Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram – Chit Sabha
The innermost sanctum of the temple, houses the grand
images of Shiva (Nataraja) and Parvati (Sivakami) in the Chit Sabha or Chit
Ambalam or the hall of consciousness, adjoining which is the Kanaka Sabha or
the Golden Hall, both these structures resting on a raised platform. The
innermost prakaram surrounds this holiest of shrines, and to the South West of
Nataraja, is the shrine of Govindaraja Perumal facing the East. The Chit Sabha,
the holiest shrine in the temple, is a wooden structure supported with wooden
pillars, with a hut shaped roof.
It is in this hall, that the images of Nataraja and
Sivakami are housed, in front of a set of two curtains, the inner (invisible)
one being red in color, the outer one being black in color. To the right of
Shiva, is the revered Chidambara Rahasya - or a representation of emptiness
garlanded with golden Vilva leaves. The curtain in front of the Chidambara Rahasya,
representing Shiva (and Parvati) in the formless form (Aroopam) is lifted
ceremoniously during worship services, with offerings of lamps.
The Chit Sabha houses the images of Ratna Sabhapati
(Nataraja of Ruby), the Spatika Lingam of Chandramouleeswarar, Swarnakarshana
Bhairavar, Mukhalingam etc. The roof was covered by gold. Spadika lingam is
kept in a box under the feet of Natarajar. Abishekam is usually conducted to
this Spadika lingam and Lingam is taken to Palliyarai after Artha Jaama Pooja.
Devotees have to climb steps to five stone steps covered in silver to worship
Lord. Hence Lord is also called as Kartralippadiyar.
The granite plinth of the shrine is called Parvatam,
because it does duty for Mount Kailasa in providing a support for Lord Shiva.
On all special occasions puja or worship is performed to this plinth. A unique
feature is that the structure of the actual Sabha is made of wood, which has so
far not been botanically classified. It is rectangular in form and here Shiva
is worshipped in his three aspects:
·
As Form – Nataraja; the Murti
or image of Shiva
·
As Formless – Form; The
crystal Linga called Chandramaulishvara
·
As Formless – The yantra;
which is the Akasha Linga
Nataraja
Shrine (Form):
A unique feature of this temple is the bejeweled image
of Lord Nataraja as the main deity. It depicts Lord Shiva as the master
of Koothu-Bharata
Natyam and is one of the few temples
where Lord Shiva is represented by an anthropomorphic murthi rather than the classic, aniconic Lingam. From the platform opposite the Chit Sabha one can see
the image of the Dancing Shiva, Nataraja, situated in the middle of the Sabha.
Shiva is facing south, unlike most other Hindu deities. This signifies he is
the Conqueror of Death, dispelling the fear of death for the humanity.
The Lord holds different things on his hands. The right
hand holds a Drum, which represents the origin of Sound (the Pranava Mantra Om)
Agni on a left hand symbolizes Jyoti or Aatman the Deer is symbolic of the
Mind, which keeps wandering or galloping the Cobra that adorning the Lords neck
represents the Kundalini Shakti the Crescent Moon on the matted Hair represents
Blissfulness of the Self, the Skull is symbolic of the Lords power of
Destruction and the flowing Ganga signifies Wisdom or the State of being Cool.
The three eyes of the Lord signify the Sun, Moon and Agni.
With one Foot, he is crushing Muyalagan, signifying the
wiping out of Illusion. The raised right Foot represents renunciation. At
Chidambaram, the dancer dominates, not the Linga as in other Shiva shrines. Another
notable point of this posture is that it is based on the six-point star.
Nataraja's head forms the topmost point of the star, while his spreading hair
and right hand form the upper side points. His drape and raised left leg form
the lower points, and his right leg that rests on the demon Muyalagan forms the
lowest point. Surrounding this is the arc of fire.
Significance of Ananda Tandava Posture:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Spatika
Lingam (Formless – Form):
The Chit Sabha houses a small Spatika (crystal) Linga
(Chandramoulisvara), believed to be a piece that fell from the crescent
adorning Lord Shiva's head and installed by Adi
Shankara. The Linga is associated with the
intangible fifth element, akasha (ether or space). The Crystal Linga, Chandramaulishvara
represents Shiva in Formless-Form. This Crystal Linga was formed from the
essence of the crescent moon in Shiva's matted hair, for the purpose of daily worship.
