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Swastika – A Symbol of Auspiciousness and Well being

SwastikaOm Swasti N~indro Vadhdasravah, Swasti Nah Pusa  Visvavedah |
Swasti Nastaksryo~arstanemih, Swasti No Baspatirdadhatu  ||

This sacred hymn of the Yajurveda is a  swastivacana  –  a  prayer, an ardent aspiration, for the highest good and wellbeing of all beings, of everything, of  the whole universe…. Heart-felt chanting of this hymn is an integral part of initiating every religious sacrament or important familial ceremony in the vedic cultural rituals.   It conveys the core meaning hidden in the vedic symbol of swastika. The term swastika emanates  from the Sanskrit word swasti = su (good)  + asti (being).

As a symbol,  swastika is a line-design invented  by the vedic sages.  Its  specific geometry is believed to  have some relation with certain natural energy fields. It is drawn as a cross with equal arms when all the arms are continued  as far again at right angles clockwise. The sublime effects, in terms of the cosmic energy currents superimposed in the unique pattern of swastika, correspond  to what the swastika symbolizes –  auspiciousness,  wellbeing. The clockwise (dakïiñ³varta)  direction is of significant importance,   as it also happens to be the direction of movement  (as we see it on the earth) of the sun, which rises in the east and sets in the west. The four sides of the swastika thus represent the four principal directions.

The symbol of swastika is being used as a holy sign in India since the time of yore. Scriptural descriptions define it as a divine symbol that encompasses  (in coded form) several important  meanings and mysterious formulae or  signs representing  specific energy cycles in the universe.  The “Halayudh Kosha”   regards it  as   prominent among the twenty-four symbols of significance in the Indian Culture and states – Chaturvinïanti Chinh³ntargata  Chinha ViïeÌa. The same scripture also refers to it as chatuÌpatha – four paths emerging symmetrically  in four directions from a common origin. The seed-syllable (sounding  like “ga®” in the Vedic  script) of the Ganapati Mantra resembles  the swastika. This seed syllable together  with the four segments (chatuÌÚaya) of the mantra seems to be encapsulated in the swastika symbol.

In  some scriptures, four  divine powers governing the physical  system  of Nature are said to be subtly present around its  four sides: Vradhdaïrav³   Indra  in  the east, Brahaspati Indra in the south, P¿Ì³-Viïwaveda Indra in the west and AriÌÚanemi Indra in the north. Scholars of vedic literature also interpret the swastika symbol  as the coded design of  the electromagnetic   /  magnetic energy fields around the solar system’s nucleus.

Valmikiya   Ramayana  cites  the  appearance of  swastika 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 in tantra as well. The matrik³s  – special sounds  or ‘packets’ of eternal sonic energy (N³da)  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 matrik³s 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 Suksmamityabhisabdyate |
Sadjam Karomi Madhuram Vadaymi Bruve Vachah ||

The matrik³s  and (hence) the vowels and consonants were generated from  the  manifestation of  the  omnipresent, eternal sound (N³dabrah®).  The different forms of ‘voice’ – namely the païyanti  (voice of the inner self) madhyam³ (mental voice or the voice that one hears while thinking) and baikhari (usual voice used in speech)  – also originated from the same N³da; each of them was further divided into the  perceivable and  subtle  forms.  Thus the  six-fold manifestation of the N³dabrah® came into existence. The six line-segments  of  the swastika  symbolize this occult knowledge. In this context,  swastika 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  –  “ÌaÃdevat³tmaka®  s¿ryaraïmiktwa®”, and the ensemble of these six s¿ryaraïmi  (sunrays)  is called “swastika”.

Apart from the scriptural descriptions, the archeological findings, especially inscriptions  in the ancient caves indicate the popularity of swastika 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 dakïiñ³varta (clockwise) and the v³m³varta (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 that is used and worshipped in the Hindu religious sacraments.

The counterclockwise   swastika 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  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 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 is a vedic symbol which has acquired a rich global tradition and significance.

According to Indian Philosophy, the four arms of swastika 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 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 as the symbol of  the  Kaustubh Mani  present on  the  chest of  the embodied-manifestations of God Vishnu.

In Jainism, swastika is revered  as the symbol associated with the seventh tirthankar Suparshvanath. The followers  of Jain religion regard the four sides of the swastika as symbolizing the four possible places  where one could be reborn or reside after death. These abodes  are described   as –  the animal or plant kingdom, the earth, jºv³tm³ (soul in the subtle body that awaits rebirth) and the hell. Imprints of swastika are found inscribed  in the Buddhist Monasteries  as well. It can also be found in the houses of the Lamas and in some temples in Tibet. In the views of George Birdwood, the Buddhist symbol of the wheel (lifecycle), the cross of Greece, and the swastika, all symbolize the sun. He further refers swastika  as  among the most ancient symbols that contains sublime implications.

Prof.  Maxmuller is among the noted European  scholars, who had studied Sanskrit language and the vedic literature and also written commentaries there on. Commenting on the global propagation of the swastika  symbol, he once wrote in a letter to Dr. Schloman indicating  that – this vedic symbol could be found in Rome, Milan, Pompia perhaps in almost every part of Italy, in some ancient cities of England, at several places in Hungary,  Greece, China, and in many other parts of the world.  He has also supported  the views of E. Thomas, where  the latter has described  swastika as a symbol of the continuous motion of the sun (and the solar system).

Prof.  D.  A.  Mackenjee throws  light  on  several other implications of this vedic symbol. His studies indicate that apart from being an important sign or code in the ancient Indian astrological and astronomical formulae, the swastika was also used as a symbol  describing   multiple meanings, such as  –  the  birth-cycle, a  flying bird,  and all-round progress. It was a useful sign in commercial records in the ancient times and a symbol  of fire, electricity, lightening, water, magnet, etc. Yet another western researcher opines that swastika, the symbol of auspiciousness and well-being, as designed  by the Indian rishis (sages) of the Vedic Age, was  well  received and  recognized by the  different civilizations across  the globe who adopted it  in various forms of  similar designs. He views that  this  symbol, likewise the other marks of the Vedic Culture,  carries the spirit of enlightening thoughts and wisdom, the flow of which is eternal like that of the divine values of this culture.

Many more aspects of knowledge, deeper meanings and philosophical teachings and feelings and effects might have been folded in the distinctive and comprehensive design of swastika.   But   at   the  core  of  it   lies   the  spirit   of auspiciousness  and wellbeing of every individual, every family, society, nation, and the whole creation. It therefore continues to be of universal significance and reverence. What is required is that we grasp its implications and adapt them in all walks of life. Let the auspicious sentiments and teachings encoded in  the  swastika  be expressed  in  our  aspirations, thoughts and deeds. Let swastika not only be worshipped in our shrines, let it also be enshrined in our hearts and minds as the spirit and light of saintly sentiments, knowledge and wisdom.

Source –

A Compilation of Articles from “Akhand Jyoti”

Editors:
Dr. Pranav Pandya
Shri Shambhudass

Publishers
Shri Vedmata Gayatri Trust
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