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SHIVA'S COSMIC DANCE AT CERN

European center for Nuclear Research

SHIVA'S COSMIC DANCE AT CERN

"The Wave Structure of Matter Explains the Atomic Structure
of Matter. The 'Particle' as the Wave-Center of a Spherical
Standing Wave in Space" explains the cosmic dance of
Nataraja."

"Modern physics has shown that the rhythm of creation and
destruction is not only manifest in the turn of the seasons
and in the birth and death of all living creatures, but is
also the very essence of inorganic matter," and that "For
the modern physicists, then, Shiva's dance is the dance of
subatomic matter." -Fritjof Capra in The Tao of Physics,
1975

Shiva's Cosmic Dance at CERN: On June 18, 2004, an unusual
new landmark was unveiled at CERN, the European Center for
Research in Particle Physics in Geneva -- a 2m tall statue
of the Indian deity Shiva Nataraja, the Lord of Dance. The
statue, symbolizing Shiva's cosmic dance of creation and
destruction, was given to CERN by the Indian government to
celebrate the research center's long association with
India.

In choosing the image of Shiva Nataraja, the Indian
government acknowledged the profound significance of the
metaphor of Shiva's dance for the cosmic dance of subatomic
particles, which is observed and analyzed by CERN's
physicists. The parallel between Shiva's dance and the
dance of subatomic particles was first discussed by Fritjof
Capra in an article titled "The Dance of Shiva: The Hindu
View of Matter in the Light of Modern Physics," published
in Main Currents in Modern Thought in 1972. Shiva's cosmic
dance then became a central metaphor in Capra's
international bestseller The Tao of Physics, first
published in 1975 and still in print with over 40 editions
and still going strong..

A special plaque next to the Shiva statue at CERN explains
the significance of the metaphor of Shiva's cosmic dance
with several quotations from The Tao of Physics. Here is
the text of the plaque:

Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy, seeing beyond the unsurpassed
rhythm, beauty, power and grace of the Nataraja, once wrote
of it "It is the clearest image of the activity of God
which any art or religion can boast of."

More recently, Fritjof Capra explained that "Modern physics
has shown that the rhythm of creation and destruction is
not only manifest in the turn of the seasons and in the
birth and death of all living creatures, but is also the
very essence of inorganic matter," and "for the modern
physicists, then, Shiva's dance is the dance of subatomic
matter."

It is indeed as Capra concluded: "Hundreds of years ago,
Indian artists created visual images of dancing Shiva's in
a beautiful series of bronzes. In our time, physicists have
used the most advanced technology to portray the patterns
of the cosmic dance. The metaphor of the cosmic dance thus
unifies ancient mythology, religious art and modern
physics."

Fritjof Capra explained that "Modern physics has shown that
the rhythm of creation and destruction is not only manifest
in the turn of the seasons and in the birth and death of
all living creatures, but is also the very essence of
inorganic matter," and that "For the modern physicists,
then, Shiva's dance is the dance of subatomic matter."

I have a copy of "Tao of Physics" written by Fritjof Capra
which i bought when I was about 18 years old in 1976.This
was an expensive book by any standard at that time and for
a student to get one in those days was a difficult venture.
Buying it was one thing, and to see Yoga and Hindu
Philosophy getting a Scientific Interpretation, in leading
research laboratories, in the west made it even more
attractive. It was a thrilling experience to practice yoga,
and to compare Yoga Philosophy with Physics with my friend
Anton was challenging. We discussed about mind and matter
and Yoga. To this day this Tao Of Physics remains one of
best books of its kind. Of course there were other books
written by authors of "Dancing Wei Lui Masters", and "Zen
and the Art of Motor Cycle Repair" etc.

In his Introduction Capra had narrated his experience while
gazing at the Pacific Ocean when his entire field of vision
disappeared and replaced by cosmic consciousness, which he
could identify and was later able to relate to Advaitha of
Hindu Philosophy of gaining cosmic vision. The book carried
the Nataraja's photo on the cover, which became
international hit and the particles of subatomic matter
moving in a gas chamber and a photograph of traces of their
movement superimposed on the image of Nataraja' s. For the
first time this made history for the philosophy of yoga and
principles of quantum physics were merged into seamless
realism.

