Eternal India Encyclopedia

PERCEPTIONS

Eternal India

encyclopedia

SYMBOLS

In India symbols have, from the earliest

times, played a great part in matters of

worship. Symbols can express meaning

where words fail. The symbol is not the

Reality. It is only a means of remembering

the Lord, through the association of ideas.

Mandala

A symbolic thought diagram.

The simplest

mandala

a circle enclosing a

square with a central

symbol which can be a

point,

beeja

(seed), or a

figure. Qualitatively the

mandala

represents

spirit. Quantitatively it symbolises exis-

tence. The Hindu temple is built as a man-

dala, symbolising the universe at its differ-

ent levels with gates and doors to the four

Vedas.

The five squares represent the five

senses of perception of knowledge.

At times a

mantra

like OM serves as

sound symbol. Shiva is worshipped in the

form of a

linga

which whatever be its origi-

nal significance does not call up in the mind

of the worshippers any phallic association

at all. To them

linga

is an aniconic form or

symbol of the supreme spirit.

The following prayers bring out this

idea:

O Lord, in my meditations I have

attributed forms to thee who art formless.

O Thou, Teacher of the World, by singing

„ Thy glory, I have covered the idea that

, Thou art beyond all speech. By describ- ,

ing Thee as specially manifested at

places of pilgrimage and the like, I have

denied Thy Omnipresence. O Lord of the

universe, pray forgive me for the three-

fold fault of mutilation committed by

- me."

In many types of mystical worship a

pot

full of water is used, either solely or in

addition to other forms to represent the

formless, all-pervading spirit. Agni or fire

may also take the place of other forms. The

lighted fire is regarded as the body of God

and is worshipped by offering oblations.

Swaasthika

The auspicious

swaasthika

is a symbol

of good fortune and prosperity, meaning in

Sanskrit "It is well." It is an auspicious

symbol of Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. The

Hindus and Jains use the symbol to mark

the opening pages of their account books,

thresholds and doors.

The right-hand

swaasthika

which

moves in a clockwise direction is consid-

ered a solar symbol and imitates in the rota-

tion of its arms the course taken daily by the

sun which appears to pass from east, then

south, to west. The left-hand

swaasthika

which moves in an anti-clockwise direction

stands for the female principle, night, the

goddess Kali.

The combination of the two in the

double

swastika indicates that the supreme prin-

ciple can be reached by both the right-hand

and left-hand paths.

JAIN SYMBOLS

Apart from scriptural existence,

Ashta-

mangala

signs have their practical usage. In

ancient times, these symbolic signs were

placed at the

Torana

— gate or the entrance

door top of every Jain home. They are brin-

gers and providers of all auspicious things.

They also provide vibrations of right under-

standing, right conduct, religious perspec-

tive, everlasting peace, prosperity, harmony

and bliss.

ASHTA MANGALAS

Swaasthika:

Indi-

cates going beyond the

four life states namely, hell

life state, animal life state,

celestial life state and

human life state.

Srivatsa

A particular part of the body in

the chest having peculiar

upper portion elevated.

This is evident only in the

chest of Tirthankaras and

Great persons suggesting

their unbounded powers

and overall capabilities.

Nandyavarta

: A larger

Swastika — a beautiful fig-

ure

consisting

nine

angles.

4. Vardhamanak

: Vardhaman-Samput or

Sharav-Samput : The figure of (lamp-type)

Deepak-Vessels

en-

joined

together

straight and reverse.

Such a figure symbol-

ises, ensures and indi-

cates increase, growth development and

preservation of prosperity with Divine

Qualities in the world. Vardhamana was

also the name of Lord Mahaveera, signifi-

cantly and mysteriously providing these

divine qualities to the suffering world and

humanity. Vardhamana was even the name

of the celestial abode from which his soul

descended on the earth to take birth and en-

tered the mother's womb....!!

Bhadrasana

Highly ornamental auspi-

cious Seat or Throne,

symbolic of express-

ing from it the Right

and sweet words,

Right orders, Just

deci-

sions and all-welfare-

wishing

vibrations,

being used by Great

Souls only.

Kalasha

Pot : A symbol of water (Jal-

Tattwa), Life, Purity, Wealth (Lakshmi)

and perfect achievement.

Pooma Kalasha — Pot

full of water, one of the

14 (or 16) greatly auspi-

cious, symbols and mys-

tical Divine Dreams wit-

nessed

Queen

Trishala, Bhagawan Ma-

haveera's Majestic Mother, dreamt by her

before Mahaveera's World-Welfare-bring-

ing great birth.

Meen Yugala :

Fish couple ; Indicative

of Learning (vidya) and prosperity.

Darpana

: Mirror :

Reflecting the self

dwelling within and in-

dicating and reminding

of everyone's ultimate

goal of Self-Realisa-.

tion.