|| The Swastika: Tracing Its Ancient Origins, Significance, And Its Relation With ॐ And Hitler ||
Meaning-
Swastika (स्वस्तिक) = Su (सु) + Asti (अस्ति) + Ka(क)
• Su(सु) means Shubh(शुभ) i.e auspicious or welfare
• Asti(अस्ति) means to be/happen or exist. It stands for power or existence.
• Ka(क) stands for doer or performer i.e Karta(कर्ता)
So, Swasti means "be Auspicious" or "be Welfare" and Swastika means "Auspicious/Welfare Doer." It is also believed to be a symbol of good, auspicious, and welfare from ancient times.
History-
Throughout the journey of Swastika from its origin to the present day, the Swastika has encountered a multitude of mysteries and fragmented evidence spanning different eras of civilization. According to a research publication by IIT Kharagpur (see picture 2), "the Vedas make mention of various forms of the Swastika. For instance, Rig Veda 1.89.6 briefly introduces Swastika's cosmic significance, with higher-level entities like Indra, Pusha, Tarksya, and Brihaspati representing the macrocosmic level, while individuals seek their blessings at the microcosmic level. Additionally, Rishi Lusha Dhanaka explains the diverse manifestations of the Swastika in Rig Veda's 10:35 and 36 Suktas."
The earliest recorded Swastikas in India, in their graphic form, can be found on the seals of the Indus Valley civilization. The epic of Ramayana also mentions the symbol, which was embossed on the boat that ferried Prabhu Ram. Likewise, the Mahabharata describes the Chakra-Vyuha or Swastika maze.
However, the oldest known figurine carved with a recognizable Swastika, dating back to 10,000-13,000 BCE, was discovered in Mezine, Ukraine.
The Swastika has been used in the Balkans for at least 8,000 years. Furthermore, the Indus-Saraswati civilization extensively employed the Swastika, with archaeological evidence dating back to at least 4,000 BCE. Additionally, the Swastika found usage in various other regions, such as China, Tibet, America, Korea, Mongolia, Japan, and Australia.
Structure and Significance: There are majorly 2 types of Swastika:
1. Right (卐)
2. Left (卍)
Swastika is made of two lines, both lines are drawn and divided at right angles and the heads/terminals of them are stretched in left to right direction in such a way that they don't touch/meet.
Symbolism and beliefs:
Right Swastika is a symbol of Nar & Left Swastika is a symbol of Nari.
• The horizontal lines of Swastika is a symbol of creation of universe or Jyotirlinga & vertical lines is a symbol of expansion of the Universe.
• The center point of Swastika is believed to be नाभि कमल i.e Navel Lotus of Bhagwan Vishnu from where the Universe is originated.
Only right Swastika is almost used and reverse (left) Swastika is believed inauspicious sometime.
In Hinduism Swastikas are drawn before starting any work with a belief that work will be good, auspicious & welfare.
Four lines are symbol of as follows:
• Four head of Brahma
• Four Vedas
• Four infinite directions
• Four types of welfare/auspicious
• Four Ashram, Varna or Purushartha
Besides, Swastika has also very significance in Jyotisha and Vastu Shashtra.
Swastika & Om:
The syllable "ॐ" can be represented in the form of the script "卐." Scholars suggest that during the early stages of script development, it was initially created in a linear form rather than a circular one. As the transformation or conversion of "ॐ" into script took place, the natural formation of the symbol "卐" emerged.
Similar to the profound qualities attributed to "Om," which is believed to encompass divine virtues, auspiciousness, and the ability to dispel disturbances (Vighnaharta), with the power of creation (Utpatti), sustenance (Sthiti), and dissolution (Laya), the Swastika is also believed to possess the divine essence (Paramatma) with its power of creation, sustenance, and dissolution. However, it is considered to hold a secondary or lesser significance compared to the primacy of "AUM."
