{"responseHeader":{"status":0,"QTime":3,"params":{"q":"{!q.op=AND}id:\"1376467\"","hl":"true","hl.simple.post":"","hl.fragsize":"5000","fq":"!embargo_tdt:[NOW TO *]","hl.fl":"ocr_t","hl.method":"unified","wt":"json","hl.simple.pre":""}},"response":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"docs":[{"modified_tdt":"2018-10-16T15:57:59Z","thumb_s":"/df/be/dfbebc850908dfd1f9da861e668269fc51ff8081.jpg","setname_s":"ir_docent","file_s":"/92/3e/923ebbba1defc3547518788af16db238becbbcb7.pdf","restricted_i":0,"title_t":"Page 123","ocr_t":"~ j a is a visual sermon expounding the ~ v ~~-;;~sion and power of the god. =, One of the great artistic achievement of southern India is represented in the bronze images of Hindu deities, which are among the finest Indian sculptures ever produced. Cast in the \"cire perdue\", or lost-wax process, they are masterpieces of the metalworkers craft and exemplify Hindu art at its best. Those made under the Chola dynasty between the tenth and thirteenth centuries are considered outstanding, with powetful representation of Shiva as Nataraja, the Lord of Dance, symbolizing the entire drama of the cosmos. Shiva is depicted in the cosmic dance of creating and destroying the universe. His hair flies out wildly as he dances, transfixed by the rhythm of the small hour-glass drum held in his upper right hand. The rhythm represents the heart-beat sound of the cosmos (maya) which comes into being through the beneficent action of the creative dance. The cosmos is represented as the ring encircling the deity, which springs from the fertile mouths of the makaras on the sculpture's base. Complementing this moment of creation is the simultaneous destruction of the cosmos symbolized by the '·==* . flames edging the circle and the single flame held in the god's left hand. The ' lower right hand offers solace to his devotees by petforming the reassuring abhaya mudra of benediction. The blessing is further affirmed by the lower left hand's pose of gaja hasta. The \"flag\" position of the hand is formed by dropping the fingers into an imitation of an elephant's trunk, which here points to the left foot as it springs from the back of the dwarf who symbolizes ignorance. if If~ i ~ymbolic pose promises the devotee release ~v fr~; -the sufferings of maya, while the right foot crushes, with the full force of the dance, the back of the dwarf. A poisonous cobra is held by the dwatf, but the same deadly serpent is worn as an ornament over Shiva's blessing right ann. Other details which are part of the image of Shiva as Nataraja are the skull caught in the deity's hair. The crescent moon symbolizes Shiva's omnipresence in the universe. In his hair which is matted with the ashes of the dead is a small image of the goddess, Ganga, who came to earth in the form of Ganges river. According to the myth the holy ascetic, Bhagiratha, petformed great acts of austerity for a thousand years in order to persuade th~ gods to allow the heavenly river Ganges to flow down to earth where it would bless man. When his request was finally granted, the gods feared that the impact of the falling water might destroy the earth. Shiva consented to receive the shock of the river on his own head. For eons the river wandered through his matted labyrinthine hair, eventually meandering gently out upon the ground. You can see the small image of Ganga in the upper right. Shiva's attributes are his blue throat, five faces, four arms and three eyes. This third eye is a weapon he can use to destroy his enemies. His other weapons are a trident [pinaka] which is a lightning symbol and characterizes Shiva as god of storms, a sword, a bow [ajagava] and a club with a skull at the end [khatwanga]. He also has three serpents; one coiled in his hair, o~ about his neck and one forming his sacred threads which serve as additional weapons. As judge and stem upholder of righteousness he carries an hourglass, drum and a rope to bind sinners.","id":1376467,"created_tdt":"2018-10-16T15:57:59Z","format_t":"application/pdf","parent_i":1376344,"_version_":1664094689040531458}]},"highlighting":{"1376467":{"ocr_t":[]}}}