Sanatana Dharma And Its Inherent Symbolism
The Great Sanatana Dharma is replete with symbolism. No other religion in the world has used symbolism as effectively as the followers of the Sanatana sect. Most of these symbols are representative of the philosophies and teachings of the ancient scriptures that paved the way for the greater good of humanity. There are two general categories or branches of Sanatana symbols. Hand gestures and the positioning of the body are called “mudras” while icons and drawings are called “murti.” Our sages and seers had the farsightedness of the fact that it will be easy for people to connect with imagery and symbolism, this is why they based the entire Sanatana Dharma on symbolic principles so that people could learn and imbibe great values from their religion. Have a look at the major Sanatana symbols that have become an integral part of the Hindu religion.
Aum
The Aum is the most universal of Hindu symbols and its sound is used in meditation. In Sanatana Dharma, the word “Om” is the first syllable in every prayer. The chant of Aum is considered to be deeply pious and powerful which purges the mind and soul. It is believed that Aum is responsible for the inception of the universe. Everything in the universe is the manifestation of Aum and as per the Vedanta, the sound of Aum is all-pervading and continues to echo in the universe. If it stops even for a second, the entire universe will collapse. Some people say that this symbol represents the three aspects of God: the Brahma (A), the Vishnu (U), and the Shiva (M). It is the perfect symbol of creation, manifestation, and destruction. Its correct pronunciation is Aum, not OM.
The Swastika
The swastika is a sign of luck and fortune in Hindu mythology. The swastika represents honesty, truth, purity, and stability. Its four angles or points also symbolize the four directions or Vedas. The root of Swastik is su + us su means welfare and us means existence. Invoking the Swastik Yantra brings glory, prosperity, progress, and success.
The Tilak
This symbol is often placed on the forehead of a Hindu devotee. The Tilaka is different from the bindi worn by Hindu women and has great spiritual importance. The tilaka comes in many different shapes, depending on the custom or religious affair. As per geometry, every drawn line is a string of points so the tilak is placed in the center point of the forehead, which invokes inner strength and energy. Wearing a tilak on the forehead is believed to bring positive vibes to the wearer.
Dhvaja
Dhvaja, or ‘flag,’ is the orange or red banner that waves above temples, at festivals, and in processions. It is a symbol of victory, a signal to all that “Sanatana Dharma shall prevail.” The saffron and red color of the Sanatana Dharma flag symbolizes the glow and life-giving power of the Sun which is the reason for the existence of the entire mankind.
The Trishula
Trishula or the Trident is a prominent Sanatana symbol that is associated with Lord Shiva. This three-pronged symbol is usually viewed as a weapon used by Shiva for the protection and restoration of Dharma, it has far deeper and philosophic meaning. It is representative of the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh and stands for the balance between the forces of creation, preservation, and destruction. It is also considered symbolic of the three Gunas — Sattva, Raja and Tama. The Trishula also symbolizes the three time zones- past, present, and future.
Tripundra
The Tripundra is a prominent Hindu symbol that is used by the devotees of Lord Shiva. Tripundra is a tilak, with three horizontal lines made from Bhasma or sacred ash applied on the forehead. It may have a red dot or Bindu in the center. Some Shiva followers also draw the three ash strips of Tripundra on the sides of their arms. The Tripundra represents the three godly forces of creation, sustenance, and destruction through the three lines, while the ashes symbolize purification and burning away of Anava (ego), Maya (illusions), and karma (actions/deeds). The dot is symbolic of spiritual insight.
Jyoti
Ancient sages worshipped ‘Jyoti’ as it was considered to be the purest thing because it consumes all impurities, yet it remains pure. Darkness was lurking on the face of the earth and the only source of light were the Sun and the Moon. The discovery of fire changed the order of the society and people moved forward to the path of light and development. A diya or Jyoti is considered to be highly sacred as its flame is purgatory. A Diya can light up another Diya which none of the electric bulbs can do. Thus diya is an important symbol in Sanatana Dharma which represents light, knowledge, and self-annihilation for the welfare of others.