This Idol is taken from its place at the feet of the Nataraja six times a day,
and abishekam of holy ablution is performed to him in the hall called Kanaka
Sabha in front of the Chit Sabha.
Chidambara
Rahasya (Formless):
To the right of Sri Nataraja Shrine is the Chidambara Rahasya,
the abode of Akasha Linga. It is interesting to note that only a Prabha or Tiruvasi
(circular arch) and a Vel (spear) with a golden Vilva Maalai are worshipped.
This is one of the Pancha Bhootha Sthalas representing Akasha or Ether. This
shrine remains curtained. The five silver-plated steps leading to the shrine
represent the five mystic letters of the Panchakshara Mantra, Na-Ma-Si-Va-Ya.
It is said that the Lords dance is the same as the one he
performed for Patanjali and Vyakrapada. The significance of Shiva's dance is
three-fold first, it is a symbol of his rhythmic play as the source of all
movements within the cosmos, represented by the arch of Tiruvasi second, the
purpose of the dance is to release the countless souls of men from the snare of
illusion third, the place of the dance - Chidambaram, the centre of the
Universe - is within the heart.
Ratna
Sabha Pathi:
The Chit Sabha houses one more unique form of Shiva.
This is the Ratna Sabha Pathi, the Ruby Lord of the Sabha: a replica of the
Nataraja Murti in ruby form. This Murti appeared out of the fire of the
sacrifice in response to the devotion of the Deekshithars. Once a day, as part
of the 10.00 o'clock morning puja ritual, after the abishekam of the Crystal
Linga, abishekam is also performed to the Ruby Shiva. As conclusion of this
ceremony the Ruby Nataraja is placed on the edge of the Parvatam of the Kanaka
Sabha and Mangala Arati is offered. This is the burning of camphor on a special
plate which is shown both in front and behind the Ruby Nataraja. This brings
out the special quality of translucence of this Murti, creating a mystical
spectacle for the onlookers.
History
of Chit Sabha:
Nobody knows when the worship of Nataraja was established
here, or when the Cit Sabha was build. The original wooden structure is
doubtless the oldest structure in the temple complex, as the shrine of the
Moolasthana Linga is a later construction under the Chola Kings. The Sabha has
no features that could help to date it. It is unique and no other structure is
known like it anywhere else in Indian architecture. Analysis by the C 14 method
would be unreliable because it is known to have been regularly renovated during
the centuries. But the origins of the temple of Shiva Nataraja in Chidambaram
definitely lie back in prehistoric times.
According to the mythology the temple was first
constructed by a king called Shweta Varman. This king was healed of leprosy by
bathing in the sacred pond in the Thillai forest and witnessed the Cosmic
Dance. The first gilding of the roof of the Chit Sabha and the instituting of
the temple and the formal worship of the Nataraja are all attributed to this
King. The first historical references can be found in the Skanda Purana, especially
in the Suta Samhita part. Here Shanmukha, the six-faced son of Shiva and
Parvati, is described as worshipping his parents in Chidambaram, before going
to do battle with a demon called Surapadma. This text can be dated to the
second century BCE.
The Cit Sabha, Shiva's dance and Chidambaram are also
prominently mentioned in the Thirumanthiram of Tirumular, an important
religious and philosophical text in ancient Tamil, dating from the beginning of
the Christian era. A few centuries later the temple and its Lord are often
mentioned by poets of the Thevaram, especially Appar and Sambandar (7th
century) and by Manikkavacakar (8th century). The first historical kings to
claim having gilded the roof of the Cit Sabha are the Chola Aditya I (871-907)
and his son Parantaka I (907-955). By this time the temple had already become
important. The place where kings were crowned, and where they came to
worship and receive counsel. How the gilding of the roof was done is a
knowledge that was sadly lost with time. But it is without doubt one of the
great technical achievements of ancient times.
Ananda
Tandava Posture:
For brief details, please refer below link;
https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2018/10/nataraja-temple-chidambaram-ananda-tandava-posture.html