Siva dances, surrounded by a fire which destroys ignorance while evoking creation with the sound of his hour-glass shaped drum. He crushes underfoot the dwarf demon Apasmara, the symbol of ignorance, while simultaneously showing mercy by raising his palm, a calming gesture and pointing with his foot to indicate where the worshipper may take refuge. This image reminds the devotee of the circle of life and death and the reconciliation through Siva of these opposites. Despite the violence of the dance his expression is detached, serene and uninvolved.
Siva is adorned with a crown also having a crescent moon on the side. A serpent encircles his neck even as Siva dances. His hair which is supposed to be flying in all directions due to the violent movement of his dance is symmetrically shown here. The edges of his superfluous garments touch the circle of fire. In the foreground, Apasmara holds on to a serpent even as Siva dances atop his body. On the pinnacle of the fire arch is the kirtimukha, a fusion of man and beast which symbolizes the passing of time.
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