SHIVA TEMPLES
AT
PANCHABOOTHA ELEMENTS
Lord Shiva and Shakti representing
the equally balanced opposing energies of the Divine, dance their cosmic Ananda
Tandava leading to the creation of the Pancha Maha Bhutas and the entire
manifest universe. Each of the elements is introduced through different rhythms
and Ragas with its respective Mandala.
Pritvi – Earth –
Kanchipuram
The scene opens with a
depiction of the four petals of the Mooladhara chakra opening in synchrony with
the sound of the Bhija Mantra Lang. The slow and graceful movements of the
dancers combined with the notes of Raga Revathy and the Chathusra Jaathi rhythm
create a stable and steady ambience of the Earth element that is related to
Kanchipuram and Thiruvaroor in South India. The story of goddess Kamakshi
worshiping Lord Shiva at Kanchipuram by creating a lingam out of the mud
(Pritvi Lingam) under the great mango tree that has four branches with each
having fruit of different taste as well as the celestial marriage of Goddess
Kamakshi with Lord Shiva is depicted in this scene. Sowing seeds on earth gives
us great joy as the trees grow, flower and finally yield the fruits of our
labor. The nurturing nature of mother earth is depicted by the folk dances who
praise the earth and depict growth in the plant kingdom. They also show the joy
of harvesting grains that have been carefully cultivated on the fertile earth.
Yet, the earth also has a dangerous side and the earthquakes that threaten the
very existence of humankind are a standing testimony of the violence that
occurs when man misuses nature. Only the prayer to the divine can save us in
the time of such catastrophe.
Apas - Water- Thiruaanaikka
Apas,the water element has
great fluidity and is related to the story of Goddess Pravathi creating a
lingam out of water (Appulingam) at Thiruaanaikka after she had been banished
to earth by Lord Shiva for mocking his Yoga Sadhana. Legend has it that a great
herd of elephants lived at Thiruaanaika and that the lingam was worshipped by
an elephant that used to offer water from the Cauvery river (Amritalingam) as
well as flowers and fruits from the Jambu tree (Jambulingam). The introductory
depiction of the six petals of the Swadhisthana Chakra opening in synchrony
with the sound of the Bhija Mantra Vang and the graceful movements of the
dancers to the notes of Raga Amruthavarshini in the Thisra Nadai enable us to
enjoy the flow of the water element. Water may be a spring, a stream, a river
or even the mighty ocean and the movement of the tides with the phase of the
moon is also shown. A turbulent storm can frighten even the sturdiest sailor
and the fury of nature in the form of a hailstorm and flood is depicted using
the Thanam music. Modern man has cut down rain forests and ended up with
parched riverbeds. A village elder is seen advising the community to prevent
the drying up of life by cultivating and maintaining the great forests to
attract rainfall for the benefit of humankind.
Tejas - Fire – Thiruvannamalai
Fire is the element
related to the third Chakra, Manipura and the red triangle that symbolizes
creativity and energy is the Mandala of this Chakra and this has a correlation
with Bharatanatyam where the basic shape of the body used is that of the
triangle. The ten petals of this Chakra are depicted opening to great energy
that is there in the Bhija Mantra Rung associated with this Chakra. The dancers
depict the motivating force of geothermal energy with energetic movements set
to the Raga Aaberi and Kanda Nadai while the story of Brahma and Vishnu trying
to find the origin and end of Lord Shiva who manifested as a column of fire at
Thiruvannamalai is depicted. A graceful folk dance using earthen lamps is used
to illustrate the grand festival of Karthigai Deepam that is celebrated by
lakhs of devotees at Thiruvannamalai every year in November-December.
Vayu - Air- Kala Hasti
Twelve petals of the
Anahatha Chakra open with the Bhija Mantra Yang as the graceful, caressing
movement of air is depicted by dancers in the Raga Mohanam and Misra Nadai set
to the music of a flute. Their movements bring out the spirit of being young at
heart that is the quality of this Chakra. The fast paced movements with several
dramatic rotations also bring out the spirit of the whirlwind that can sweep us
off our feet. The Divine is present as Prana in the very air we breathe and the
wonderful drops of rain from the laden dark clouds. The shape of the Chakra, a
six sided hexagon formed by two interlaced triangles is artistically depicted by
the dancers in this item through intricate teamwork. Lord Shiva blessed the
tribal Kannappa Nayanmar at the Sri Kala Hasti Stalam that is known as the
Southern Kailash after the great devotee had proved his exemplary Bhakti by
gifting his very eyes to Lord Shiva. Village folk sing and dance praising the
benefits of pure air and the need of keeping it pollution free in order to keep
the God of Death far away.
Akasha- Space –Chidambaram
Space that element of Nature
with neither beginning nor end is awesome in nature and 16 petals of the
Vishudda Chakra open to the Bhija sound Hung. The dancers using the complicated
Sangeerana Nadai rhythm in the lilting Raga of Hamsanandi create a feeling of
ether and space. The Chit or consciousness is the embodiment of space and the
temple of consciousness is Chidambaram, the temple of the mind. By singing the
praises of Lord Shiva we rid ourself of all fears. The compassionate Lord of
Thillai even moved his Vahana Nandi upon the request of his great devotee
Nandanar. The universe is nothing but vibration and this is visualized through
the dance of Lord Shiva that is witnessed by all planets. Shiva wears the tiger
skin and has cobras as his ornaments. He wears the crescent moon in his locks
and dances with the fire and deer in his hands. He tears up the rouge elephant
as well as controls the adamant ego principle that is manifested as the
Muyalagan under his dancing feet.
