From Wikipedia:
In 2004, a 2m statue of the dancing Shiva was unveiled at CERN, the European Center for Research in Particle Physics in Geneva. A special plaque next to the Shiva statue explains the significance of the metaphor of Shiva's cosmic dance with quotations from Fritjof Capra: "Hundreds of years ago, Indian artists created visual images of dancing Shivas in a beautiful series of bronzes. In our time, physicists have used the most advanced technology to portray the patterns of the cosmic dance. The metaphor of the cosmic dance thus unifies ancient mythology, religious art and modern physics."
CERN as we know, is no Just-for-jolly Research organization. It is very well known for it's Large Hadron Collider. They have given the world which now the world can't function with out. None other than, The idea of World Wide Web sprung from the very heart of CERN. More than programming languages/technologies that run on top of internet, the fundamental aspect that amuses me is it's elusive yet comprehensible all-pervading nature, spread out to every nook and corner. An invisible fabric that connects us in this ever-ripping apart universe.
[ Reference: http://www.fritjofcapra.net/shiva.html ]
And this very people behind such technology and science, suddenly drop all their rationality and logic to unveil a statue of Dancing Shiva.
Why would they do it? Doesn't it surprise you? It surprises me. They have given various explanations, all pointing towards a subtle balance in this universe. A balance between the poles; Good and bad, right and wrong, acceptable and the unacceptable, virtue and vice, that and this, etc. Indeed, the explanations are true enough that this art form indeed stands for balance. I have listed down the explanations based on my understanding after reading few books on the topic and have added a couple of notes which I personally believe so. So, the opinion here is subjective.
Here goes the explanation:
*) This statue explains the Creation of Basic Elements, Sustenance of Balance and the final Destruction.
*) The hand operated drum represents the Sound from where Space came into being. The very fabric that is omnipresent and all-pervading. Big Bang theory which explains the creation of universe, Cosmic Microwave background information and every single scientific theory hence on, is moving towards explaining that Space and time was created at the time of a creation of universe, with a Big Bang!!
*) The depiction of wave motion in the hair and cloth represents Air.
*) The left hand holds Fire
*) The holy river Ganges on the head represents Water
*) The right foot firmly standing represents Earth
*) The raised left foot with a lifted toe [ observe the big toe closely ] represents entry of "prana". The only scientific reason I can think of is; In the brain, there are maps on the outer surface which corresponds to various organs of the body. [Reference: Phantoms in the Brain by VS Ramachandran]. The reproductive organ's map is at the very front of the lobe and just adjacent to it, we have the map for our foot. The same concept applies to all genders. So, It is an aesthetic way of representing the creation of life through reproductive organs.
*) The raised palm of the right hand represents protection. Hence, the imperative to be sincere and devoted towards the truth.
*) The downward looking palm signifies the final deluge. Every thing ends as ash to be washed away in water. Irrespective of what we are and what we do, we are reduced to that final form. So, we better be good while we are here. I often think being good and being right can not be two different things. Both has to be one and the same. What is right is what that is good.
*) The crescent moon represents the Cosmic Mind.
*) The serpent represents the Life force, Kundalini Shakthi which is dormant in our first level of our subtle body. There are seven planes through which this force can rise through. The seven planes are Mooladhara, Svadishtana, Manipuraga, Anahata, Vishuddhi, Ajna and Sahasrara. The life force raises through this chakras to merge with the ultra cool cosmic mind at the top most level, Sahasrara. The interesting thing to observe is Lord Shiva is called "Soma Suriya Agni Lochana" which Means that Sun is also part of Him. If we closely observe the statue, Along with the moon, Sun is also seen to it's side. This signifies that the Life force raises through all the levels and after attaining intelligence, the truth shines as wisdom. Yet with the wisdom he has obtained, Lord Shiva is cool and composed signified by the Crescent in the statue. A complete attainment of Total wisdom, calmness and peace and that is Shiva. If one can retain that 24*7, 365 days all through their life, then that One is Sada Shiva. [Meaning: Always Shiva] That state of Sada Shiva is represented by the Five headed snake with it's hood over the head protecting and retaining the peace. It signifies existence as a equilibrium.
[Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakra]
*) On the whole, Statue represents Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Space, Mind, Intelligence and Ego. The less and subtle truth that is left out is Brahman. An All-pervading, Pervading all entity that gives us every moment with the hope that we will stop running, stand and wonder at its grandeur. To put it in Einstein's words, "The only incomprehensible thing about the universe is it is comprehensible". The Ring outside the statue represents this ultimate truth that our rationality, science, logic is all confined to this space and time created at the beginning. All will come to an end, and will merge into the ultimate reality of Brahman outside the scope of time and space. And all this goes on in a cycle. It has to be accepted. Myth or reality, the key lies in acceptance.
With this knowledge, let us all strive hard towards peace and prosperity of one and all. All the world is one and with the global good as the fundamental goal, let our efforts bring us success and victory.
