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Lord
Maheswar his own father too made rich recompense once, for
neglecting the worship due to this pot-bellied, short statured,
elephant headed, single tusked, rat-borne god. So stand in anjali
pose and offer mental worship with or without hymns. His physical
form according to sastras, is the representation of the premordial
sound AUM. Then comes the Sivalinga. This is the formless form
rupaarupa replica of the Highest Absolute Several ritualistic prayer
services are advocated for fulfilment of different kinds of desires.
Adherence to them is essential for frill benefit, but the priest -
the mediator between the adorer and adored must be of a pious type,
well versed in his duties. Receiving prasad and adoring the
forehead with ash marks, you should make exit to worship Nataraja
invariably. Every Siva temple contains a bronze image of
Nataraja, invariably. Every Siva temple contains a bronze
image of Nataraja, the symbolic representation of Siva, who
discharges five fold functions for the deliverance of the souls from
earthly pasas - bonds. Agamas are replete with elucidation of
this Nataraja's panchakritya dance. The five functions -
creation, preservation, dissolution, obscuration and benefaction of
grace are symbolised respectively by sounding of the drum; holding
of the arm even; holding of fire pot in left hand; planting of
right foot on ignorance and lifting of left foot. It is the
visual portrayal of the Saiva philosophy. It has another
august name Panchaksha dance - symbolic of the Panchakshara mantra -
NAMASIVAYA. Accordingly, the drum stands for the removal of
maya; the fire for burning of Karma; planted right foot
for removal of anava mala - ignorance, benedictory hand for
conferment of bliss to the liberated soul. So he merits
obeisance.
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