This bronze figure balances on one foot dancing. His hair flies out to either side in the fury of his dance. This is a sculpture of the Hindu God Shiva. Shiva is also known as Nataraja, Lord of the Dance, because he dances as he destroys, then recreates the universe. How many arms does he have? His four arms are a sign of his divine power. On the left, his upper hand holds an object shaped like an hourglass.

Shiva plays this hand drum as he dances. What sound do you imagine the drum made? Something like this? (Drum Being Played) In Hindu beliefs, Shiva's drum beat is the first sound heard when Shiva creates the world. Now look on the right at Shiva's upper hand. What's he holding? It's fire, the flame of destruction. Shiva both creates and destroys. His lower right hand points to his raised foot. This gesture promises salvation to those who believe in him. Notice the tiny demon under Shiva's foot. This demon represents ignorance which causes all suffering. Only those who become enlightened can hope to escape the endless cycle of birth and rebirth and become one with the eternal.