"The Eastern mystics see the universe as an inseparable
web, whose interconnections are dynamic and not static. The
cosmic web is alive; it moves and grows and changes
continually. Modern physics, too, has come to conceive of
the universe as such a web of relations and, like Eastern
mysticism, has recognized that this web is intrinsically
dynamic. The dynamic aspect of matter arises in quantum
theory as a consequence of the wave-nature of subatomic
particles, and is even more essential in relativity theory,
where the unification of space and time implies that the
being of matter cannot be separated from its activity. The
properties of subatomic particles can therefore only be
understood in a dynamic context; in terms of movement,
interaction and transformation. " Fritjof Capra "The Tao of
Physics".

Though his ideas were revolutionary. I never thought that
nearly 30 years down the line I would be writing about him
for a paper what I have learnt about him To understand the
Hindu Concept of Cosmic Nataraja we have to understand the
Hindu Concept of dance itself. When it comes to natya the
greatest inimitable exponent, Balasaraswathy had stated
that Bharatnatyam is nothing but "Natya yoga". Bharat Natya
originated with Tapas and Nataraja himself is the supreme
teacher of Natya and codified by Bharatha Muni in his Natya
Sastra. Bharat Natya is the Supreme cultural Symbol of
Perfection in dance form. When the most revered cultural
symbol of Sikhs was threatened as happened some months ago
when the blue attire of their most revered Guru Govind
Singh was copied by Dera Sacha Sauda founder Baba Ram Rahim
, the entire sikh community of Punjab and Haryana were
outraged . They came to streets, and the two states came to
a stand still. it was a war like situation. This incident
was an eye-opener, as to what the consequences will be if
religious sacred religious symbols and traditions of one
section of the population are misappropriated
illegitimately. I had sent this article to some friends for
their comments:

Prof Chakrapani from Maryland, USA, "I am back in India....
The article on "Quantum physics and the dance of Nataraja"
and the Shiva on CERN was a classic article. Many of us had
been to CERN you have exposed our ignorance and
indifference also by that article. Imagine if Jesus on
Cross-had been depicted in the reception of CERN, how much
the Christian Missionaries would take advantage of it? He
quipped why Hindus are blind to their own culture &
Heritage?

Whenever we hear the name 'Golden Temple', we tend to think
of the beautiful Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar. There is
another Golden Temple in South India - the great Nataraja
temple at Chidambaram in Tamilnadu that is associated with
the cosmic dance of Nataraja. These are sacred cultural and
religious symbols of Bharat and of great importance and
immense sacrifices have been made both Sikhs and Hindus
respectively to save and protect their holy symbols and
sacred places.

Definition Bharata Natyam (Noun): A Dance form from
Southern India, usually performed by one Dancer, and based
on Hindu mythology, in which the movements of the hands and
arms have an elaborate and stylized meanings. Sanskrit
Bharatanatya, Dance of Bharatha, reputed author of a famous
manual of drama and dance. (Encarta dictionary)

What Nataraja Symbolizes? "Nataraja" is a manifestation of
Shiva, assumed the Lord of Dance (Bharatanatyam) . The Koil
(temple) of Saivaites and the Head quarters of dancers is
the famous temple with the presence of Nataraja is in
Chidambaram Tamilnadu, India, where the lord himself danced
at the golden hall on the request of the sages Vyagrapaada
and Pataanjali. (Incidentally whose Samadhis have been
located in Thirupattur and renovated by my friend lawyer
Chandramouli) .

What Nataraja signifies? His body represents the sky. His
hands entreat the eight directions. His three eyes
symbolise the sun, moon and the eight directions. His smile
acts as the distraction of evil. His hair embodies wisdom.
His crescent moon shows enlightenment. His sacred thread
indicates philosophy. His garments are the Vedas. His
damaru is the creation of sound. His Abhayam (blessing hand
literally without fear) Signifies protection. His varada is
for liberation. His tiger skin acts to control anger. His
anklets direct to a good path. His serpent controls
jealousy. The deer signifies compassion. The body of dwarf
apasmara-purusha (the man of forgetfulness) who embodies
indifference, ignorance and sloth.

