The Dance of Shiva as Path to Evolution
The primal aspect of life is movement. Without movement, there is neither action, speech, nor experience. If there is no movement, there is no growth, no progress. If none of these are there, then there is no life, no universe. Dance is more than mere movement; it is a definite, vital step, a step with a sound, a beautifully carved adavu, an aesthetically impressive movement of artistic splendour. As body movements are perfected (angikam), movement will be accompanied by vacchikam or speech and aharya or adornment. But this is where most dancers get stuck, unable to go beyond. With persistent effort they excel in angika-vacchika-aharya, but what about the fourth aspect of dance, the sattvikam? The ultimate purpose of dance is sattvikam, the aesthetic bliss. Through dance, an inner light should glow. Together, with perfection of body movements, classical dancers should develop citta prasad or clarity of mind. Is your life not a dreary journey of birth, death and rebirth? Should you not prefer a journey of perfection - movements towards sattvikam Shivam - oneness with Shiva? Sattvikam is the dance of pure bliss, which cannot be compared with mundane pleasure. This state of pure bliss leads to the ultimate state of moksha or salvation. When the dancer dances, there is the enchanting dance combined with melodious music, vibrant drums, sensational sculpture, marvellous painting, inspiring poem, movements of aesthetic beauty, movements of pure joy. For a split second, the perfection of dance makes the dancer become one with dance itself. It is a moment of yoga the true realisation of the self. But just when the dancer completes the dance and leaves the stage, it is no more the same. A beautiful dancer should also possess a beautiful mind. Along with the perfection of dancing movements, one needs to suppress and remove the inherent malas or impurities. Otherwise, a dancer might look enchanting only while on stage. Every one of us is Shiva, Shiva that is a jivatman, an individual soul. As jivatman, you are pashu, an individual soul that is bound to this phenomenal world. As a bound soul, you are subject to pasha or bondage. The outer glitter and temporary pleasures of this world mesmerise you and you are overwhelmed by the senses. Though you possess drkshakti and kriyashakti- to see, to discern and to act at will- yet, you cannot get rid of all the avaranas or coverings. You are responsible for your own self, actions and spiritual evolution. If you remain a sanjana, attached to the body, mind and senses, you will never evolve, but if you become a niranjana, free from the bondages of this world, you will attain pratyabhijna or rea sation of true nature, Shiva. A dancer, to be happy and peaceful on stage and off it, should go through a purification, wherein the three malas or impurities - anavamala, mayiyamala, and karmamala— are annihilated until they reach the dukhanta state when all sorrow and suffering ends. Yoga can help every dancer attain samyoga, the union of pashu with pashupati, jivatman with Isaura. Yama’s like ahimsa and niyamas like akrodha and anasuya, non-anger and nonjealousy, have to be practised everyday. In spite of persistent Shivadhyana and ShivajapŠ°, only with anugraha or grace can you achieve mukti or salvation.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are GEETA R MENON kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: GEETA R MENON Speaking Tree,Times of India
The Dance of Shiva as Path to Evolution
The primal aspect of life is movement. Without movement, there is neither action, speech, nor experience. If there is no movement, there is no growth, no progress. If none of these are there, then there is no life, no universe. Dance is more than mere movement; it is a definite, vital step, a step with a sound, a beautifully carved adavu, an aesthetically impressive movement of artistic splendour. As body movements are perfected (angikam), movement will be accompanied by vacchikam or speech and aharya or adornment. But this is where most dancers get stuck, unable to go beyond. With persistent effort they excel in angika-vacchika-aharya, but what about the fourth aspect of dance, the sattvikam? The ultimate purpose of dance is sattvikam, the aesthetic bliss. Through dance, an inner light should glow. Together, with perfection of body movements, classical dancers should develop citta prasad or clarity of mind. Is your life not a dreary journey of birth, death and rebirth? Should you not prefer a journey of perfection - movements towards sattvikam Shivam - oneness with Shiva? Sattvikam is the dance of pure bliss, which cannot be compared with mundane pleasure. This state of pure bliss leads to the ultimate state of moksha or salvation. When the dancer dances, there is the enchanting dance combined with melodious music, vibrant drums, sensational sculpture, marvellous painting, inspiring poem, movements of aesthetic beauty, movements of pure joy. For a split second, the perfection of dance makes the dancer become one with dance itself. It is a moment of yoga the true realisation of the self. But just when the dancer completes the dance and leaves the stage, it is no more the same. A beautiful dancer should also possess a beautiful mind. Along with the perfection of dancing movements, one needs to suppress and remove the inherent malas or impurities. Otherwise, a dancer might look enchanting only while on stage. Every one of us is Shiva, Shiva that is a jivatman, an individual soul. As jivatman, you are pashu, an individual soul that is bound to this phenomenal world. As a bound soul, you are subject to pasha or bondage. The outer glitter and temporary pleasures of this world mesmerise you and you are overwhelmed by the senses. Though you possess drkshakti and kriyashakti- to see, to discern and to act at will- yet, you cannot get rid of all the avaranas or coverings. You are responsible for your own self, actions and spiritual evolution. If you remain a sanjana, attached to the body, mind and senses, you will never evolve, but if you become a niranjana, free from the bondages of this world, you will attain pratyabhijna or rea sation of true nature, Shiva. A dancer, to be happy and peaceful on stage and off it, should go through a purification, wherein the three malas or impurities - anavamala, mayiyamala, and karmamala— are annihilated until they reach the dukhanta state when all sorrow and suffering ends. Yoga can help every dancer attain samyoga, the union of pashu with pashupati, jivatman with Isaura. Yama’s like ahimsa and niyamas like akrodha and anasuya, non-anger and nonjealousy, have to be practised everyday. In spite of persistent Shivadhyana and ShivajapŠ°, only with anugraha or grace can you achieve mukti or salvation.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are GEETA R MENON kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: GEETA R MENON Speaking Tree,Times of India