#natraj

Naṭarāja- The divine cosmic dancer

The iconographical attributes of Shiva are the #serpent (Snake) around his neck, the adorning crescent moon, the holy river #Ganga flowing from his matted hair, the #ThirdEye on his forehead, the #Trishula or #Trident, as his weapon, and the #Damaru drum. He is usually worshipped in the aniconic form of lingam. Shiva is a pan-Hindu deity, revered widely by Hindus, in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

#KnowYourShiva: शिव का स्वरूप

#Damru (डमरू)

Damru symbolizes the Universe which is always expanding and collapsing. From an expansion it collapses and then it re-expands, this is the process of creation.

#TheCrescentMoon (अर्ध-चंद्र)

Wisdom is beyond the mind, but it needs to be expressed with a tinge of mind and this is symbolized by the crescent moon.

#TheBull (नंदी)

Bull has been used as a symbol of dharma (righteousness) from a long time, throughout the world. Lord Shiva riding on the bull simply means that when you are righteous and truthful, the infinite consciousness, the innocent consciousness is with you.

#Snake (नागराज बासुकी)

The snake SYMBOLIZES Alertness. To Express this state of consciousness, a Snake is Shown around Shiva's neck.

#Trishul (त्रिशूल)

Trishul Signifies that Shiva is above all three states- waking, dreaming and sleeping, yet he upholds all three states.

#ThirdEye (तीसरी आँख)

Alertness, knowledge and wisdom are all related to the Third Eye of Lord Shiva.

Nataraja is a depiction of the Tamil mythology Shaiva Siddhanta as the cosmic ecstatic dancer.