Nataraja, a victory over “Ignorance.”
Shiva is shown as dancing on an aureole of flames, lifting His left leg and balancing Himself of the demon Apasmara who is a symbol of ignorance.
The god holds in his upper right hand the damaru (that made the first sounds of creation). His upper left hand holds agni (the fire that will destroy the universe). With his lower right hand, he makes abhayamudra (the gesture that allays fear). The dwarflike figure being trampled by his right foot represents apasmara purusha (ignorance, illusion, which leads mankind astray). Shiva's front left hand, pointing to his raised left foot, signifies refuge for the troubled soul. The energy of his dance makes his hair fly to the sides.
