The poem Nataraja by RK is composed in a neat way, and almost all the essence of the image of Nataraja is depicted. 

One needs to look at the image carefully. Nataraja, a form of Lord Shiva, is represented as a cosmic dancer, gracefully executing the dance of creation, preservation, and annihilation. The figure of Nataraja signifies the endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

In the image, he is represented with several limbs and legs, dancing around a circle of fire, representing the cosmos. 

A raised leg indicates liberty; another is planted on a demon, representing ignorance and ego. 

He has different items in his hands, such as a drum (creation), fire (destruction), and a gesture of comfort (protection). Nataraja represents the equilibrium of the cosmos, the balance between the material and spiritual realms, and the endless cosmic dance that controls all things—a strong and iconic depiction of our philosophy and spirituality.

Life’s cosmic play continues
with eternity in motion
Nataraja creates and pervades
there should be no confusion

The expression in the poem indicates that life is a big cosmic theatre, continually in motion, with eternity as its backdrop. It underlines that Nataraja, as the cosmic dancer, not only creates the cosmos but also penetrates it thoroughly. This suggests that there should be no confusion or distinction between the creator (Nataraja) and the creation (the dance of life).

Solving the riddle, the preceptor
shook me up from the trance
Revealing that none can separate
the dancer from the dance

The second part relates a personal experience when the poet awakening from a state of trance by a spiritual insight which revealed a conundrum, demonstrating that the dancer (Nataraja) and the dance (the cosmic theatre of life) are linked. This highlights the concept that divine presence is inherent in every part of creation, and one should not consider them distinct and separate things.

The verse expresses the idea of the interconnectedness between the creator and the creation, impressing upon it the idea of oneness and harmony in the cosmic dance of life, culminating in a knowledge of the divine presence in all parts of reality.

One thing that I would like to appreciate is that while the image also talks about destruction and annihilation, the poem by RK does not include that negation. It does not contain doom. Very well written.

Image (c) istock.com 

Work cited: Nataraja by RK