Taṇḍava

views updated

Taṇḍava. In Hinduism, Śiva's cosmic dance of creation and destruction. The name is said to come from the ṛṣi Taṇḍi, who received Śaivite teaching from the Rudras. It is the turning of the wheel of life, through which Śiva goes out, through līlā, to veil himself in the māyā (appearance) of creation, and then with-draws, carrying with him his devotees into union with himself and escape from saṃsārā (rebirth).