Dances with Gods -  Programme

_Recordings     Programme

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DANCES WITH GODS

Part 1: Shakti
In which Parvati’s desire for the great god Siva is overpowering
The all-powerful god Siva, the preserver, sits in a meditation, which holds the universe in balance. His consort Parvati attempts, unsuccessfully, to awaken sensual desire in him with the beauty of her dance. Kama, the god of love’s desire, and his playful wife Rati, are fearful of Siva’s enormous strength, but cannot resist becoming curious at this amorous situation. Can the most powerful god of all be moved by desire?

Part 2:Dancing Shiva
In which the great god Siva starts to stir, and reveals his two other sides
Siva, the Yogi, comes out of meditation but still retains the balance of the universe as the dancing Siva Nataraja. Here he manifests his two other sides, the dual aspects of creator and destroyer. But is his wrath tempered with compassion? Kama tests him out by entering his ear as a swarm of honey bees. The great Yogi becomes impassioned.

Part 3: Kama Deva
In which love dies
Parvati has reached the limit of her endurance. She uses her shakti, the female power, and offers a union with Siva. But he is only interested in holding balance within himself, and does not wish for union with another. Parvati, in desperation, pleads with Kama to help her. Kama, whilst in awe of the great god, cannot resist this challenge. He dares to fire the arrow of love’s desire at Siva. The arrow hits Siva, and he is enraged. In great anger he turns Kama to ashes with the power of his third eye. Love is dead.

Part 4: Rati's lament
In which the minor gods plead with Siva to restore love
Parvati and Rati lead the lament at the loss of Kama and of love. They plead with Siva for the restoration of Kama, but Siva is unmoved. Desire and love endanger his meditation, cause commotion and conflict, and create a worldly atmosphere. As the pleading intensifies he tells Parvati that she must perform tapas - an act of purification - before he can re-endow her with the power of love.

Part 5: Unity
In which Parvati performs tapas and uses the power of shakti to succeed
The tapas of Parvati is so full that Siva is impressed. He concedes that union is possible, provided love is elevated towards the divine. He agrees to restore Kama and to allow him to continue in his quest to awaken love – but in his heavenly elevation Kama is no longer visible to Rati. The minor gods rejoice. Unity is restored... for the time being.