According to the provided reference, Shiva is identified as the King of Dancers.
Understanding the Title: King of Dancers
In the context of Hindu mythology, Shiva, one of the three main deities, is famously known by the epithet Natarāja (or Nataraj), which literally translates to "King" (Raja) of "Dancers" (Nata).
The reference highlights this manifestation:
Shiva, one of the three main gods of the Hindu pantheon, reveals himself in an extraoridinary array of manifestations. Here he is seen as the King of Dancers performing the dance of cosmic bliss.
Shiva as Natarāja
The form of Shiva as Natarāja is highly significant in Hinduism and represents the cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction.
- The Cosmic Dance: Known as the Tandava, this dance is not merely a performance but a symbolic representation of the universe's cyclical nature.
- Manifestation: The reference specifically points out that Shiva reveals himself in various forms, and the King of Dancers is one such "extraoridinary manifestation."
- Significance: He is depicted performing the "dance of cosmic bliss," signifying the आनंद (Ananda) or bliss that is the fundamental nature of reality, even amidst the dynamic processes of the cosmos.
In summary, based on the reference, the figure known as the King of Dancers is the Hindu god Shiva, particularly in his form of Natarāja, performing the dance of cosmic bliss.