SHIVA THANDAVA - WHERE IT HAPPENS ?

Dear Balarishi,

Last week you mentioned about Shiva Thaandavam, while talking about Mahashivarathri. Can you elaborate on it ?

 When it comes to Thaandavam, it finds two kinds of expressions. One is internal and the other one is external.The external expressions are artistic forms like Bharathanatyam, Kathak, Kuchupudi and so many other art forms. Now let us discuss about the inner expression of Thaandavam.

Broadly speaking, life itself is a dance. This dance happens in adherence to various types of internal beats. Each mood forms its own kind of rhythm and beat. These rhythms orchestrate an inner dance in each and everyone. Sometimes the dance is so beautiful.Sometimes the dance is horrible. The moods and mood swings decide the nature of the inner dance.

Similarly, the life situations also contribute either to the speed or slowness of the inner dance and there are so many variations or fluctuations. As one gets closer to inner harmony, much of balance happens in this inner dance. The dance of Shiva was a complete dance of bliss. It is the Aanandha Thaandava for this Universe and one has to mature and blossom to that ultimate experience!

When you talk about the inner rhythm or beat, there are again two kinds of it. One is masculine which is intense of powerful emotions.This is referred as Rudhra thaandava  or Ukra thaandava. On the other hand, the dance of Shakthi is referred as Laasya, which represents; tenderness, motherliness, love and compassion. In yogic culture this is also referred as Ida and Pingala. Ida refers to the feminine energy and Pingala refers to the masculine energy. The harmony of these two energies is the eternal dance which happens in the inner core of each and every one.

It is said that Shiva and Shakthi performed Aanadha Thaandava after their wedding on Maha Shivarathri as both these energies came together. When one understands the real rhythm into the inner core of the self,  he or she will understand that the eternal cosmic dance of Shiva and Shakthi reverberates into their own life energy.