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Video: Symbols of Hinduism: description, meaning
2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11
Striving to get an education, a person wants to become more perfect. The study of religion and its symbols contributes to his spiritual growth. People often wonder why the god in Hinduism has so many faces and so many different names. In Hinduism, a person comprehends a single divine principle, or Brahman, through its many manifestations. The central theme of Hinduism is the knowledge of God, i.e., the knowledge of a person of his divine nature, and the symbols of Hinduism have only an auxiliary value in this process.
Ohm
The sacred syllable Om is a symbol of Hinduism, helping to comprehend the divine principle. It is always placed before the names of all deities and is said at the beginning of each mantra, enhancing its effect. The sound components of the syllable Om represent the three hypostases of the supreme god - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. From the syllable Om arise not only all alphabets, but also all knowledge. The five elements of nature also emerged from this sound.
Gayatri
For Hindus, the most important mantra is the Gayatri mantra, which is first mentioned in the Rig Veda. Goddess Gayatri -the main deity of this mantra, consisting of 24 syllables. The main deity here is Savitar. The Supreme Being who is the creator of this universe, the physical sun of our planetary system, and the spiritual sun residing in everyone's heart. Thinking about Savitar and praying to him to direct our minds to the knowledge of the truth is complete surrender to the god, through whose grace self-knowledge is possible. The constant repetition of this mantra with maximum concentration on its meaning leads to the knowledge of the transcendental Brahman.
Swastika
The swastika is another widespread symbol that is often depicted in Hindu temples and in front of altars. It is the emblem of the sun with its rays and symbolizes the sacred fire of truth, which a person must kindle within himself. In addition, the swastika was also considered as a symbol of fertility in Hinduism. The word "swastika" in translation means "to do good." The swastika is of two types - moving clockwise, which indicates creation, and counterclockwise, which indicates destruction. This symbol of Hinduism symbolizes the wheel of the world, which is constantly changing, revolving around the unshakable center - God. The swastika signs depicted on the walls and doors of houses are designed to protect them from both evil spirits and the destructive forces of nature.
Sri Yantra
Another sacred symbol of the Buddhist faith. The supreme god is represented here by a central dot, symbolizing the highestconsciousness. Two triangles penetrating each other mean the union of Shiva and Shakti - the balance of static and dynamic energy in the Universe. The 43 triangles formed by the intersection of the 9 triangles represent everything that is trinitarian in nature. Three tenses - past, present and future. The three states of consciousness are waking, dreaming and deep sleep. The outer circles with 8 and 16 petals, which are in a square with gaps on each side, represent certain forces invoked in the process of worship. Worshiping the Sri Yantra through its graphic image, consisting of straight and curved lines, we gain unity with the universe, deities and, ultimately, with higher consciousness.
Lotus
Lotus is a symbol of faith in Hinduism, a symbol of purity, which is unable to stain the surrounding dirt. It represents spiritual development. The lotus, the most beautiful of flowers, also symbolizes the heart, the most important organ of the human body. A person who worships a deity meditates on his image, placing it in the lotus of the heart - the source of life itself. Lotuses, symbolizing the centers of spiritual energy, are located both outside and inside the human body. Hindus believe that there are seven main energy centers in the human body. When spiritual energy awakens in a person, he is able to work miracles. Awakened energy moves up the spiritual channel along the spine to the top of the head.
Introduction tosymbols of Hinduism helps spiritually aspiring people to know the higher reality behind them.
Ganesha
Worship of God Ganesha is present in all areas of Hinduism. Since he has the power to remove all obstacles, he is worshiped before starting any work. Followers of Ganapati believe that Om, as a symbol of God, is embodied in the image of Ganesha. Behind the sound of Om, which gives birth to the entire Universe, Ganesha appeared in the light of the first dawn. Then Ganesha called to himself Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva to perform their functions of creation, maintenance and destruction of the Universe through the perfection and wisdom that he endowed them with. In addition to the ecological explanation of the images and attributes of Ganesha, the symbolism contained in his image carries deep philosophical truths. The most expressive feature of Ganesha is his huge body, symbolizing the universe.
The head of the Elephant symbolizes a good beginning, courage and strength of the intellect. Ganesha's big ears are like baskets, which, as it were, sift the grain from the chaff in order to convey the truth to the worshipers of God. Ears also indicate the ability to listen. Physical truths can only be comprehended by sitting at the feet of a teacher and listening to his words. The wisdom needed to comprehend the truth is symbolized by the large head of Ganesha. The deity is usually depicted with four arms. One hand makes a blessing gesture. In the other he holds a sweet, symbolizing the sweetness of man's knowledge of his nature. In the third hand - a semicircular hatchet, and in the fourth - a lasso.
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