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Nataraja | The Lord of Dance

Art : Nataraja by Satheesh Kanna


All the reverberations of the world nestled
In a tiny speck that glowed bright,
Like beads in a necklace, It united with
The mighty hands of a violent Lord.

The speck, moved along like a Cobra,
It wrestled to be released, A space
Overpowering, yet calm waited
For the Cobra to taste his infinity.

The Lord held the flames of wrath on his left hand,
He clutched onto it with a rage unmatched,
With it all powers shall crumble down,
With it all creations shall see annihilation.

Umbraged, liberated and fearsome,
The speck escaped his hands, Fire
Spread all around the Lords' head, For once
The speck was here, next it was there.

It encircled the Lord in a heavenly tune,
The frenzy uplifted the Lord,
His hands moved to push the flame,
Onto the circling speck.

In a flash of ambrosial light and sound,
The speck exploded and whizzed all around,
The Lord went onto a fury of power,
He felt his waist circling with divine force,
He saw his hands moving to the exalted hymn,
His legs making steps against ignorance,
He found the world pay prostrations as he,
The Shiva discharged his fury by performing the cosmic dance,
The Tandava.

Notes
Fritjof Capra, a renowned physicist in a search for connection between Eastern mysticism and modern Physics suggested a revolutionary idea, that Shiva's Tandava was a sub atomic phenomenon. I have tried to portray the beginning of the universe in connection with the Tandava. Here the speck is a point that existed before the big bang. The speck being seen 'here and there' marks its dual nature which is an exciting behavior of sub-atomic particles. Shiva is an image of a power that provides for the big bang. If any clarifications are required do ask.

Here is the extract from Fritjof Capra's essay :

"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."

For more visit :  http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Philosophy-Fritjof-Capra.htm

And here is a good article on the Nataraja :  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nataraja

Comments

  1. Poetry connected with physics....great!
    Hinduism is a religion based on science, but the way it is projected makes it look more like a superstition.But, if we look at it the way you have shown, many more secrets will be revealed.

    Thanks for posting this.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks a lot Vandana. Loved your comments. :)

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  2. There is great wisdom in the Hindu ancient texts, far more than we can or will ever imagine.

    Lord Shiva's rudra roop well portrayed in your poem. Om Namah Shivaya.

    Dropping by from Poetry Pantry.
    Suzy http://ilasoulpoems.blogspot.co.nz/2013/05/truth-about-life.html

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    Replies
    1. It is true Suzy. The texts hold essential lessons on character development, science, mysticism and what not. It shows us a way of life according to a set doctrine.

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  3. Intelligent and stunning piece! I loved the picture and your poem was so vivid and organic =)

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  4. This is epic and beautifully deep, a poem to be savored, reread. Thank you for your afternotes as well.

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  5. wonderful weaving of words/myth and science as well!

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  6. very interesting.both the poem and your explanations.fascinating stuff.

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  7. Wow. Beautiful art work, extremely intriguing poem, and then your amazing comments at the end. Am intrigued by the idea of the here and there behavior of the particles. My fave phrase: "the cosmic dance".

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Sherry. All of the texts in Hinduism and related religions like Buddhism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism are really intriguing. I always feel that they have something really important to communicate with us rather than just teach us on that particular religion. Many mistake all these for the brilliance or splendor of their respective deities but I feel there is something more.

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  8. wow...vivid and you really make the story come alive with some amazing imagery....pretty cool as well on the link between the mysticism and physics...fascinating really...

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Brian. Glad you checked that link out. Its a great read, Fritjof Capra is one of my personal favorites. :)

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  9. This is a wonderfully vivid write--and thank you for including the narrative--very interesting --

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  10. A Prolific Poem About The Creator, The Protector, And The Destroyer,

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  11. Loved the play of words and the thoughts behind it. Very fascinating way of depicting the pic!

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  12. Only a well established can scribble the way you did.A good piece of work

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  13. wonderful write up & explanations. Great Anand.
    Small request -
    The painting used above for this poet is mine. Please dont use it for commercial purpose.
    Thanks :)

    ReplyDelete

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