From the Unconscious to the Conscious !

Today i will describe one of the most important Natyarambham Shloka / Salutation that has to be offered to Goddess Bhoomi Devi / Mother Earth before starting Natyam.

This is a Shlokam to seek  UNCONDITIONAL FORGIVENESS from Goddess Bhoomi Devi for stamping on her with your FEET. 

She is the epitome of TOLERANCE ; COMPASSION ; PATIENCE ; FORBEARANCE ; The weight of our actions are carried by Mother Earth - Bhoomi Devi.

Every time you stamp on Mother Earth with your feet you move from the state of Unconscious to the state of Consciousness.




This is the first Shlokam in Natya Veda that is offered to Bhoomi Devi. This prayer is offered to Bhoomi Devi before you start with any classical dance.

"Samudravasanae Devii Parvathasthana Mandalae ; Natyam Karishyae Bhoodevii Padaakhatham Shamaswamae".
Samudravasanae Devii = The Goddess Bhoomi Devi who drapes sea as her costume ;
Parvathasthana Mandalae  = Having mountains as her bosom ;
Natyam Karishyae Bhoodevii Padaakhatham ShamaswamaeI ask your forgiveness for stamping on your Holy and Sacred body with my feet".

Here is one of my favourite classical song ! The above Shlokam is enacted very gracefully in the song !
This song is a feast to the Eyes and Ears and I have never seen Girish Karnad being so GRACEFUL.




Every-time i stamp on the MANIFESTED FORM (Mother Earth - Bhoomi Devi) i move one step closer to the UNMANIFESTED FORM (Consciousness).
Every time i stamp on the Manifested form (Mother Earth - Bhoomi Devi) i move from the state of Unconscious behavior to the state of Consciousness only by realizing that iam stamping on Mother Earth. 
Please forgive me for stamping on your Manifested Holy Body with my feet.

Another important Natya Veda Shlokam that is offered to Lord Natarajar before starting with Natyam.
 "Sarva Shaasthra Sampannam Sarva Shilpa Pravarthakam  Natyaakyam   Panchamam Vedam Sethihaasam Karomyaham".
"I hereby describe Natyam which is enriched by all sciences and sculptures which can be
 considered as the Panchama Veda".

Iam stretching my TIRELESS ARMS towards PERFECTION.
Let words come out from the DEPTH OF TRUTH.

In the process i seek FORGIVENESS from MOTHER EARTH for STAMPING on her with my feet.
Each and Every time I STAMP  on Mother Earth : I move one more new step closer to CONSCIOUSNESS. 
Iam able to experience CONSCIOUSNESS ALL AROUND ME.
Iam able to understand the ROOT CAUSE of each and every single event that is occurring in my life. Iam unable to put them all in WRITING.




One more important Natya Veda Shlokam that is offered to Lord Natarajar before starting Natyam.
"Kati Karna samaayathra Koorparaamsha shirasthatha Samunnatham
uraschaiva Saoushtavam nama Thath Bhaved".
"I  align my ears with the waist, head raised with chin slightly up and the chest raised
 slightly, this posture is called Saushtavam - I dance in Saushtavam posture".

"Saushtavam" meaning Symmetrical.
All steps in Bharatanatyam should be Symmetrical.

Ragam : Shankarabharanam.
Shankarabharanam means "The Precious Jewellery of Lord Shiva".
I have compiled 8 Chitteswarams and since the Ragam used is Shankarabharanam which is the king all Ragam's these steps can be used in any Bharatanatayam song with any Ragam.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sankarabharanam_(raga)






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