Dance in India is a form of Spiritual practice, with strict
austerities such as fasting, and meditation on Shiva and
above all Guru Bhakthi, which is still widely prevalent.
Shiva is the Supreme Yogi of the Gods, is the Lord of the
dance. Here Dancing is not seen as an art in the western
sense for one's own enjoyment and pleasure, but the Dancer
seeks to create oneness with the Lord of the Universe. The
same thought to evoke the oneness with the Cosmos as
Fritjof Capra Capra when he said in introduction to Tao of
Physics. "He (Nataraja) brought out the parallels in our
understanding of the Universe as a dynamic interconnected
unity". The word Brahman is derived from the Sanskrit root
brih - to grow- and thus suggests a reality, which is
dynamic and alive. The Upanishads refer to Brahman as 'this
unformed, immortal, moving', thus associating it with
motion even though it transcends all forms.

The Rig Veda uses another term to express the dynamic
character of the universe, the term Rita. This word comes
from the root ri - to move. In its phenomenal aspect, the
cosmic One is thus intrinsically dynamic, and the
apprehension of its dynamic nature is basic to all schools
of Eastern mysticism. They all emphasize that the universe
has to be grasped dynamically, as it moves, vibrates and
dances. Hence Fritjof Capra, on the cover of his book had
reproduced the photomontage of dancing Nataraja super
imposed on subatomic particles photographed in a chamber.
(In the present day editions this has been replaced with a
Yin and Yang symbol)

"Fritjof Capra is correct that matter can not be separated
from motion; the error of modern physics has been in the
conception of Motion as the motion of Matter ('subatomic
particles') rather than the wave motion of Space. Western
Physics (with its 'particles' and 'forces / fields' in
'Space Time') has never correctly understood the Eastern
worldview. It is also important to understand that the
ancient Indian philosophers did actually know how the
universe was a dynamic unity, what matter was, how the One
Thing / Brahman caused and connected the many things. Thus
Eastern philosophical knowledge is ultimately founded on
mysticism and intuition. Recent discoveries on the
properties of Space and the Wave Structure of Matter
(Wolff, Haselhurst) confirm that we can understand Reality
and the interconnection of all things from a
logical/scientific foundation."
http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Philosophy-FritjofCapra.htm#CapraQuotes...  

The One Thing / Brahman, (Space) has Properties (Wave-
Medium) that give rise to the many things (Matter as the
Spherical Wave Motions of Space) thus explaining the
universe as a dynamic, interconnected unity. If that being
the case, how can Semitic ideologies that sees difference
between the Creator and the Created, man and god, and
divides humanity into believers and non-believers, and that
seek to split, divide and destroy, can ever appropriate
Bharat Natyam?

Inculturation is a term used in Christian missiology
(mission Science) referring to the adaptation of the way
the Gospel is presented for the specific cultures being
evangelized (see: Wiki Pedia).

These are terms alien to ordinary dictionaries; hence no
Hindu Sadhu has understood the concepts and consequence of
such illusory terms. Inculturation has emerged from the
post World War II catacombs and post Vatican II mindset:
"Jesus the only God", and "Our God is your God and. Your
God is No God mindset", is nothing but "piracy, vandalism
and injustice" for the traditions of the indigenous people
and their living traditions all over the world.

The Catholic Diocese of Rapid City, USA has a exclusive
project office and a dedicated official website, to convert
the remnant natives and hapless red Indians for
Inculturation under Inculturation: "The Lakota
Inculturation Task Force, established in 1995 in the
Diocese of Rapid City, is the first effort by the Church in
the United States to seriously address the question of the
relationship of Native culture and religion and the
teaching and rites of the Catholic Church. The Task Force
is composed of Catholic Lakota people who want to bring the
gift of their Native religious heritage to the Church.
Serving, as consultants to the Task Force are specialists
in theology, anthropology and liturgy...

the Task Force published the Inculturation of the Liturgy
of the Eucharist. It is ready to seek the bishop's
permission to publish a document on Funeral Rites and will
soon begin work on Marriage and Baptismal Rites.See for
details:

http://www.rapidcitydiocese.org/Ministries/Inculturation_Specifics3.htm

In short inculturation is cultural plagiarism, cultural
vandalism, with the idea of ultimate conquest. Which unlike
Bio-piracy and Software piracy "inculturations have not
received any attention whatsoever from law makers and has
not been made into cognizable and or punishable offences.

