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The Dance of Siva David Smith (Lancaster University)

The Dance of Siva By David Smith (Lancaster University)

The Dance of Siva by David Smith (Lancaster University)


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Summary

Complete account of Siva's Dance of Bliss, which is based on a Sanskrit poem written by Umapati Sivacarya about 1300 AD. It deals with the famous Chola Nataraja bronze - the best-known Hindu image - the key location of Siva's Dance in south India, and the temple of Cidambaram. With thirty illustrations.

The Dance of Siva Summary

The Dance of Siva: Religion, Art and Poetry in South India by David Smith (Lancaster University)

This is a full account of Siva's Dance of Bliss, which has become a popular symbol in the West for Hinduism and Eastern Mysticism. Siva is one of the two main gods of Hinduism, and his worshippers comprise half of all Hindus. Siva's Dance of Bliss is based on a remarkable Sanskrit poem written by Umapati Sivacarya, Saiva theologian and temple priest in Cidambaram, South India, in the fourteenth century. Starting with the bronze image of Nataraja, King of Dancers, thereafter the Cidambaram temple, its myth and its priests are viewed in the light of the poem. Umapati's Saiva theology is discussed in relation to his life and also in relation to Vedanta and yoga. The iconography and mythology of the Goddess and of other forms of Siva provide necessary perspective. Art from Cidambaram and neighbouring sites illuminates the text.

The Dance of Siva Reviews

'... a complete and comprehensive account of the hallowed Chidambaram temple ... a veritable store-house of information ... The amount of solid research that has gone into this volume is amazing.' Journal of the Institute of Asian Studies

Table of Contents

List of illustrations; Acknowledgements; Introduction; 1. The Nataraja bronze; 2. The Cidambaram myth; 3. Temple, priests and ritual; 4. The Hall of Consciousness, the Heart of the Universe; 5. Saiva Siddhanta and Vedanta; 6. The Goddess; 7. Bhiksatana; 8. Bhairava the Terrible and other forms of Siva; 9. Saints, dancing girls, ganas and Apasmara; 10. Last words; Notes; Bibliography; Index and glossary.

Additional information

NLS9780521528658
9780521528658
0521528658
The Dance of Siva: Religion, Art and Poetry in South India by David Smith (Lancaster University)
New
Paperback
Cambridge University Press
2003-11-13
316
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
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