Why Shiva killed Apasmara?

Killing Apasmāra would symbolise the attainment of knowledge without the (essential) effort, dedication and hard work involved, and this would lead to the devaluing of knowledge in all its forms.

Who is Shiva standing on?

In the most common type of image, Shiva is shown with four arms and flying locks dancing on the figure of a dwarf, who is sometimes identified as Apasmara (a symbol of human ignorance; apasmara means “forgetfulness” or “heedlessness”).

Who is Shiva stepping on?

Who is beneath Natraj?

Apasmāra, clutching a cobra and trampled beneath the foot of Nataraja (= Shiva as Lord of the Dance).

What is the significance of apasmāra in Hinduism?

According to Hindu mythology, Apasmāra is a dwarf who represents spiritual ignorance and nonsensical speech. He is also known as Muyalaka or Muyalakan. To preserve knowledge in the world, Apasmāra must be subdued, not killed, as to do so would disturb the necessary balance between spiritual knowledge and ignorance.

Who is Apasmara Purusha in Mahabharata?

Apasmara Purusha has the face of a demon and body of an infant. He is crushed by the right foot of Nataraja. The word Apasmara means forgetfulness and symbolizes the ignorance that makes us lose our balance and consciousness and run after sensuous things.

Is apasmara a neurological disorder?

Apasmāra is also a neurological disorder described in Āyurveda, known as epilepsy According to Maharṣi Caraka, there are 4 types of apasmāra. Smaranam is utterances. Apasmara may mean non-sensual or unintelligible or gibberish speech. May or may not be a Neurological disorder.

How did Lord Shiva subdue Apasmāra?

To subdue Apasmāra, Lord Shiva adopted the form of Śrī Naṭarāja – the Lord of Dance and performed the cosmic dance of Tāṇḍava. During this dance, Śrī Naṭarāja suppressed Apasmāra by crushing him with his right foot.