Shiva as Nataraja Performing the Cosmic Dance
Shiva as Nataraja Performing the Cosmic Dance
This panel depicts Shiva as Nataraja (the King of Dance) performing a cosmic dance, witnessed by his consort Parvati, his son Ganesha, and the other two deities of the Hindu trinity—Brahma and Vishnu—along with numerous celestial beings and musicians.
The lower portion of the panel is damaged. Shiva’s torso below the waist is mutilated, and most of his multiple arms are broken; however, his face and head remain intact, offering a glimpse of the original magnificence of the relief.
On the right side, Parvati, shown as a smaller figure, stands watching the dance with a composed, almost awestruck expression. Ganesha appears just above her, also witnessing the performance.
On the left side, Brahma, depicted with multiple heads, is shown aloft, riding a flock of swans (his divine vahana). Behind him is an unidentified rishi (sage). Vishnu is also present on this side, though the figure is more difficult to identify due to damage.
Nataraja is a popular theme in Shiva temples. For instance, in the Nataraja panel of Cave 1 at Badami, Shiva performs the vigorous tandava nritya (tandava dance), a dynamic cosmic dance associated with creation, preservation, and destruction. In contrast, the Elephanta panel presents a more lalita (charming) expression of the cosmic dance, as characterized by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), highlighting its graceful and elegant quality.
Another notable difference between the two depictions is the number of arms: the Badami Nataraja is shown with eighteen arms, whereas the Elephanta Nataraja has eight.
Related Pages
– Nataraja Performing Tandava Nritya – Cave 1 of the Badami rock-cut cave temples, Karnataka, India.
– Shiva Tandava Nritya – Pediment of a gopura in Banteay Srei Temple, Cambodia
– Badami, Cave Temples of Badami
– Badami Cave 1, Badami Cave 2, Badami Cave 3, Badami Cave 4
– Durga Temple at Aihole
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