The Dance of Siva
Religion, Art and Poetry in South India

Siva's Dance of Bliss in poetry, iconography, ritual and philosophy is examined here.

David Smith (Author)

9780521482349, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 26 July 1996

316 pages, 30 b/w illus.
23.7 x 15.8 x 2.1 cm, 0.672 kg

'… a complete and comprehensive account of the hallowed Chidambaram temple … a veritable store-house of information … The amount of solid research that has gone into this volume is amazing.' Journal of the Institute of Asian Studies

This is a full account of Siva's Dance of Bliss, which has become a popular symbol in the West for Hinduism and Eastern Mysticism. Siva is one of the two main gods of Hinduism, and his worshippers comprise half of all Hindus. Siva's Dance of Bliss is based on a remarkable Sanskrit poem written by Umapati Sivacarya, Saiva theologian and temple priest in Cidambaram, South India, in the fourteenth century. Starting with the bronze image of Nataraja, King of Dancers, thereafter the Cidambaram temple, its myth and its priests are viewed in the light of the poem. Umapati's Saiva theology is discussed in relation to his life and also in relation to Vedanta and yoga. The iconography and mythology of the Goddess and of other forms of Siva provide necessary perspective. Art from Cidambaram and neighbouring sites illuminates the text.

List of illustrations
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. The Natar?ja bronze
2. The Cidambaram myth
3. Temple, priests and ritual
4. The Hall of Consciousness, the Heart of the Universe
5. ?aiva Siddh?nta and Ved?nta
6. The Goddess
7. Bhiks?tana
8. Bhairava the Terrible and other forms of ?iva
9. Saints, dancing girls, ganas and Apasm?ra
10. Last words
Notes
Bibliography
Index and glossary.

Subject Areas: Hinduism [HRG]