Dancing with Śiva

Supported by whose protection Heaven and Earth, shining brightly and inspired in their spirit, manifest this glory, with whose effulgence does the risen sun shine forth? To whom else, besides that giver of happiness, can we offer all our devotion?§

Ṛig Veda 10.121.6. RVP, 4615§

Let us now invoke for our aid the Lord of Speech, the Designer of all things that are, the inspirer of wisdom! May He, the ever-kindly, be well disposed to our summons, and may He, whose work is goodness, grant us His blessing!§

Ṛig Veda 10.81.7. VE, 808§

The gift of wealth and victory in deeds, sweetest of garlands, honor and fame, too, love and esteem are His bounties—so even devas adore the elephant-faced One, in devotion sweet with cooped hands.§

Tirumurai 11 (Kapiladeva). AG, 159§

Wherever I hear the sound of drums, the music of hymns, the Vedas chanted, there my heart remembers God our Master, the Lord who dwells in Itaimarutu.§

Tirumurai 5.129.1. PS, 180§

The Lord of Citticcaram shrine in Naraiyur, who has the river in His hair, the poison stain on His throat and the Veda on His tongue, goes resplendent in ceremonial dress as His devotees and perfected sages sing and dance His widespread fame, and the sound of festival drums beaten on the streets, where the temple car is pulled, spreads on every side.§

Tirumurai 1.71.5. PS, 183§

Pumpavai, O beautiful girl! Would you go without having seen, on the streets of great Mayilai, always busy with festive crowds, the festival of Uttarāphalgunī with its great sound of celebration, at which beautiful women sing and distribute alms, at the Lord’s Kapaliccaram shrine, center of many festivals?§

Tirumurai 2.183.7. PS, 188§

As the blare of the moon-white conch, the parai drum’s beat and the jingle of the cymbals of dancing devotees spread everywhere, peacocks, thinking that the rains have come, dance in delight. Such is the splendor of Ārdrā day in Arur town!§

Tirumurai 4.21.5. PS, 185§

You took for your shrine the good temple at Itaimarutu where, for the blessing of the world, scholars praise you with the Vedic chant, and great seers and Gods gather to bathe on the day of the Pusam festival in the month of Tai.§

Tirumurai 2.192.5. PS, 183§

Folk from far and near, good men and rogues and those who pray every day for an end to disease—our Lord of Arur is kinsman to all those who cry, “O my jewel, golden one, dear husband! My son!” Such is the splendor of Ārdrā day in Arur town!§

Tirumurai 4.21.2. PS, 184§

Hail! Śaṅkara, Dispenser of Bliss! Hail! The oldest in Śivaloka! Hail! Our youngest youth appearing to extricate us from affliction! Hail! Matchless One! Hail! The Lord of devas! Hail!§

Tirumurai 8. TT, 151§

By drinking the water after washing the holy feet of the guru and sprinkling the remains on the head, man attains the fruit of bathing in all the sacred waters of all sacred rivers and of all pilgrimages.§

Guru Gītā 29. GG, 10§

I’ll wreathe Him in garland. I’ll hug Him to heart. I’ll sing Him His name and dance with gifts of flowers. Singing and dancing, seek the Lord. This alone I know.§

Tirumantiram 50. TM§

The golden emblems of Śiva and the smear of holy ashes are apt insignia of the Śaiva path. This path of jñāna is San Mārga, which no evil can obstruct. It is the beloved way of Śuddha Śaivam. The blemishless jñānī is king of the entire realm of wisdom. He is the sun whose beams illumine the massive lore of Vedānta-Siddhānta. He remains immortal, ever devoted to the Śuddha Śaiva way.§

Tirumantiram 1427-1428. TMR, 221§

Why think and suffer further for the insubstantial body, that is transient as a dew drop on a blade of grass? While on this Earth, extol with love the holy feet of Him who has six faces.§

Natchintanai, “Give Praise…” NT, 199§