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Sword-Dance

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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in Hinduism, is a religious dance performed by Hindu, bayaderes who have dedicated themselves to some deity, and involving the display of great skill. Swords are fastened, edge upward, to two long poles, which are inclined against a wall so as to form two half-ladders. The bayaderes ascend these and dance on them, assuming the most graceful attitudes, and displaying inimitable skill and grace of bodily form. While the art of dancing on such vibrating blades may be exceedingly difficult, the reward of the dancers is correspondingly great, so that they are not unfrequently enriched by the receipts from a single performance.