless, and completely pure.

I am immovable, blissful, and imperishable.

Aham nirvi kalpo nira kara rupo

Vibhut va cha sarvatra sarvendri yanam

Na chasan gatam naiva muktir na meyah

Chid ananda rupah shivo’ ham shivo’ ham






I am without thought, without form.

I am all pervasive, I am everywhere, yet I am beyond all senses.

I am neither detachment nor salvation nor anything that could be

measured.

I am consciousness and bliss. I am Shiva, I am Shiva.



.