Ananda Siva Natanam: The Blissful Dance of Siva

The book offers a fresh study of Lord Siva — who, together with Brahma and Vishnu, makes the Hindu trinity: the trimurti. The name Siva signifies ‘auspiciousness’. Often looked upon as the principle of cosmic destruction, he also creates and reproduces. Which is why, he is represented by the phallic symbol, ‘lingam’. The anthropomorphic depictions of Siva are invariably majestic and eerie; yet they evoke, in the beholder, awe and fear, mystery and submissive reverence. In abstract terms, Siva is the first cause, the source of consciousness, and the very substratum of the universe. Looking upon Siva as Nirguna (Pure Consciousness) and in his diverse Saguna (anthropomorphic) representations, the author focuses on Siva darsana: philosophy of Saivism, the legends associated with him and, among many other aspects, the meaning behind his representations as Linga and Nataraja.