Symbol of Swastika (digest 383

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Message: 6

Thu, 16 Mar 2000 22:31:55 -0000

" Vivekananda Centre " <vivekananda

Symbols of Hinduism

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Dear Friends,

Here is swastika symbol elaborated. This is fully quoted from the

Vedanta Kesari, a monthly journal of Sri Ramakrishna Order, published

from Chennai (Madras), India. (March 2000 issue). In previous issues of

1999-2000 also one symbol is elaborated every month.

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" Swastika "

" The Swastika is a very ancient Hindu concept and symbol standing for

auspiciousness. A Swastika mark on a thing or person denotes good luck.

A lucky object is called Swastika. It is often associated with Brahma,

Vishnu, Shiva, Indra and the Snake deities.

 

A Swastika kolam (design with powdered rice) on the front courtyard is

an auspicious sign of welcome.

 

In Buddhism the Swastika refers to a symbol frequently associated with

Lord Sakyamuni Buddha. The entrance to the great Stupa at Sanchi and the

perimeter wall represents a Swastika.

 

In Jainism the Swastika and its four arms stand for the four destinies

of a soul - the human, the superhuman or godly, the animal, and the

crawling insects.

 

Swastika mudra is a ritual hand pose in which the fingers of both hands

are splayed and interlocked. In a variation of this mudra the palms face

forward, shoulder level, fingers pointing away from the body, and the

two palms crossed at the wrist. It denotes power and is associated with

Lord Shiva.

 

Sauvastika is a Swastika that faces left. It symbolizes the autumnal and

winter sun. This is not considered auspicious. Hitler adopted this sign

as the Nazi emblem and we know what a holocaust it led to.

 

The meeting of four roads is also called a Swastika. Swasti is a form of

greeting: 'May it be well with you', Swastvachanam at the end of a

ceremony is a song recited by the priests blessing the yajamana and his

family. "

 

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