… is a key symbol & artistic form of yogic philosophy
✨ Its complex meaning beautifully reveals the yogic understanding of life & the universe
Śiva is shown dancing within a circle of flames, which represents the entire material world of energy, space & time. His dance is all-embracing 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 & 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 the activity of life. The divine is thus to be found everywhere; in all places, times, forms, happenings & beings in never-ending cyclical time
✨ His long, matted yogi hair of the Ganga streams out to the whole universe, representing the limitlessness of being
His upper arms represent the ongoing, natural rhythms of creation and destruction by holding a drum (creation) & fire (destruction)
His lower right hand is held in Abhaya mudrā, the gesture of fearlessness. It is as though he is telling us that in spite of everything - all the change, movement and also destruction of life - it is alright. To not to be afraid within the great dance of the universe
Another hand points to one of his feet that is held raised against gravity, representing spiritual contemplation. His other foot rests on a dwarf representing the ego - something to keep in its place while not wiping it out completely - it is also a 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 aspect of the dance of life
✨ I love this form for its inclusive & and alive attitude to life & spirituality; the divine is very much shown as within & throughout all life’s aspects & polarities, including within ourselves
… Many many more aspects and symbols are held in it than I have mentioned..
✨ There is so much more to yoga than āsana (postures on the mat) & it can be hard knowing where to look to go deeper than drop-in classes…
Are you intrigued to explore yoga’s rich philosophy and its hugely beneficial wisdom for everyday life?
Take a look at our upcoming course:
𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐠𝐚 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐲
*an accessible 6-month exploration of what yoga is really all about
We start in February! Join us?
Love from India,
Anya