Why Lord Nataraja changed his dancing posture

After the demise of Vikrama Pandian, Rajesekharan ascended the throne. He learnt and mastered sixty-three out of the sixty-four arts. He did not attempt to learn 'Bharathanatyam' because he believed as Lord Nataraja was the supreme dancer, it would amount to disrespect to practice that art form.

 

During Rajeskharan's rule, the Chola Kingdom was ruled by Karikaal Cholan. Not only was he a great King but he had also mastered all the sixty four arts including Bharatnatyam. One day a poet from Karikaalan's court visited Rajesekharan. After paying tributes he said that his King was a master of all sixty-four arts whereas the Pandian knew only sixty-three. Believing the admonition was a way of God instructing him to learn Bharatnatyam, Rajasekharan Pandian started to learn that art of dance. However he soon found that the practice exhausted him to such a degree that it made him wonder whether it would also be tiresome for Lord Nataraja, who had been dancing for ages with his left leg always lifted.

 

Dancing posture, Lord Nataraja worshipped at Tiruvannamalai

The compassionate king filled with love and devotion for the Lord spent sleepless nights worrying how much it would hurt the Lord to always dance in one posture. On the day of Sivaratri, he arranged a puja for Lord Somasundarar then presented himself in front of Lord Nataraja. With a melting heart he beseeched the Lord,

 

“Oh my beloved Lord, you are dancing always with one leg on the ground and the other lifted in the  air. Does it not cause you pain? Please change your posture by setting your left leg on the ground and your right leg in the air. This will bring relief to my aching heart. If you do not oblige I will kill myself here in front of you."

 

With these words, he unsheathed his sword and was about to kill himself but at that very moment, the merciful Lord Nataraja changed his posture and set his left leg on the ground and lifted his right leg. Pandian was overwhelmed by the Lord's compassion and further requested that Lord Nataraja always exhibit his changed posture at Velliambalam for the benefit of devotees. 

 

Lord Nataraja at VelliSabhai, Madurai

 

Lord Nataraja granted the wish and even to this day Lord Nataraja is worshipped in that posture at Madurai.

[Thiruvilaiyadal Puranam]