In the realm of Hindu mythology, there exists a dance form of divine magnificence known as Shiv Tandav. This mesmerizing dance is intrinsically woven with the fabric of the cosmos, transcending the boundaries of human comprehension.

As we embark on this exploration, we shall unravel the enigmatic connections between Shiv Tandav and the Cosmic universe, delving into the mystical realm where dance and cosmic forces entwine.

Remember, in this post many times I will refer to Lord Shiva as Shiva or Bhagwan shiv. This is because in Hinduism aka Sanatana Dharma, they are named like this.

The Cosmic Dance of Creation and Destruction

Bhagwan Shiva is often referred as the Destroyer, among the 3 godheads of Hindu dharma. The other two are : Bhagwan Vishnu as the preserver and Bhagwan Brahma as the creator of the physical realm of the universe or world.
Bhagwan Shiva can also be seen as the Transformer as after Destruction, new beginnings start to arise.

So the dance of Shiva, or shiv tandav is often referred to as the dance of destruction and creation.

It represents the eternal cycle of birth and death, creation and dissolution that governs the universe. The vigorous and energetic movements of the dance signify the primal forces of the cosmos in motion. Lord Shiva’s tandav represents the dynamic interplay between opposing forces—life and death, order and chaos, creation and destruction—which are inherent in the cosmic order.

Symbolism of Shiv Tandav dance

The Tandav dance is replete with symbolism that reflects the cosmic connections and metaphysical concepts of the universe.

Bhagwan Shiva’s matted hair locks, which are often portrayed dishevelled, represent his disregard for social norms and the transcendent nature of the divine.

The crescent moon on his head symbolizes the cycle of time and the cosmic rhythm. The sound of the drum, called “damru,” played by Shiva during the dance, represents the primal sound of creation, the cosmic vibration that sustains the universe. The crescent also represnts calmness, bhagwan shiva, while meditating is calm as rock.

The dance itself is a cosmic spectacle where Shiva’s movements manifest the energies of the universe.

The fierce and powerful expressions in the dance represent the destructive aspect of Shiva, while the graceful and serene postures symbolize his nurturing and benevolent nature.

The rhythmic footwork embodies the cosmic rhythm that permeates everything.

How many forms of Shiv Tandav are there?

There are 7 forms of Shiv Tandav performed by Bhagwan Shiva:

Seven forms of Tandav of Bhagwan Shiva are:
1) Kalika Tandavam – Dance of creation,
2) Sandhya Tandavam – Dane of preservation of cosmos Urdhva Tandava, when he competed with Goddess Parvati.
3) Shankara Tandavam – Dance of destruction
4) Tripura Tandavam – Dance of concealment
5) Vurtha Tandavam or Anugraha Thandavam – Dance through which beings experience the world.
6) Ananda Tandava – He carries out all the above said five functions – Nataraja Form
7) Bhujangatirasam – Named after the serpent which Shiva wears.

Who wrote Shiv Tandav?

Dedicated to this Tandav, a strotam was written by the king of Lanka, Raavana which is known as Shiv Tandav Strotam.

Cosmic Union and Universal Harmony

Beyond the symbolism and movements, the Shiv Tandav dance signifies the union of the individual with the cosmic consciousness.

It is a path to achieve liberation, where the dancer transcends their limited identity and merges with the universal energy. The dance becomes a meditative and transformative experience that allows one to experience the unity of all things and dissolve the boundaries between the self and the cosmos.

Even the yoga that you do today wasn’t just an exercise in olden times, actually it was a way to sync with the universal energies and the synchronization in turn would heal their all physical and mental health

The actual meaning of Yoga is to be one, you can also say to combine, to become one!

I wrote this piece in the month of Shravan, Shravan month is dedicated to Lord Shiva. People go to temples to worship shiva, they pour water on shivalinga in a hope to get blessings of Bhagvan Shiva.

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If you want to read a book related to Shiva there’s a beautiful book named as the Shiva Sutras. You can buy from below: