The third is the Nadanta Dance of Nataraja or Ananada Tandava before an august assembly in the Golden Hall or ‘kanaka Sabha’ of Chidambaram or Thillai, considered as the center of the Universe, first revealed to the gods and ‘rishi-s’ in the forest of Taraka as revealed in the Koyil Purana. The legend therein is as follows: In the forest of Taraka there lived many heretical ‘rishi-s’ who were experts in Mimamsa or Hindu philosophy and as such very arrogant and ill-behaved. In order to teach them a definite lesson Shiva disguised as a handsome naked beggar went to their abode along with Vishnu transformed as a beautiful woman-Mohini and also with Adisesha.

This was to test the fidelity of the ‘rishis’ wives whose chastity was well-known. However they fell in love with the beautiful beggar whereas the ‘rishis’ were enamored with Mohini and they started quarrelling amongst themselves. On seeing their wives adoring the mendicant Shiva, their anger fell on him.

They performed the ‘Abhicharaka Homa’, to destroy Shiva the Mendicant. From this Homa, arose a ferocious Tiger which Shiva in a trice killed with his nails and tearing its skin, wore around his neck as an ornament and danced. Then they created the demon dwarf Apasmara or Muylagan who rushed upon Shiva.