The dance of Lord Shiva, also called Tandava, is among the most elevated and intense metaphysical visions within Hindu philosophy. This divine dance represents the universal cycles of creation and destruction on which the existence of the cosmos rest and goes into more profound insight concerning the very nature of reality.

The Divine Dancer and His Cosmic Rhythm

This primordial movement sustains and destroys the universe, and this is what the Hindu tradition stipulates as Tandava, performed by Lord Shiva. This dance takes place around a space of fire inside a world defined by cycles of time and boundaries of the cosmos, where that form of Shiva, known as Nataraja ('Lord of Dance'), depicts him suspended on one leg, having four arms, with his hair flying outward while he dances in what seems like a state of cosmic fire.

"Cosmic Running on the Paths of Fire, The Supreme Dancer of the Burning Ground, In the company of Uma, dances, and this is filled with the worlds in pleasure" (Shiva Purana, Vidyeshvara Samhita 6:43).
 

The Five Divine Acts

Five principal activities that keep in existence the five acts embodied in Tandava: 

1. Srishti (Creation) - This is the sound of drumbeats emanated from Shiva's damaru; it symbolizes the primeval sound (Nada) from which the universe comes into being.
2. Sthiti (Preservation) - Abhaya Mudra (gesture of protection) expresses the force that sustains through His lowered hand. 
3. Samhara (Destruction) - The flame in his upper left hand symbolizes the dissolution of forms.
4. Tirobhava (Concealment) - His foot planted upon the dwarf terror of ignorance symbolizes hiding the truth. 
5. Anugraha (Grace) - His raised foot represents liberation and divine blessing. 

As the Kularnava Tantra states: "The Supreme Lord dances with joy, and movement by him creates the universe. Five activities are there in him beside the eternal rhythm" (Kularnava Tantra 17:21).
 

The Dance of Opposites

However, perhaps the best quality of Tandava is its indicating the balanced unification of opposing things by seeming itself opposed. Within the dynamic activity of the dance is fierce destruction (rudra tandava) and soft creation (ananda tandava). Many of the images depict this unity of opposites: 

"Created and uncreated, life and death, beautiful and terrible, are all there in the dancer form," states the Skanda Purana: "In the dancer form, there exists creation and destruction, life and death, beauty and terror" (Skanda Purana, Nagara Khanda 167:12).

As the ancient Tamil text Tirumantiram describes: "His form is everywhere, full of truth and grace; all worlds are transformed by Shiva's unceasing dance" (Tirumantiram 2726).
 

The Dance Within and Without

For the seeker who approaches Hindu philosophy, understanding Tandava goes beyond understanding theology; it becomes an evolution toward spiritual enlightenment. Cosmic dancing happens not only in the macrocosm of the universe but also within the microcosm of each man.

"There is one God hidden in all beings, all-pervading, inner self of all," is the teaching of the Svetasvatara Upanishad (6:11). As Shiva dances within the cosmos, so does the presence of the divine dance within every person.
 

Watch Over Tandava Movement In Practise

Tandava can be a hotbed for spiritual aspirants drawn to Hinduism with its numerous messages: 

1. Accept the reality of endings so that beginnings can take place: Be sensitive to the rhythm of creation and dissolution in your life.
2. Understand the presence of the Divine animating both earth and the core of your consciousness. 
3. Fine-tune opposing forces instead of totally opposite reject the others. 
4. Find stillness at your center- just like Shiva's face remains serene amid his vigorous dance.

According to the classic text Siva Samhita, "When the yogi sees the entire universe within himself and himself in the entire universe, he sees Shiva's eternal dance" (Siva Samhita 1:62). 

The Relevance Today 

Thus, the concept metaphysically brings out the disenfranchised modern seeker who looks for meaning within a world in flux. Change, one must remember, requires construction and destruction-unlike opposites do not really stand apart, but every intimate part of a greater whole. 

As the ancient wisdom of Bhagavad Gita reminds us, "The wise see the same in all-whether it be a learned and humble brahmin, a cow, an elephant, a dog, or even one who eats dogs" (Bhagavad Gita 5:18). Thus, this vision of unity in diversity lies at the heart of Tandava-the divine dance that encompasses all aspects of existence. 

You begin the actual journey to seeing the sacred rhythms that flow in all things, including yourself when you start contemplating the cosmic dance of Shiva.