Chidambara Chidambara RahasyaRahasya

The Secrets of Natarajar The Secrets of Natarajar TempleTemple

ChidambaramChidambaram

Lord Shiva dances here in Chidambaram. Lord Shiva dances here in Chidambaram. Before we speak of the Dance , we will explore Before we speak of the Dance , we will explore the stage that is Chidambaram.the stage that is Chidambaram.

A temple is called ‘Kovil’ in Tamil. It literally A temple is called ‘Kovil’ in Tamil. It literally means( Ko- il) the abode of the Lord. means( Ko- il) the abode of the Lord. Whenever the mere name ‘kovil’ is mentioned, Whenever the mere name ‘kovil’ is mentioned, it specially means Chidambaram which is split it specially means Chidambaram which is split as Chit( gnana or wisdom) + Ambaram ( akasa as Chit( gnana or wisdom) + Ambaram ( akasa or space)or space)

Structure of a typical Siva Structure of a typical Siva TempleTemple

A classical Siva temple as per Agama rules will have A classical Siva temple as per Agama rules will have five prakaras or circuits each separated by walls one five prakaras or circuits each separated by walls one within the other. The outer prakaras will be open to the within the other. The outer prakaras will be open to the sky except the innermost one. The innermost one will sky except the innermost one. The innermost one will house the main deity as well as other deities. There will house the main deity as well as other deities. There will be a massive wooden or stone flag post exactly in line be a massive wooden or stone flag post exactly in line with the main deity. with the main deity.

The innermost prakara houses the sanctum sanctorum The innermost prakara houses the sanctum sanctorum ( karuvarai in Tamil). In it sits Shiva, the supreme Lord.( karuvarai in Tamil). In it sits Shiva, the supreme Lord.

Symbolism behind the structure Symbolism behind the structure of a Shiva Templeof a Shiva Temple

The temple is so constructed as to resemble the human body with all its The temple is so constructed as to resemble the human body with all its subtleties.subtleties.

The five walls encircling one another are the kosas ( sheaths) of human The five walls encircling one another are the kosas ( sheaths) of human existence . existence .

The outermost is the Annamaya kosa , symbolizing the material body.The outermost is the Annamaya kosa , symbolizing the material body.

The second is Pranamaya kosa , symbolizing the sheath of vital force or The second is Pranamaya kosa , symbolizing the sheath of vital force or prana.prana.

The third is Manomaya kosa, symbolizing the sheath of the thoughts, the The third is Manomaya kosa, symbolizing the sheath of the thoughts, the manamana

The fouth is the Vignyana maya kosa, symbolizing, the sheath of the intellectThe fouth is the Vignyana maya kosa, symbolizing, the sheath of the intellect

The fifth and innermost is the Ananda maya kosa, symbolizing the sheath of The fifth and innermost is the Ananda maya kosa, symbolizing the sheath of Bliss.Bliss.

Symbolism behind the structure Symbolism behind the structure of a Shiva Templeof a Shiva Temple

The sanctum which is in the prakara symbolizing the Ananda Maya Kosa The sanctum which is in the prakara symbolizing the Ananda Maya Kosa sheath , sheath ,

houses the lord, seated as the Jiva within us. It is to be noted that the houses the lord, seated as the Jiva within us. It is to be noted that the sanctum is an unlit space, just as if within the heart closed on all sides.sanctum is an unlit space, just as if within the heart closed on all sides.

The entry Gopuras are likened to the feet, as resembling a person who is The entry Gopuras are likened to the feet, as resembling a person who is

lying on the back with the toe up.lying on the back with the toe up.

The flag post depicts the sushumna nadi which raises from the Mooladhar The flag post depicts the sushumna nadi which raises from the Mooladhar (base of the spine ) to the sahasrar ( vertex in the head).(base of the spine ) to the sahasrar ( vertex in the head).

Some temples will have three prakarams. There they represent the stoola, Some temples will have three prakarams. There they represent the stoola, sukshma and karana sareeras (bodies) of a human being Some temples sukshma and karana sareeras (bodies) of a human being Some temples have only one and they represent all the fivehave only one and they represent all the five..

