Swastika - A Symbol of Auspicious Knowledge -2

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*Swastika - A Symbol of Auspicious Knowledge -2*

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Namaste.*

 

Valmikiya Ramayana cites the appearance of swastika

<http://www.akhandjyoti.org/?Akhand-Jyoti/2005/Jan-Feb/SwastikasymbolKnowledge/>\

symbol as that of the bluish line-design seen on the crest of the cobra - king

of snakes. This simile indicates a deeper meaning - conveying the importance of

swastika <http://www.akhandjyoti.org/?Akhand-Jyoti/2005/Jan-Feb

SwastikasymbolKnowledge/>in tantra as well. The matrikas - special sounds or

’packets’ of eternal sonic energy (Nada) indwelling the cosmos that were

realized by the rishis in a state of trance - are of fundamental importance in

the science of tantra and mantra. The signs (notations) representing the

matrikas are said to be the origin of the syllables of the Vedic Sanskrit script

and hence of all the (ancient) languages. Acharya Abhinav Gupt explains this in

the

" Tantraloka " as

 

*Prathakprathaktattriyam Sukshmamityabhishabdyate |

Sanjam Karomi Madhuram Vadayami Bruve Vacha¡ ||*

 

The matrikas and (hence) the vowels and consonants were generated from the

manifestation of the omnipresent, eternal sound (Nadabrahm). The different forms

of ’voice’ - namely the pashyanti (voice of the inner self) madhyama (mental

voice or the voice that one hears while thinking) and baikhari (usual voice used

in speech) - also originated from the same Nada; each of them was further

divided into the perceivable and subtle forms. Thus the six-fold manifestation

of the Nadabrahm came into existence. The six line-segments of the

swastika<http://www.akhandjyoti.org/?Akhand-Jyoti/2005/Jan-Feb/SwastikasymbolKno\

wledge/>symbolize this occult knowledge. In this context,

swastika<http://www.akhandjyoti.org/?Akhand-Jyoti/2005/Jan-Feb/SwastikasymbolKno\

wledge/>is further regarded as a sign depicting the secret facets of the origin

of Nature.

 

The vocal sound (baikhari vani), as we perceive it, consists of both -- the

vowels and the consonants. Of this, the vowels are fundamental; they exist as

natural expressions of sound, namely the swaras; the consonants can’t be

perceived without the suffix of swaras. There are six basic swaras of musical

notes. These are like the six major components of the spectrum of light that is

referred in the scriptures as - " Yadevatatmakam suryarashmiktwam " , and the

ensemble of these six suryarashmi (sunrays) is called " swastika " .

 

Apart from the scriptural descriptions, the archeological findings,

especially inscriptions in the ancient caves indicate the popularity of

swastika<http://www.akhandjyoti.org/?Akhand-Jyoti/2005/Jan-Feb/SwastikasymbolKno\

wledge/>design in ancient times. The paintings and stone carvings found at

Singhanpur area in Raigardh, Baniya Beri in Pachmari and several caves in the

Chambal and Sagar-Bhopal regions are among the authentic proofs available today

in this regard in India. Many of the designs depict both the dakshiñavarta

(clockwise) and the vamavarta (counterclockwise) swastikas. Both the types are

found engraved on the coins of the Age of Indus-civilization as well. However,

only the clockwise swastika, which we have referred so far, is found in the

pictures or inscriptions showing signs of religious rituals; it is indeed this

type - the (vedic)

swastika<http://www.akhandjyoti.org/?Akhand-Jyoti/2005/Jan-Feb/SwastikasymbolKno\

wledge/>that is used and worshipped in the Hindu religious sacraments.

 

The counterclockwise

swastika<http://www.akhandjyoti.org/?Akhand-Jyoti/2005/Jan-Feb/SwastikasymbolKno\

wledge/>is supposed to be used in some tantrika practices; incidentally, the

’swastika’ symbol adopted by the Nazis is also of counterclockwise type. As per

renowned scholars like Prof. Maxmuller, this anti-clockwise design of

swastika<http://www.akhandjyoti.org/?Akhand-Jyoti/2005/Jan-Feb/SwastikasymbolKno\

wledge/>was also favored in some orthodox Christian churches and was popular

several hundred years ago in England, and then in some varied forms in Denmark,

Norway and Sweden. For example, the related symbol in Sweden had the arms of the

counterclockwise

swastika<http://www.akhandjyoti.org/?Akhand-Jyoti/2005/Jan-Feb/SwastikasymbolKno\

wledge/>design expanded and connected to each other along a circular contour;

which appears like a cross embedded in a circle. It should be noted that in this

article the main focus of our discussion is only the vedic symbol (the clockwise

swastika).

 

Another scholar Mrs. Murray remarks in the volume entitled " Symbolism of the

East and West " that the vedic symbols encompass deep and important meanings. It

is mostly these symbols, which were propagated in different parts of the globe;

some changes and diversions occurred and got adopted with the flow of time.

These variations are reflected in several symbols used in different religions of

the world.

Swastika<http://www.akhandjyoti.org/?Akhand-Jyoti/2005/Jan-Feb/SwastikasymbolKno\

wledge/>is a vedic symbol which has acquired a rich global tradition and

significance.

 

According to Indian Philosophy, the four arms of

swastika<http://www.akhandjyoti.org/?Akhand-Jyoti/2005/Jan-Feb/SwastikasymbolKno\

wledge/>symbolize the four Vedas, four Varnas, four Ashrams, four Lokas and the

four deities - Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh (Shiva) and Ganesha. Eminent vedic scholar

Pt. Ramchandra Shastri further cites that the design of

swastika<http://www.akhandjyoti.org/?Akhand-Jyoti/2005/Jan-Feb/SwastikasymbolKno\

wledge/>resembles

a four-petalled lotus (chaturdala kamal) which symbolizes the

abode of Lord Ganapati and is therefore worshiped in religious ceremonies and

also enshrined at the places of worship. Several savants also regard

swastika<http://www.akhandjyoti.org/?Akhand-Jyoti/2005/Jan-Feb/SwastikasymbolKno\

wledge/>as the symbol of the Kaustubh Mani present on the chest of the

embodied-manifestations of God Vishnu. to be continued ...

 

Source: www.awgp.org

 

--

Thank you

 

Have a Fulfilling Day

 

Venkat Koppaka