Chidambaram and the Element of Space

 As we know as per the Indian tradition, there are 5 essential elements of nature, air, water, fire, land and space which are connected with our  senses through sensory perceptions between them.

 Of these 5 elements, Space neither can be seen nor felt directly through sensory perception like the other 4 elements. According to Shaivic tradition, the 5 elements of nature have been attributed to 5 locations in India, namely Air <-> Srikalahasthi, Water <-> Thiruvaanaikaaval, Fire <-> Thiruvannamalai, Land <-> Kanchipuram, Space <-> Chidambaram.

 To understand space in our daily lives, the writer is taking references from Jiddu Krishnamurti's talks and dialogues. Essentially there are two types of space, physical space and psychological space. Physical space is very easy to comprehend, which we need not dwell on. Whereas to understand the psychological space, one has to understand the mind. When the mind is occupied with any thought be it work, family, aspiration, devotion etc. it has no psychological space. When one observes very deeply even at least for a moment without the interference of thought, one can sense the tremendous loneliness accompanied by an immeasurable space. The author humbly suggests to the readers of this line, to do this step even if it is for a moment. Then this article can be understood in the way it should be.

 Space as in scientific ventures by the astronauts also represents the infinite, endless and immeasurable nature of it. Though they may go around in an orbit and get back to mother earth, no one has gone beyond space.

 Coming back to the correlation with the location of Chidambaram, the author feels these two lines from the verse of Sivapuranam represent the Element of Space and Lord Nataraja.

 "நள்ளிருளில் நட்டம் பயின்றாடும் நாதனே"

"சொல்லற்கு அரியானே சொல்லித் திருவடிக் கீழ்".

 These two lines can be interpreted with the immeasurable space and which is beyond words or thoughts. In this article, we have tried to understand the incomprehensible nature of space and a correlation of this natural element with Chidambaram Lord Nataraja. Here we aren't imposing any conformity or beliefs but when one sees the magnanimity of space, one can feel it oneself.