Notes:
There are several references to the Cosmic dance of Nataraja and it is said that Lord Shiva danced his Rudra Thandav in five places. I come from a place called Tenkasi/Courtallam, where Lord Shiva has said to have danced in the Chithira Sabhai. I comprehend this myth as places from where the ancient Seers and Vedic Rishis realized the subtle balance in this Universe. In this Context, Chidambaram is considered as the Center of the Universe and has a grand temple for Lord Shiva with "All-Pervading" Space as its' closely guarded Secret.
And May be, it is appropriate that Lord Nataraja Statue was unveiled at CERN when the contemporary scientists comprehended this Cosmic balance!! Indeed Surprising! At last, we realize the truth is beyond equations and Truth manifests love and care for humanity. Om Tat Sat.
Other Links:
http://karthickhariharan.blogspot.com/2011/09/being-siva.html
http://karthickhariharan.blogspot.com/2011/11/understanding-understanding-myth-and.html
Reference Book:
Relevance of Indian Philosophy to Modern Mankind by R.VijayaRaghavan.
*) The left hand holds Fire
*) The holy river Ganges on the head represents Water
*) The right foot firmly standing represents Earth
*) The raised left foot with a lifted toe [ observe the big toe closely ] represents entry of "prana". The only scientific reason I can think of is; In the brain, there are maps on the outer surface which corresponds to various organs of the body. [Reference: Phantoms in the Brain by VS Ramachandran]. The reproductive organ's map is at the very front of the lobe and just adjacent to it, we have the map for our foot. The same concept applies to all genders. So, It is an aesthetic way of representing the creation of life through reproductive organs.
*) The raised palm of the right hand represents protection. Hence, the imperative to be sincere and devoted towards the truth.
*) The downward looking palm signifies the final deluge. Every thing ends as ash to be washed away in water. Irrespective of what we are and what we do, we are reduced to that final form. So, we better be good while we are here. I often think being good and being right can not be two different things. Both has to be one and the same. What is right is what that is good.
*) The crescent moon represents the Cosmic Mind.
*) The serpent represents the Life force, Kundalini Shakthi which is dormant in our first level of our subtle body. There are seven planes through which this force can rise through. The seven planes are Mooladhara, Svadishtana, Manipuraga, Anahata, Vishuddhi, Ajna and Sahasrara. The life force raises through this chakras to merge with the ultra cool cosmic mind at the top most level, Sahasrara. The interesting thing to observe is Lord Shiva is called "Soma Suriya Agni Lochana" which Means that Sun is also part of Him. If we closely observe the statue, Along with the moon, Sun is also seen to it's side. This signifies that the Life force raises through all the levels and after attaining intelligence, the truth shines as wisdom. Yet with the wisdom he has obtained, Lord Shiva is cool and composed signified by the Crescent in the statue. A complete attainment of Total wisdom, calmness and peace and that is Shiva. If one can retain that 24*7, 365 days all through their life, then that One is Sada Shiva. [Meaning: Always Shiva] That state of Sada Shiva is represented by the Five headed snake with it's hood over the head protecting and retaining the peace. It signifies existence as a equilibrium.
[Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakra]
*) On the whole, Statue represents Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Space, Mind, Intelligence and Ego. The less and subtle truth that is left out is Brahman. An All-pervading, Pervading all entity that gives us every moment with the hope that we will stop running, stand and wonder at its grandeur. To put it in Einstein's words, "The only incomprehensible thing about the universe is it is comprehensible". The Ring outside the statue represents this ultimate truth that our rationality, science, logic is all confined to this space and time created at the beginning. All will come to an end, and will merge into the ultimate reality of Brahman outside the scope of time and space. And all this goes on in a cycle. It has to be accepted. Myth or reality, the key lies in acceptance.
With this knowledge, let us all strive hard towards peace and prosperity of one and all. All the world is one and with the global good as the fundamental goal, let our efforts bring us success and victory.
Notes:
There are several references to the Cosmic dance of Nataraja and it is said that Lord Shiva danced his Rudra Thandav in five places. I come from a place called Tenkasi/Courtallam, where Lord Shiva has said to have danced in the Chithira Sabhai. I comprehend this myth as places from where the ancient Seers and Vedic Rishis realized the subtle balance in this Universe. In this Context, Chidambaram is considered as the Center of the Universe and has a grand temple for Lord Shiva with "All-Pervading" Space as its' closely guarded Secret.
And May be, it is appropriate that Lord Nataraja Statue was unveiled at CERN when the contemporary scientists comprehended this Cosmic balance!! Indeed Surprising! At last, we realize the truth is beyond equations and Truth manifests love and care for humanity. Om Tat Sat.
Other Links:
http://karthickhariharan.blogspot.com/2011/09/being-siva.html
http://karthickhariharan.blogspot.com/2011/11/understanding-understanding-myth-and.html
Reference Book:
Relevance of Indian Philosophy to Modern Mankind by R.VijayaRaghavan.
