At first I thought he was a woman

His expression was full of grace and beauty. He didn’t look like a person. He had more than two arms.

Little man – great attention

I had seen him several times before – in the yoga studio, on a poster. I didn’t pay much attention to him there. After I saw him in an Indian restaurant – very small – on a shelf, I puzzled. I was desperate to learn more about him. Who is he? Why is he standing there?

He’s a dancer by profession

Since he has lived on earth, he has been dancing a so-called cosmic dance. It is said that this is the dance of creation, destruction and re-creation of the universe. His name is Nataraja and he is married. Together with his wife Parvati he moved from heaven to earth to teach the earthlings something.

Arriving on Earth, he fought a battle

In various fights Nataraja
dealt
with the Rhisis – as the inhabitants of the
earth called
themselves
at that time. He was supported by his wife,
the goddess of ecstasy
.
It – this is in its nature – provided for great desires among
the earthlings
.
The Rhisis, who, unlike the humans, were masters of magic, fought him.

But at the end of all the disputes they acknowledged his greatness and bowed down. He left them his messages.

A legend whose lessons are still valid today

The inhabitants of the earth are to control their lust and their anger. Both emotions are still drivers of violence. They are often followed by destruction and suffering. Carefully controlling these sensations almost seems to be a guarantee for peace.

Further lessons

People shouldn’t talk bad about each other. How much controversy in the history of the world would probably not have occurred if this had been observed?

The most important message

In this legend ignorance and ignorance appears as a demon. The worst vice of all is to do something against one’s better judgment. Then, when you can know something, but you don’t want to know it – you take the blame. You are hopelessly addicted to this demon.

Even today it rages everywhere – the demon of ignorance

The ethics behind the legend are current. For example, the demand for careful treatment of oneself and others is present in many world religions. Confessions of faith are not per se a declaration of war on those who think differently. It is people who make believers the means of their war.

It is absurd that believing people let themselves be abused for this – and are willing to kill other people.

To fight a battle that you know is wrong – and ignore it. I don’t even want to know about his injustice! Yeah, that’s the worst demon! Someone who controls his desire and anger does not take part in any war.

The small sculpture of the dancer taught me how true these messages still are today.

With so much wisdom – maybe he was a woman after all?

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