Apasmara

Apasmâra (. Sanskrit, m, अपस्मार apasmâra, " ignorance ", spiritual blindness, originally: "Epilepsy " ) is in Indian mythology, a dwarfish demon ( asura ); he is especially popular in southern India.

Hindu iconography

The Hindu iconography knows the apasmâra mainly in connection with the dancing god Shiva Nataraja, the "King of Dancers ." In the popular representation of the four-armed Shiva in the circle of flames he lies under the feet of dancers. The image contains a multi-layered symbolism, the dance with its dynamics as well as for creation as it is for destruction. He destroyed the apasmâra, the personification of delusion, mental dullness, and all evil. Believers seen in this illustration, the redemptive work of the divine. The mythology tells that people phoned Shiva for help against the demon, after which he came and killed the apasmâra dancing with his left foot.

Apasmâra as a disease

The original meaning of apasmâra for a neurological disease, now referred to as epilepsy is to find in traditional Indian medicine, Ayurveda, yet.

Symbolism

Demons ( see also Andhaka, Mahishasura, Hiranyaksha, Hiranyakasipu ) are embodiments of aggressive or selfish, that is, ultimately stupid behavior. They disturb the divine order and the peaceful and harmonious coexistence of people.