Shiva Nataraja Shiva - Lord of the Dance The Dance of Shiva is the movement of the Cosmos itself. Shiva is that aspect of the Godhead which brings all things to their completion and appointed end, so that new beginnings may be made. Encircled by infinite energy, He whirls entranced in the Cosmic Dance. His upraised right hand forms the ritual gesture meaning "Fear Not" and His left hand completes the phrase: "For I am here." He holds the drum with which he keeps the rhythm of the Cosmic Dance, and which he will use to awaken Brahma (The Creator) from His Long Dream (that which we call "the Universe") to create the Universe anew. He also holds the flame of eternity, with which the universe was created, and with which it will be destroyed so that the next universe may be created. Poser 4, Bryce 4, Photopaint 7 Minimal Postwork [1 artifact fix & signature] This is a rework of my original version of this picture posted last year. Certain iconic mistakes have been pointed out to me by a Hindu friend, so I fixed them and like the newer version enough to replace the old one. I chose not to show the usual "demon of ignorance" being trampled underfoot, though that is traditional.