A Sect of Sufi Muslims "dervishes" have their own dancing
called "Dancing by whirling " which cannot be separated
from Sufism, so too Bharat Natyam cannot be serrated from
Hinduism by Vatican ideologues in India, as they have found
in it a useful tool of evangelizations

In the absence of any law whatsoever, to protect original
/unique /indigenous Cultures and their heritage, the entire
gamut of heritage right from Basmathi, Neem, Turmeric, Yoga
to Bharat Natyam have become endangered, and hence the
crying need to enact strict legislations.

The former items Basmati, Neem and Turmeric have since been
protected after stiff legal battles in international
courts. Now it is the turn for the other Rich symbols of
Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Jaina literature books, sacred
objects, icons, temples, sacred forests, mountains, caves,
rivers, bathing ghats, sacred spaces, passages, ashrams,
mutts, properties, lands endowed to them, their properties,
unique customs, leadership practices, worship methods,
mantras, tantras, yantras, organizations, sanctity
associated with traditions, padarthas,aushadas, pathways,
places ,religious,cultural ,religious, icons,
art,architcture, music, dance, folk art,instruments,
dress,jewellery, festivals,stories and even food and
gastronomic effects that need urgent protection from our
authorities.

Shri Iswar Sharan (famed author of The Myth of St.Thomas
and Mylapore Shiva Temple Voice of India Publication New
Delhi) replied in his email dated November 16, 2007. "You
have given us a wonderful darshan of Nataraja, the Lord of
the Dance, in his excellent article "Quantum Physics and
the Dance of Nataraja .You are right, "(Christian)
inculturation is cultural plagiarism (and) cultural
vandalism, with the idea of ultimate conquest." We must be
beware of Christians with their flattery and money, taking
over our sacred art forms such as Bharathanatyam, even as
they did those of ancient Greece and Rome, and calling them
their own. ,Drawing from his four decades of dealing with
Christian Missionaries, He then gave this ominous warning
to Hindus "Christianity is a parasitical religion, which
attaches itself to a host culture and feeds off it,
absorbing its spirit and lifeblood into itself until the
host culture dies and become Christian. " This was
articulated by Art of Living fame Sri Sri Ravishankarji
"How can you separate Bharat Natyam & Hinduism?" and again
echoed by Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswathy Dance is
Sacred,You cannot think of Dance without Nataraja".

Conclusion:

Cultural piracy is the greatest cultural threat now India
is facing. Inculturation is largely not properly
articulated as a perceived threat. It has not been studied
and approached as a serious threat and presented at the
appropriate forums as a problem to be dealt with. The
Sanathana Dharma Organizations presently working all over
India must identify Inculturation as a serious threat in
their internal meets. They must document those unique
features of Sanathana Dharma that have come under the
unwanted gaze of inculturation specialists. An agenda must
be prepared for protecting. They must identify and list
those items listed supra and lobby with the local state
governments and at political levels to list, preserve and
protect heritage. There was one Saraswathy River that was
thought to be a mythical river, was rediscovered, and one
Ramsethu that was long forgotten, except during Ramayana
Kathas, Pravachans or Ram path, is now in the brink and we
do not know how many such heritages are waiting to be
discovered?

There is a compelling need for a "district wise heritage
list" and presented to an apex forum. Exercises similar to
IPR Intellectual Property Rights must begin in earnest and
that must envisage a comprehensive CPR Cultural Property
Rights and that should be followed by a international
debate, with a time bound mechanism for enacting far
reaching legislations.

G. P. Srinivasan

 - - -

The above article was printed in Hindu Voice,Mumbai,
September 2007, (not available on the web) under the title
"Quantum Physics and Dance of Nataraja" is now made
available with additional information on the need to
protect cultural property rights and the need to identify,
list, index, document, preserve, and protect cultural
heritage, through a comprehensive cultural protection
measures including legislations.

About the author: The author is a lead auditor for ISO
14001 (EMS) EARA environmental management systems and SAP
R/3 ERP Consultant. He contributed to the management
section for The Hindu until 1999. E-mail:
gp.sriniva...@gmail.com

End of forwarded message

Jai Maharaj
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Om Shanti

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