Shiva
In this particular portrayal of the Hindu god Shiva, he is shown with four arms and flying locks of hair, as he dances on top of the figure of a dwarf, Apasmara which in English, translates to “forgetfulness,” or “heedlessness”. Apasmara is a symbol of human ignorance. Shiva’s back right hand holds an hourglass-shaped drum which is the damaru. The damaru is known as a power drum, and when played, it is believed to generate spiritual energy.
The front right hand is held in the abhaya mudra, which is the “fear-not” gesture, made by holding the palm outward with fingers held together and pointing upwards. Shiva’s back left hand carries Agni in the palm. Agni means fire. This fire refers to the aspiring flame that rises from our inmost being.
The front left hand is held across his chest in the gaja hasta, with wrist limp and fingers pointed downward toward the uplifted left foot. His front left arm is pointed to his lifted leg to provide refuge for the troubled soul. Gaja hasta originates from the term gaja-hasta-mudra, which means the posture of the elephant trunk. In this statue of Shiva, his left leg also exhibits the gaja hasta, for it is raised and a held in a way that very much resembles the trunk of an elephant. The locks of Shiva’s hair stand out in several strands that connect to the arch that surrounds him. This arch, bearing fire flames is known as the prabhamandala as it is encircling the dance of nature, performed by Shiva. In classic Sanskrit treatises on dance, this form, the most common representation of Nataraja, is called the bhujamgatrasa. Also known as “trembling of the snake”.
This sculpture of Shiva is 68.3 cm in height and, 56.5 cm in diameter. It is composed of copper alloy. Essentially it is metal alloys that have copper as their principal component. They have high resistance against corrosion so the statue is more likey to maintain its intended beauty and form. This figure from Tamil Nadu India is one example, dating back to the
The front right hand is held in the abhaya mudra, which is the “fear-not” gesture, made by holding the palm outward with fingers held together and pointing upwards. Shiva’s back left hand carries Agni in the palm. Agni means fire. This fire refers to the aspiring flame that rises from our inmost being.
The front left hand is held across his chest in the gaja hasta, with wrist limp and fingers pointed downward toward the uplifted left foot. His front left arm is pointed to his lifted leg to provide refuge for the troubled soul. Gaja hasta originates from the term gaja-hasta-mudra, which means the posture of the elephant trunk. In this statue of Shiva, his left leg also exhibits the gaja hasta, for it is raised and a held in a way that very much resembles the trunk of an elephant. The locks of Shiva’s hair stand out in several strands that connect to the arch that surrounds him. This arch, bearing fire flames is known as the prabhamandala as it is encircling the dance of nature, performed by Shiva. In classic Sanskrit treatises on dance, this form, the most common representation of Nataraja, is called the bhujamgatrasa. Also known as “trembling of the snake”.
This sculpture of Shiva is 68.3 cm in height and, 56.5 cm in diameter. It is composed of copper alloy. Essentially it is metal alloys that have copper as their principal component. They have high resistance against corrosion so the statue is more likey to maintain its intended beauty and form. This figure from Tamil Nadu India is one example, dating back to the