Every being in the universe – living or non-living – undergoes a process of birth and renewal. At the time of its birth, energy from previous lives intermingles with that of its immediate surroundings – people and nature – and results in its formation. At that time, the being is endowed with three sets of qualities: Sattva Guna (virtue, harmony, construction etc.); Rajas Guna (ego, passion, activity etc.) and Tamas Guna (inertia, imbalance, disorder, vice etc.)
Each characteristic is like a thread that runs through the being. The ratio of these threads differs in everyone. However, no being is exclusively composed of any one or two of them. During the course of the being’s lifespan, these qualities are expressed through various actions and thoughts at different times and situations. The state of mind of the being during the performance of its acts determines its rewards or penalties in the future. These could be earned or levied either in the present life or the ones to follow. Therefore, one’s destiny is pre-determined to a great extent; but not completely. Even though fate is pre-written; it’s possible for a being to shape it by filtering itself. Through this process, the being evolves its consciousness and brings the three afore-mentioned qualities in balance. This method of inner restitution is known as Tandava.
Tandava is a process of self-appraisal whereby a being evaluates itself. It first investigates its energy composition and discovers the proportion of qualities within it. Thereafter, it undertakes a process of filtration whereby it detaches himself from all these characteristics. Subsequently, it’s able to alter its energy balance and join the universe in a renewed state.
The popular understanding of tandava is an act of destruction. We picture Lord Shiva dancing atop Mount Kailasha – hailing fire and brimstone on Earth – instantly incinerating it. This portrait seems to suggest that tandava is an inherently violent act. Nothing is further from the truth.
Since energy is neither created nor destroyed, the allusion of demolition or death is incorrect. Rather, we should look at the end of a life cycle as its renewal. This is a stage when all qualities are nullified and recycled to shape new consciousness.
We all fear the end as the decimation of happiness. It’s not.
The end is the beginning of a new dawn. A new era. The rebirth of consciousness.