SWASTIKA: THE SYMBOL OF FAITH AND WORSHIP

Swastika is considered as the powerful symbol known worldwide. It looks like asquare cross whose arms are bent at right angles. Swastika is linked with the celestial order and steadiness and originates from the Sanskrit language. It is privileged by various cultures and religions as a symbol of universal welfare.

Now if we are considering the Indian perspective then we can say that Swastika isconnected with positivism and as an emblem of the sun, life, authority, power, and destiny. According to Vedic Astrology it is not only considered auspicious but also is known as asign of harmony and calmness. All most all other religions decorate their place of worship with this auspicious symbol expect Islam. Swastika is fairly considered a way of paying tribute to the Sun God and it is considered as solar symbol because it is drawn with its arms pointing in a clockwise direction. According to Vedic Astrology we are associated with Swastika with Lord Ganesha given that it symbolizes his palm.

CREATION OF SWASTIKA

Vedic astrology says that the initial signs of Swastika were found in the Euphrates-Tigris valley and the Indus valley. The Sumerians also have used the swastika, but not either of their successors. Sign of Swastika was also common in Greece during ancient times and in Iran, China, India, Japan, and Southern Europe, the swastika was used well before the birth of Christ. Conversely, many of the Indian tribes in the southern parts of North America started using the sign after the onset of the first Spanish explorers. After the birth of Christ, Swastika lost its status in most of Europe, except in Nordic countries. Slowly it became popular as a sign representing Buddha and thus was considered anti-Christian.

SPIRITUAL REPRESENTATION

HINDUISM

As we see that Swastika points in all four directions, it meanssteadiness and strength to all of us. It is measuredtremendously holy and auspicious by all Hindus. It is religiously used to decorate items related to Hindu culture. It is commonly seen on the sides of temples, religious scriptures and entry of all Hindu’s home. It is also used in Hindu weddings, festivals, ceremonies, houses and doorways. Although it is very auspicious but unlike Om symbol, which represents primeval tone, the Swastika is a pure geometrical mark and has no syllabic tone with it but it is respected and worshipped in all occasions.

BUDDHISM

Buddhism originated in the Indian subcontinent in the 5th century BC, it accepted Manji. It is sign which is closely resemble with Swastika. The symbol marks the start of many Buddhist scriptures and appears on the chest of few statues of Lord Buddha. Since the right-facing of swastika is related with Nazism, Buddhist Manji (baring India) after the mid-20th century is almost universally left-facing: spent by strict Buddhists. It is also often sewn into the collars of Chinese children's clothing to protect them from evil spirits.

JAINISM

Swastika support more importance in Jainism than in Hinduism. It represents the seventh Saints, the TirthankaraSuparsva. It is also one of the symbols of the Ashta-Mangalas in the Swetambar Jain tradition. You can see all the Jain temples and holy books containing the swastika on them and marks to be one of the 24 auspicious marks and the emblem of the present age. One more important thing is that their various ceremonies also begin and end with drawing of swastika mark with rice in front of idols in a temple. So it is really very auspicious and worshipped symbol everywhere all over India.