Thiruvathira on January 10, 2020: Ardra and Physics
Ardra and Physics*
Tomorrow is aaruthra Darshan in all the
Shiva temples.
The cosmic dance of
Shiva symbolises the interplay of dynamic and
static divine energy flow, containing the five
principles of eternal energy — creation,
preservation, destruction, illusion and
emancipation. Shiva dances in ‘Rudra Tandava’
or the dance of destruction in an aureole of
fire,
creating wild thunder storms all around the
universe, even shattering the Sun, the Moon
and stellar bodies with his matted hair, marks of
ash on the forehead, trident, drum, lifting his
left leg and balancing over a demon of
ignorance, with snakes crawling over his arms,
legs, and braided hair that depict egotism. His
upper right hand holds an hourglass drum or
'dumroo' standing for the male-female vital
principle, while the lower gestures us to "Be
fearless". A skull on his head depicts conquest
over death. Goddess Ganga, epitomising the
holy river, sits on his hairdo. His third eye
represents omniscience, insight, and
enlightenment.
The ‘Lasya’ or the gentle form of his dance,
known as ‘Aananda Tandavam’ or dance of bliss
is associated with the creation of the world,
after its total destruction. Shiva’s two different
cosmic dances take place in one’s
‘Chidambaram’ or in the sky of the mind,
portrayed as the centre of consciousness
situated at the altar of one’s heart.
Shiva is the symbol of ‘Brahmam’, the universal
Shiva is the symbol of ‘Brahmam’, the universal
consciousness. The cosmic serpent called
‘Kundalini’, draped by the Lord of all
dance
is mythically present in every living form.
Arousal of the ‘kundalini’ is a metaphor for the
awakening of the seven energy centres or
‘chakras’ situated in the spine.
The European Centre for Research in Particle
Physics in Geneva-CERN had unveiled in 2004
the two metre-tall statue of Nataraja, the form
of Shiva depictd in dance pose. The dancing
Indian deity, representing the cosmic cycles of
creation and destruction also depicts the
dynamics of subatomic particles, the basis of
creation of the universe that is being
researched
by physicists around the world.
The linkage between
the ancient Vedic mythology, religious
symbolism, art and modern physics has been
commented in the following way.
“Every subatomic particle not only does an
energy dance, but is also 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.”
*Write-up received from Vathsala Jayaraman via Exrbites Group email
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