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]

Aani Thirumanjanam Arunachaleswarar Temple: July 10, 2016

Aani Uthiram, or Aani Thirumanjanam, is an auspicious day in the Tamil Month of Aani (June -July) and is dedicated to Lord Nataraja (Shiva). It is believed that Lord Nataraja gives darshan to his devotees in the months Aani and Margazhi. 

The word "Thirumanjanam" means Holy bath. The festival is observed on the Uthiram Nakshatram day. In 2016, this day fell on July 10th. 

The Lord's form demonstrates his five-fold functions: creation, preservation, destruction, concealment and salvation. The rattle (udukkai) in his right hand represents creation; his raised right arm with the open palm (abhaya hastam) protection; his left hand holding fire destruction; his firmly placed foot concealment; and his other, slightly lifted, leg salvation. Lord Nataraja is given six abhishekams in a year. 

This planet takes 365 days to complete one full circle around the sun. That duration is divided into six seasons: 

Marghazhi-Thai—early winter 

Maasi-Panguni—late winter 

Chittirai-Vaikasi—early summer 

Aani-Aadi—high summer 

Avani-Purattasi—autumn 

Aippasi-Karthikai—rainy season. 

This six-season year of humans is said to be one day for the immortals. A day has six periods: dawn, morning, noon, afternoon, evening, and night. These are when the six daily poojas (Kaala Pooja) in temples are performed. During each of these six parts, an Abhishekam has been ordained for Lord Nataraja. One of these is Ani Thirumanjanam, the pradosha abhishekam on the evening of the day of Uthiram star in the Tamil month of Aani (June-July) is believed to be the best time for worshipping Lord Shiva. 

Three Tamil Saivaite saints whose shrine face the Nataraja shrine inside the Arunachaleswarar Temple are revered at the same time as worship of the Lord and his Goddess, and deeparadhana is performed by priests at the shrines of the Gods and Saints, which face each other. This is known as Arakattu Utsavam and only happens at this time. 

In preparation of the Holy Bath on Uthiram Nakshatram Lord Arunachaleswarar and Goddess Shivakami are brought out of the Temple in procession and taken to the 1000 pillared hall where they are installed in a special shrine. It is at this place that the sacred bath (Thirumanjanam) is performed. 

It is popularly believed that it was on Aani Uthiram day that Lord Shiva appeared before Sage Manikkavachakar under a Kurundai Tree and offered upadesha (advice). Sage Manikkavachakar is the author of Thiruvachakam. 

Below photographs of 2016 Aani Thirumanjanam at 1000 Pillar Hall, Fifth Prakaram, Arunachaleswarar Temple.

Lord Nataraj and Goddess Shivakami

The Gods being carried out of the 1000 Pillar Hall on Palanquins

Devotees waiting outside the 1000 Pillar Hall, Fifth Prakaram, Big Temple

The Gods exiting the 1000 Pillar Hall

Deliverance to a Thorny Bush

In reference to my earlier posting Thorny Bush, I came upon this fascinating story recorded by Suri Nagamma of Sri Ramana’s exposition of the liberation (moksha) of a thorn bush. 

In some versions the bush is identified as Mulli (the wild eggplant). 

The story goes like this: 

 “In Chidambaram, there was a jnani by the name of Umapathi Sivacharya. He was a poet and also a pundit. As he was in an extraordinary state of spirituality, he did not pay much attention to the usual Brahmanical practices. Hence, the pundit of the place became angry with him, especially since he was a learned man and knew all the precepts of the Hindu religion and they forbade him from living in the village or even visiting the Temple. He therefore lived in a small hut built on a raised ground outside the village. 

A low caste man called Pethan Samban used to supply him with all that he required and also help him in a general way. As things went on like this, one day, when that Pethan was carrying on his head a bundle of firewood, Iswara Himself met him on the way in the guise of the Dikshita in charge of the Temple, wrote a verse on a Palmyra leaf and gave it to him telling him that it was to be handed over to Umapathi Sivacharya and then disappeared. 

Pethan gave that verse to Sivacharya, who, on opening it, found in the first line the words, ‘Adiyarkkadiyen Chitrambalavanam’ (the servant of the devotees, the Lord of Chidambaram). Immediately, he was overwhelmed with devotion and a thrill passed through his body as he read the letter. The gist of the verse was: A note from Chidambaranathan – the servant of the devotees to the person who has set up a new establishment, namely Sivacharya. It is your duty to give initiation to this Pethan Samban regardless of caste and to the surprise of all people. 

He read the letter and was overwhelmed with joy. In obedience to the orders of the Lord, he initiated Pethan into the order of sannyasi, though he belonged to the lowest caste and in due course he gave nayana diksha (transmission of power through the eyes) to Pethan, immediately after which Pethan vanished into holy light. Sivacharya himself was immensely surprised at this occurrence and only then understood the wisdom of Pethan. 

Enemies of Sivacharya noticed the sacrificial offerings and other things he was having for his initiation and complained to the Government that Sivacharya had burnt Pethan to death for some mistake that Pethan might have committed. When the king visited with his retinue to enquire into the complaint, Sivacharya showed the verse of Lord Nataraja and said that he gave initiation to Pethan and that Pethan vanished thereafter in the form of a divine light (Jyoti). 

The king was surprised and asked Sivacharya if he could likewise give initiation and moksha to the thorn bush nearby. ‘Yes. What doubt is there?’ said Sivacharya. Accordingly he gave nayana diksha to that thorn bush and that too immediately disappeared in Pure Light (Jyoti). The king was still more astonished at that and said, ‘This looks like some black magic. You said this note had been written by Lord Nataraja. Let us go and ask him.’ Sivacharya pointed out that there was a ban on his entering the Temple. The king said that would not matter as he himself was accompanying Sivacharya. Accordingly they started for the temple together. Hearing all this, all the people – the pundits, the common people curious about the whole thing and the enemies of Sivacharya who were sure he would be punished – flocked to the temple to see the strange sight. 

As the two entered the Temple, and out of regard for the king when Arathi (waving of lights) was offered to Lord Nataraja, it was found that on either side of the Lord there stood Pethan and the thorn bush. The pundits were surprised and, out of fear and remorse, fell at the feet of Sivacharya requesting him to pardon them for all their faults. They subsequently brought him back into the village with due honours. [This story is found in Chidambara Mahatmyam].”