Chidambaram temple and its Chidambaram temple and its symbolism:symbolism:

Saint Thirumoolar, whose legend is intricately woven with Chidambaram, says in his thirumanthiram Saint Thirumoolar, whose legend is intricately woven with Chidambaram, says in his thirumanthiram

தி�ருமந்தி�ரம்தி�ருமந்தி�ரம் மா�னுடரா�க்கை�மா�னுடரா�க்கை� வடிவுவடிவு சி வலிங்�ம்சி வலிங்�ம்

மா�னுடரா�க்கை�மா�னுடரா�க்கை� வடிவு சி தம்பராம் வடிவு சி தம்பராம்மா�னுடரா�க்கை�மா�னுடரா�க்கை� வடிவு சித�சி வம் வடிவு சித�சி வம்

மா�னுடரா�க்கை�வடிவுத�ருக்கூத்தேத மா�னுடரா�க்கை�வடிவுத�ருக்கூத்தேத

Translation in English:Translation in English:

mAnudarAkkai vadivu sivalingammAnudarAkkai vadivu sivalingam mAnudarAkkai vadivu chidambarammAnudarAkkai vadivu chidambaram mAnudarAkkai vadivu sadAsivammAnudarAkkai vadivu sadAsivam mAnudarAkkai vadivu thirukkoothe mAnudarAkkai vadivu thirukkoothe

Meaning: “Sivalingam is of the form of the human body; So is Chidambaram ; So is Sadasivam ; And so is his Meaning: “Sivalingam is of the form of the human body; So is Chidambaram ; So is Sadasivam ; And so is his divine dance”.divine dance”.

The temple has the above five prakaras resembling the sheaths. The temple has the above five prakaras resembling the sheaths. Nataraja gives dharshan from the sanctum called Chit Sabha with a golden roof. Nataraja gives dharshan from the sanctum called Chit Sabha with a golden roof. The roof has 26,000 golden tiles (see picture), denoting the number of breaths of a person in a day. The roof has 26,000 golden tiles (see picture), denoting the number of breaths of a person in a day.

Chidambaram temple and its Chidambaram temple and its symbolism:symbolism:

These tiles are fixed to the wooden roof with the help of 72,000 nails depicting the number of These tiles are fixed to the wooden roof with the help of 72,000 nails depicting the number of nadis (the invisible ducts carrying energy to various parts of the body) nadis (the invisible ducts carrying energy to various parts of the body)

As the heart is to the left of the body, the sanctum in Chidambaram is also aligned slightly As the heart is to the left of the body, the sanctum in Chidambaram is also aligned slightly leftward. leftward.

On top of the Chit sabha roof, we find nine kalasas (made of copper) depicting the nine shaktis On top of the Chit sabha roof, we find nine kalasas (made of copper) depicting the nine shaktis (powers) (powers)

The roof has 64 cross wooden reapers denoting the 64 arts.The roof has 64 cross wooden reapers denoting the 64 arts. The artha mandapa has six pillars denoting the six shastras The artha mandapa has six pillars denoting the six shastras

The mantapa next to the artha mantapa has eighteen pillars symbolizing the eighteen The mantapa next to the artha mantapa has eighteen pillars symbolizing the eighteen puranas. puranas.

There are five steps leading to the Chit sabha from the Kanaka sabha depicting the five There are five steps leading to the Chit sabha from the Kanaka sabha depicting the five lettered Panchakshara mantra ( Na ma chi vA ya) lettered Panchakshara mantra ( Na ma chi vA ya)

The Chit sabha roof is supported by four pillars symbolic of the four Vedas. The Chit sabha roof is supported by four pillars symbolic of the four Vedas.

Symbolism of Nataraja Symbolism of Nataraja Swamy. Swamy.

Nataraja’s dance is said to indicate the Nataraja’s dance is said to indicate the five divine actsfive divine acts which are which are

Creation Creation . Nataraja dances with a small drum called damarukam in one of his. Nataraja dances with a small drum called damarukam in one of hisright hands. Easwra is nada brahmam. He is the origin of all sounds (nadam).This isright hands. Easwra is nada brahmam. He is the origin of all sounds (nadam).This isthe seed (vindu) from which the tree of the Universe emanated.the seed (vindu) from which the tree of the Universe emanated.

ProtectionProtection (Operation)- In another of the right hands, he shows the ‘Abhaya (Operation)- In another of the right hands, he shows the ‘AbhayaMudra’, meaning he is the kind protector Mudra’, meaning he is the kind protector

Destruction;Destruction; He has fire in one of his left hands , symbolizing destruction. He has fire in one of his left hands , symbolizing destruction.When everything is destroyed by fire, only the ash will remain which the Lord hasWhen everything is destroyed by fire, only the ash will remain which the Lord hassmeared on his bodysmeared on his body

The foot which is planted shows the act of hiding The foot which is planted shows the act of hiding

The raised foot shows the act of bestowing The raised foot shows the act of bestowing

Symbolism of Symbolism of Nataraja Swamy.Nataraja Swamy.

