00:00 - 07:50 The Lovers
07:51 - 10:56 Conception, Preparation, Anticipation
10:57 - 12:51 Creation Approches
12:52 - 13:34 Birth and Amazement
13:35 - 17:52 Celebration
In the west, Shiva is called The Destroyer, which leaves me deeply saddened at the shocking liberties interpreters of the past took with meaning and intent. Shiva is better described as the tabula rasa. Shiva clears the way so that new creation can happen. When Shiva is Nataraja, Lord of the Dance, he holds Apasmara, demon of ignorance and ego, beneath his feet so that what comes next can have a better chance than what came before. He's not the destroyer. He is the creator of new opportunity. This kirtan, which is dedicated to Shiva, is to me, clearly a song about a child coming into the world. Beginning with lovers being beautiful to one another, conceiving, anticipating, and finally welcoming their child into the world. It is a perfect allegory. What is a new baby of not a universe of possibility and wonder? I imagine Shiva as Nataraja, nebulous and vast, dancing his celestial dance across the universe, laughing and filled with joy, knowing that somewhere in the world this story is playing out. He dances and clears the way for this new life.
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