Material: copper alloy

Size: Height 26 7/8 in. (68.3 cm); diameter 22 1/4 in. (56.5 cm)

 

First, take a minute or two to look closely at the images above. Write down your reaction to this object--what details do you notice? Why did you pick this object for your response paper? Make notes on things that you notice about it. Also, write down any questions you have about it--what kinds of things would you want to know about this object? Remember the questions we ask in class. You don't need to have answers for these questions yet, but keep them in your notes.

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Once you have some questions written down, try to answer them by reading the information I've provided below about this object and its context.​

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What do we know about this object?​

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The religion of Hinduism believes in a number of deities, who are all seen as different "aspects" of a single divine power. The three most powerful "aspects" are the gods Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer). This statue depicts the god Shiva in his form as Shiva Nataraja, Shiva the Dancer. Nataraja's eternal dance is performed at the center of the universe in the presence of all the gods. Through symbols and gestures, Shiva Nataraja visualizes his powers as creator, preserver, and destroyer of the universe and conveys the Indian conception of the never-ending cycle of time. Shiva's dance is set within a flaming halo. The god holds in his upper right hand the damaru (hand drum that made the first sounds of creation). His upper left hand holds agni (the fire that will destroy the universe). With his lower right hand, he makes abhayamudra (the gesture that allays fear, palm out as if to say "stop, don't fear"). Wrapped around his arm is a snake--you can see the cobra head rising from his arm. The snake is an ambiguous symbol, since its bite brings death, but it is also a symbol of rebirth through its shedding of skin. The dwarflike figure being trampled by his right foot represents apasmara purusha (illusion, which leads mankind astray). Shiva's front left hand, pointing to his raised left foot, signifies refuge for the troubled soul. A woman’s earring appears in one of his ears, for Shiva is both male and female. The energy of his dance makes his hair fly to the sides. The symbols imply that, through belief in Shiva, his devotees can achieve salvation. 

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The image teaches that through devotion to Shiva, a person's soul can be released from the "prison" of illusion and the endless cycles of birth and rebirth to which the ignorant are doomed. The belief that Shiva is the "still point" beyond the cycles of time is emphasized by the fact that, although his flying hair indicates his dance is wild and swift, his face is absolutely calm, and although his legs and arms are in motion, their positions are balanced. If the devotee overcomes ignorance (the demon under Shiva's feet) by realizing the meaning of ultimate reality as revealed in Shiva’s form and dance, he will be delivered from fear and attain final release from this finite world forever. Shiva, Lord of Dancers, dances this world into and out of existence. Dancing, he veils ultimate reality and unveils it for his devotee who recognizes the ultimate reality within his heart.

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Dance has always been important in Indian culture: it is believed to represent the rhythm of life in its purest form. Sacred texts often refer to Shiva as the King of Dancers. In some of his dances, Shiva directs his energy towards specific ends; but when he performs the cosmic dance depicted in this bronze, Shiva reveals himself as the god who creates, sustains, veils, unveils, and destroys his creation, the universe.

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The hole at the base of this object indicates that it was originally attached to a base, so that the statue could be carried outside the temple during festivals to see and be seen by worshipers. Hindus believe that the image of a god contains the actual living god, and that the god can see the devotee and thus bestow blessings upon him or her. The consecration of a deity image includes a ritual to fill the figure with the breath of life (prana), followed by the "opening of the eyes" ceremony, in which the carving or painting of the eyes is finished and the eyes are "opened" with a ritual implement. Simply viewing a temple, or an image of deity, gives merit to the worshiper who has journeyed to the temple to see the image.

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Some things to consider in your response paper:​

• What was your response to this object? What drew your eye? You are encouraged to use first person (I/me) in your response paper. I want to know what you think.

• Consider the artistic details of this object carefully. What kinds of decisions did the artist make when they were creating this piece, and why? Use your art terminology. What aspects of this sculpture are characteristic of Indian art?

• What does this artwork tell you about the beliefs of Hinduism? Imagine a worshiper coming to a temple; first they walk around the outside, observing and thinking about all the images, meditating on spirituality and belief. Then they come into the inner part of the temple and see this image. Or, perhaps the worshiper is present during a festival and sees this image paraded around, honored with gifts of flowers and food. What would that experience be like? How can a statue like this lead us closer to a religious experience?