#A-SN014     This brass statue portrays the Hindu god Shiva (Siva) as Shiva Nataraja, the Lord of the Dance. It measures approx. 8.5" tall.

Sells elsewhere for $77.95.

Shiva Nataraja is one of the most familiar portrayals of Shiva. Shiva as a dancing figure first appeared in Indian stone temple sculpture in the 5th and 6th century AD, and it was not until the 10th century AD that the now familiar free-standing sculptural representation, typically in bronze, became standard.  In this remarkably standardized form, He is shown dancing within a flaming halo (prabha mandala) which represents Time and which is shown as a circle to symbolize the Hindu belief that it is both cyclical and without end.  The flames of the ring sprout from the mouths of makaras or mythical sea creatures shown at the base of the sculpture.  The dance the smiling Shiva is performing is the Tandava, the cosmic dance which both creates and destroys the universe. The energy and wildness of the dance is shown in his bent knees and the extravagant spreading of the god’s hair. Shiva’s locks also contain a skull, a datura blossom, and a crescent moon which represents the idea that Shiva is ever-present even if sometimes he is not always visible. Even more prominent is the figure of Ganga, the personification of the river Ganges, who, according to Hindu mythology, was brought gently from the heavens down to earth in the god’s hair. Sometimes the god’s hair is topped with a fan of konnai leaves.

 In his upper right hand he holds a small drum – the damaru (usually taking the shape of an hour-glass) – which provides not only rhythm but also reminds that it was this drum which made the first sounds of the creation.  The beat of the drum is also considered to provide the heartbeat of the cosmos, the maya. Conversely, in Shiva’s upper left hand he holds agni, the divine fire, which will destroy the universe.   

 Shiva’s lower right hand makes the abhaya mudra gesture of blessing which calms all fear, and the lower left arm sweeps across his torso with the hand pointing to his left foot in the gesture of gaja hasta, symbol of salvation and liberation. Shiva’s right foot is shown stamping on the dwarf figure Apasmara Purusha, who holds a cobra and who represents illusion and ignorance, leading humanity away from truth. The cobra motif is repeated and hangs slain from Shiva’s right arm. The god usually wears only a short dhoti which is tied around his waist with a sash. Typically, the two ends of the sash billow to the god’s dancing movement and reach out to join the ring of fire. Shiva also wears jewelry – necklaces, armlets, and anklets.

Payment is due within seven days. If you would like to purchase more than the amount shown, please contact me. 

USPS Priority Mail, FedEx Domestic, and UPS Ground, 3-Day, 2-Day and Next Day Delivery are available; insurance is included. Shipping may only be combined with other items whose # starts with A, and which are paid for at the same time and delivered to the same address; please wait to pay until I  send you your combined invoice to ensure that you have the correct amount.

Please double-check your delivery address. If package is returned to Seller due to an inaccurate or incomplete address, Buyer is responsible for cost of reshipping.

Shiva is the Hindu god of destruction, and one of the Trimurti. He follows Brahma the creator and Vishnu the preserver, after which Brahma again creates the world and so on. Shiva is responsible for change both in the form of death and destruction and in the positive sense of the shedding of old habits. In Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram or Truth, Goodness and Beauty, Shiva also represents the most essential goodness.

Shiva is the god of the yogis, self-controlled and celibate, while at the same time a lover of his spouse. Shiva's first wife was Sati and his second wife was Parvati, also known as Uma, Gauri, Durga, Kali, and Shakti. His sons are Ganesha and Kartikeya. Shiva lives on Mount Kailasa in the Himalayas.

Shiva's main attributes are the trident that represents the three gunas and the snakes that show he is beyond the power of death and poison and also stand for the Kundalini energy. The vehicle of Shiva is the white bull called Nandi (the joyful). He is often seated on a tiger skin or wears a tiger skin, with the tiger representing the mind.

Shiva has many forms, which are visible in his Panchavaktra form with 5 heads, a combination of all Shiva energies : Aghora (resides in the cremation grounds), Ishana (most often appears as the shivalingam), Tat Purusha (meditating), Varna Deva (the eternal Shiva) and Saddyojat or Braddha Rudra (the old wrathful form). The last also forms the connection to the Rudraksha mala- a rosary made of the dried fruits of the Rudraksha tree.

Shiva is conceived in his unborn, invisible form as the Lingam. It is always accompanied by the Yoni, which is the female principle, surrounding the base of the Lingam. The Lingam represents the male creative energy of Shiva.

When Ganga (the goddess personifying the sacred river Ganges) incarnated on Earth, Shiva captured her in his hair to prevent her flooding all the earth.  Then, the river Ganges was released from Lord Shiva's hair to meet the needs of the country.