Nataraja swamy has the Vigraha ( icon) of Devi Sivakama Nataraja swamy has the Vigraha ( icon) of Devi Sivakama Sundari to his left . This symbolizes Ardhanareeswara , ‘ the Sundari to his left . This symbolizes Ardhanareeswara , ‘ the Lord who has the female as his left half’. To his right there is a Lord who has the female as his left half’. To his right there is a screen. When the deeparadhana – showing lamps takes place screen. When the deeparadhana – showing lamps takes place to the swamy and to the left side , the screen is removed and to the swamy and to the left side , the screen is removed and we see five vertical long hangings of golden vilva leaves. We we see five vertical long hangings of golden vilva leaves. We see nothing behind it. Sivakami shows the Saguna Brahman see nothing behind it. Sivakami shows the Saguna Brahman (the God with a form) that is Nataraja . The Saguna Brahman (the God with a form) that is Nataraja . The Saguna Brahman leads us to the Nirguna Brahman (the God without form or the leads us to the Nirguna Brahman (the God without form or the God who has formlessness as his form). This is told as God who has formlessness as his form). This is told as ‘Chidambara Rahasyam’ by the Dikshitars , who are the ‘Chidambara Rahasyam’ by the Dikshitars , who are the traditional pujaris in the temple.traditional pujaris in the temple.

Shiva’s dance is called the cosmic dance by many scholars. In Shiva’s dance is called the cosmic dance by many scholars. In Chidambaram, this dance is called ‘Ananda TandavaChidambaram, this dance is called ‘Ananda Tandava

Symbolism of Symbolism of Nataraja SwamyNataraja Swamy

Lord Maha Vishnu also saw the Divine dance. In a nearby mantapa Lord Maha Vishnu also saw the Divine dance. In a nearby mantapa called Chitrakoota, Maha Vishnu, gives us dharshan in his fully called Chitrakoota, Maha Vishnu, gives us dharshan in his fully reclining Yoga Nidra pose on the snake bed. If one stands on a small reclining Yoga Nidra pose on the snake bed. If one stands on a small lotus sculpted on the floor slab in front of Narayana, one can at the lotus sculpted on the floor slab in front of Narayana, one can at the same time see Nataraja in his right side.same time see Nataraja in his right side.

Sages Patanjali and Thirumoolar also saw Nataraja’s dance in Sages Patanjali and Thirumoolar also saw Nataraja’s dance in Chidambaram. Their figures are embossed on the Silver doors of the Chidambaram. Their figures are embossed on the Silver doors of the Chit Sabha.Chit Sabha.

I think you enjoyed reading the above. Nataraja Rahasyam is said to I think you enjoyed reading the above. Nataraja Rahasyam is said to have come to Tamilnadu from the Indus – Saraswati civilization. The have come to Tamilnadu from the Indus – Saraswati civilization. The Saiva Agamas, which teach tantric Saivism, reveal much more than the Saiva Agamas, which teach tantric Saivism, reveal much more than the above. Next time you visit Chidambaram, remember all this, and above. Next time you visit Chidambaram, remember all this, and worship Nataraja who will grant you release from the pains of the worship Nataraja who will grant you release from the pains of the worldly life and show you the path of Gnanaworldly life and show you the path of Gnana

The Lord is celebrated in The Lord is celebrated in all His manifestations all His manifestations

Chidambaram as Space- Chit means Consciousness and ambaram meansChidambaram as Space- Chit means Consciousness and ambaram meansclothing or covering or sky. One who is Consciousness and coversclothing or covering or sky. One who is Consciousness and coversSpace! Hence Lord Shiva is worshipped as Space, His manifestationSpace! Hence Lord Shiva is worshipped as Space, His manifestation

Air- Kalahasthi temple. Fire- ThiruvaNNamalai temple. Water-Air- Kalahasthi temple. Fire- ThiruvaNNamalai temple. Water-Thiruvaanaikkaval temple where Water flows on the Lingam constantlyThiruvaanaikkaval temple where Water flows on the Lingam constantlyPrithvi ( earth) Kanchi Ekambareeshwar temple- Lingam made of earth.Prithvi ( earth) Kanchi Ekambareeshwar temple- Lingam made of earth.

Thus all manifestations of His glory are celebrated.Thus all manifestations of His glory are celebrated.

Lay people do not know that Space itself is celebrated. There is aLay people do not know that Space itself is celebrated. There is agarland in space hanging. The priest shows aarthi towards space aftergarland in space hanging. The priest shows aarthi towards space afterpuja and asks: do you see the rahasyam ( secret)? People see justpuja and asks: do you see the rahasyam ( secret)? People see justspace and think it is nothing! And say yes and go away wondering whatspace and think it is nothing! And say yes and go away wondering whatthe priest asked!the priest asked!

That is chidhambara rahasyam! That is chidhambara rahasyam!