Association with Hitler:
It might be surprising to learn that Adolf Hitler himself never referred to his symbol as the swastika. Instead, he adopted it from Christianity, where it was known as the "hooked cross." The association of the swastika with Hitler occurred only when his book "Mein Kampf," originally written in German, was translated into English by James Murphy, who replaced the term "hooked cross" with "swastika." (see pic 4 and 5)
Meaning-
Swastika (स्वस्तिक) = Su (सु) + Asti (अस्ति) + Ka(क)
• Su(सु) means Shubh(शुभ) i.e auspicious or welfare
• Asti(अस्ति) means to be/happen or exist. It stands for power or existence.
• Ka(क) stands for doer or performer i.e Karta(कर्ता)
So, Swasti means "be Auspicious" or "be Welfare" and Swastika means "Auspicious/Welfare Doer." It is also believed to be a symbol of good, auspicious, and welfare from ancient times.
History-
Throughout the journey of Swastika from its origin to the present day, the Swastika has encountered a multitude of mysteries and fragmented evidence spanning different eras of civilization. According to a research publication by IIT Kharagpur (see picture 2), "the Vedas make mention of various forms of the Swastika. For instance, Rig Veda 1.89.6 briefly introduces Swastika's cosmic significance, with higher-level entities like Indra, Pusha, Tarksya, and Brihaspati representing the macrocosmic level, while individuals seek their blessings at the microcosmic level. Additionally, Rishi Lusha Dhanaka explains the diverse manifestations of the Swastika in Rig Veda's 10:35 and 36 Suktas."
The earliest recorded Swastikas in India, in their graphic form, can be found on the seals of the Indus Valley civilization. The epic of Ramayana also mentions the symbol, which was embossed on the boat that ferried Prabhu Ram. Likewise, the Mahabharata describes the Chakra-Vyuha or Swastika maze.
However, the oldest known figurine carved with a recognizable Swastika, dating back to 10,000-13,000 BCE, was discovered in Mezine, Ukraine.
The Swastika has been used in the Balkans for at least 8,000 years. Furthermore, the Indus-Saraswati civilization extensively employed the Swastika, with archaeological evidence dating back to at least 4,000 BCE. Additionally, the Swastika found usage in various other regions, such as China, Tibet, America, Korea, Mongolia, Japan, and Australia.
Structure and Significance: There are majorly 2 types of Swastika:
1. Right (卐)
2. Left (卍)
Swastika is made of two lines, both lines are drawn and divided at right angles and the heads/terminals of them are stretched in left to right direction in such a way that they don't touch/meet.
Symbolism and beliefs:
Right Swastika is a symbol of Nar & Left Swastika is a symbol of Nari.
• The horizontal lines of Swastika is a symbol of creation of universe or Jyotirlinga & vertical lines is a symbol of expansion of the Universe.
• The center point of Swastika is believed to be नाभि कमल i.e Navel Lotus of Bhagwan Vishnu from where the Universe is originated.
Only right Swastika is almost used and reverse (left) Swastika is believed inauspicious sometime.
In Hinduism Swastikas are drawn before starting any work with a belief that work will be good, auspicious & welfare.
Four lines are symbol of as follows:
• Four head of Brahma
• Four Vedas
• Four infinite directions
• Four types of welfare/auspicious
• Four Ashram, Varna or Purushartha
Besides, Swastika has also very significance in Jyotisha and Vastu Shashtra.
Swastika & Om:
The syllable "ॐ" can be represented in the form of the script "卐." Scholars suggest that during the early stages of script development, it was initially created in a linear form rather than a circular one. As the transformation or conversion of "ॐ" into script took place, the natural formation of the symbol "卐" emerged.
Similar to the profound qualities attributed to "Om," which is believed to encompass divine virtues, auspiciousness, and the ability to dispel disturbances (Vighnaharta), with the power of creation (Utpatti), sustenance (Sthiti), and dissolution (Laya), the Swastika is also believed to possess the divine essence (Paramatma) with its power of creation, sustenance, and dissolution. However, it is considered to hold a secondary or lesser significance compared to the primacy of "AUM."
Association with Hitler:
It might be surprising to learn that Adolf Hitler himself never referred to his symbol as the swastika. Instead, he adopted it from Christianity, where it was known as the "hooked cross." The association of the swastika with Hitler occurred only when his book "Mein Kampf," originally written in German, was translated into English by James Murphy, who replaced the term "hooked cross" with "swastika." (see pic 4 and 5)
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