Nataraj, the dancing form of Lord Shiva, is a symbolic synthesis of the cosmic cycles of creation and destruction, as well as the daily rhythm of birth and death. Nataraja or Nataraj, the dancing form of Lord Shiva, is a symbolic synthesis of the cosmic cycles of creation and destruction, as well as the daily rhythm of birth and death. This cosmic dance of Shiva is called 'Anandatandava,' meaning
the Dance of Bliss
In a marvelously unified and dynamic composition expressing the rhythm and harmony of life, Nataraja is shown with four hands represent the cardinal directions. He is dancing, with his left foot elegantly raised and the right foot on a prostrate figure—'Apasmara Purusha', the personification of illusion and ignorance over whom Shiva triumphs. The upper left-hand holds a flame, the lower left-hand points down to the dwarf, who is shown holding a cobra. The upper right-hand holds an hourglass drum or 'dumroo' that stands for the male-female vital principle, the lower shows the gesture of assertion: "Be without fear.".
