BIG Bang=Bigger JOke
I recently obtained a bronze statue of the Hindu god Shiva dancing the
Nataraj (Sanskrit
nata= dance;
raja= royal).
Shiva is the god of creation, destruction, and renewal. He is the creator and destroyer of worlds. I will attempt to interpret for you this ancient Hindu art work (please see image below).
In his right hand he holds a drum while in his left hand he holds a flame. The drum represents the primordial sound of creation and the flame represents the primordial fire of the creation of the universe. The suggestion here of a "big bang" is rather remarkable.
His right foot crushes a dwarf, who represents ignorance. His upraised left leg lifts the veil of illusion from mankind. His lower right hand expresses a gesture of "do not be afraid", while his lower left hand gesture promises salvation through liberation of the mind and soul. The flames which surround him signify the cyclical creation/destruction of the universe as well as the daily rhythm of birth, death, and re-birth.
Shiva Nataraj
"The source of all movement,
Shiva's dance,
Gives rhythm to the universe.
He dances in evil places,
In sacred,
He creates and preserves,
Destroys and releases.
We are part of this dance
This eternal rhythm,
And woe to us if, blinded
By illusions,
We detach ourselves
From the dancing cosmos,
This universal harmony" -- Ruth Peel
[This message has been edited by Orion, 06-25-2003]