From Ignorance to Enlightenment

TheSiva as a cosmic dancer, Nataraja, is often depicted with four arms and flying locks dancing on the figure of a dwarf, who is identified as Apasmara. Apasmara is considered as a symbol of human ignorance and laziness.
The story of Apasmara as narrated in the Skanda Purana, is also found in the Sthala Puranam of Chidambaram temple. In the deodar forests the rishis had become arrogant with power gained through arduous worship and rituals. They were wreaking havoc with their drunken pride. Siva decided to go and resolve this issue. He went as a handsome Bhikshatana (mendicant) and took Vishnu along in the form of Mohini. The rishis were smitten by Mohini’s beauty and the wives of the rishis were enchanted by the Bhikshatana. Once the rishis realized the true identity of both, they were extremely angry and performed a yagna from which rose creatures to fight Lord Siva: a serpent, tiger, a lion and a dwarf demon Apasmara. Siva faced, fought and killed the other three creatures but Apasmara was one of those rare demons who had been bestowed with unconditional immortality. Siva danced with frenzy and fervour and brought Apasmara under his right foot and at the same time, swung his left foot up in the air. His left palm points at the raised foot and not at the foot at the bottom over the demon. Although Apasmara is referred to as a dwarf, he actually has the body of a child, reflecting his immaturity and small-mindedness. Siva wanted to vanquish him but realised that to maintain balance he shouldn’t kill him. In a world without ignorance, all knowledge would come to everyone without effort and so would become valueless. Instead, he decided to keep him crushed under one foot while joyfully dancing. Apasmara is immortal, but he can be kept in check. In Ayurvedic texts epilepsy is defined as Apasmara: apa, meaning negation or loss of; smara, meaning recollection or consciousness
Nataraja is within us, holding down our Apasmara, the embodiment of ignorance.
Our ignorance can be vanquished when we recognize and merge with the divine within us.
The First Photo from Gangaikondacholapuram depicts dancing Siva with Apasmara under his foot.
The Second Photo is that of a section of a mural in Sivakamasundari shrine at Chidambaram.
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