Shivakami (Sivakami) is a rare and revered form of Goddess Parvati, worshipped primarily in Tamil Nadu. She is considered the divine consort of Lord Shiva and is closely associated with the worship of Nataraja, the dancing form of Shiva. While Parvati is widely known as the Mother Goddess and embodiment of Shakti (divine energy), her form as Shivakami is specific to certain temples, particularly in Tamil Shaivism, where she plays a significant role in complementing Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance (Ananda Tandava).
The most well-known temple dedicated to this form of Parvati is the Chidambaram Temple, also known as the Thillai Nataraja Temple, where she is worshipped as Shivakami Amman. This temple is one of the holiest Shaiva temples in India.
Importance of Shivakami
In the context of Shaiva worship, Shivakami is seen as the eternal feminine energy (Shakti) that balances Lord Shiva's dynamic cosmic dance. Her presence is essential in many Shiva temples where the cosmic cycles of creation, preservation, and destruction are symbolized through Shiva’s dance of Nataraja. While Shiva is the principle of detachment, representing transcendence and the cosmic order, Shivakami stands for grace, compassion, and the nurturing aspect of the universe.
In Chidambaram Temple, which is highly significant in Shaivism, Shivakami’s role as the consort of Nataraja is central to the temple rituals. She participates in Shiva’s dance, symbolizing the inseparable bond between Shiva and Shakti, reflecting the balance between action and grace, motion and stillness, energy and consciousness.
Story of Shivakami
The story of Shivakami is intricately tied to the Ananda Tandava (Dance of Bliss) performed by Lord Shiva in Chidambaram. According to the mythological tradition, the sage Patanjali and Vyaghrapada were great devotees of Lord Shiva. They prayed for a vision of Shiva's cosmic dance, which could grant them ultimate liberation. Responding to their prayers, Lord Shiva appeared as Nataraja in the sacred hall of Chidambaram (the Chit Sabha), performing the Ananda Tandava.
During this celestial dance, Shivakami accompanied Lord Shiva, representing the grace and benevolence that tempers the intensity of his dance. Her serene form serves as a divine counterpart to the dynamic, sometimes destructive energy of Shiva’s tandava. While Shiva symbolizes transformation and cosmic change, Shivakami embodies nurturing and continuity, ensuring the balance of energies in the universe.
Current Status of Shivakami Worship
Shivakami is primarily worshipped as a subsidiary deity in certain Shiva temples, most notably at the Chidambaram Temple. This temple is famous for its architectural beauty and spiritual importance, and Shivakami is enshrined in a special shrine as Shivakami Amman next to the main shrine of Lord Nataraja. Although Shivakami is not as widely worshipped as other forms of Parvati, her presence in these select temples highlights her essential role in Shaivite tradition.
Throughout Tamil Nadu, Shivakami is revered during temple festivals and rituals that honor both Lord Shiva and Parvati. Particularly during the annual Natyanjali festival at Chidambaram, which celebrates the cosmic dance of Nataraja, Shivakami is venerated alongside Lord Shiva. Dancers and devotees gather from across India to offer performances and prayers to both deities.
Worship and Puja Rituals
Worship of Shivakami, especially in the Chidambaram Temple, follows detailed rituals that are deeply rooted in Shaiva Agama traditions. The puja rituals typically involve:
- Offering flowers, fruits, and incense to the deity, along with special adornments for the statue of Shivakami.
- Abhishekam (ritual bathing) of the deity with milk, honey, water, and other sacred substances.
- Arati (waving of lighted lamps), which symbolizes the dispelling of ignorance and inviting the deity’s divine presence into the lives of devotees.
- Recitation of hymns from Shaiva texts, especially the Shiva Tandava Stotram and other prayers that praise both Lord Shiva and Shivakami for their cosmic roles.
Devotees typically visit the shrine of Shivakami after offering prayers to Lord Nataraja, acknowledging the intertwined nature of the divine masculine and feminine principles.
Benefits of Worshipping Shivakami
Devotees believe that worshipping Shivakami brings several spiritual and worldly benefits:
- Protection and Strength: As the mother goddess, she is believed to provide protection to her devotees from misfortune and harm.
- Divine Grace and Blessings: Devotees seek her blessings for peace, prosperity, and success in personal and professional life.
- Balance in Life: Just as she balances the cosmic dance of Shiva, worshipping Shivakami helps devotees attain balance in their lives—emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
- Spiritual Liberation (Moksha): Those who earnestly worship Shivakami alongside Lord Nataraja are believed to attain higher spiritual consciousness, leading to liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Lesser-Known Facts about Shivakami
Iconography: Unlike other forms of Parvati, who are often depicted seated or standing by Shiva’s side, Shivakami is often portrayed as a dancer or in graceful postures, reflecting her active role in the cosmic dance.
Chidambaram Secret: The Chidambaram temple is famous for the “Chidambara Rahasyam” or the "Secret of Chidambaram," which represents the formless nature of Shiva. While Lord Shiva is worshipped in his formless state, Shivakami symbolizes the manifest aspect of creation, bridging the gap between the form and the formless.
Patron of Dance: Apart from her role as Shiva’s consort, Shivakami is considered a patron deity of classical dance forms, especially Bharatanatyam, which has roots in the dance tradition of the Chidambaram temple.
Similar Goddesses to Shivakami
Shivakami, though a unique form of Parvati, has parallels with other goddesses from different traditions and mythologies:
- Uma: Another name of Parvati, Uma represents the softer, nurturing aspect of Parvati. Like Shivakami, she is worshipped as Shiva’s consort, especially in the Himalayas.
- Minakshi: In Madurai, Parvati is worshipped as Minakshi, the fish-eyed goddess, another form of Parvati that is revered as a powerful local deity, much like Shivakami in Chidambaram.
- Kamakshi: In Kanchipuram, Parvati takes the form of Kamakshi, the goddess of love and devotion. Kamakshi and Shivakami share attributes of compassion and feminine grace.
- Durga: While Durga represents a more ferocious form of Parvati, in some contexts, especially in South India, she is worshipped alongside Shiva in a balanced form similar to Shivakami.
Shivakami is a powerful but lesser-known manifestation of Goddess Parvati, deeply venerated in the sacred Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu, particularly in Chidambaram. As the consort of Lord Nataraja, she plays a significant role in balancing the cosmic energies, symbolizing grace and compassion. Worship of Shivakami is said to bring blessings of protection, peace, and spiritual upliftment. Although her worship is more localized, her significance in the Shaiva tradition is profound, embodying the essential unity of Shiva and Shakti.