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ANKUSA (ANKUSHA): The goad (hook) held in Lord Ganesha's right hand,
is used to remove obstacles from dharma's path.
It is the force by which all wrongful things are
repelled from us, the sharp prod which spurs the
dullards onward. The ankusa is a hook-like instrument
used as a goad to ride an elephant. It symbolizes
discrimination, which can pierce through delusions. It
is said that Vinayagar removes obstacles and
troubles in our path using the ankusa. He helps us be
rid of delusions. In Buddhism, it is considered a hook
with which one can draw people in doubt to the
teachings.
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AUM (OM / PRANAVA): The root mantra and soundless sound from which
all creation issues forth. It is associated with Lord
Ganesha. Its three- syllables stand at the beginning
and end of every sacred verse and every human act.
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BILVA: The bael tree. Its fruit, flowers and leaves
are all sacred to Siva, liberation's summit. Planting
Aegle marmelos trees around home or temple is
sanctifying, as is worshiping a Linga with
bilva leaves and water.
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BRAHMAN BULL: One of India's favorite sacred animals. It is
depicted on the official state seal and is considered a
symbol of happiness and strength.
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CHAKRA: Means "wheel", is the circle of time, symbol of
perfect creation, of the cycles of existence. Time and
space are interwoven, and eight spokes mark the
directions, each ruled by a Deity and having a unique
quality.
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CHANDRA-SURYA: Chandra is the moon, ruler of the watery
realms and of emotion, testing place of migrating souls.
Surya is the sun, ruler of intellect, source of
truth. One is pingala and lights the day; the
other is ida and lights the night.
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DHARMA (DHARMACHAKRA): Buddhist emblem of Hindu origin. It
resembles a wagon wheel with eight spokes, each
representing one of the eight tenets of Buddhist belief.
The circle symbolizes the completeness of the Dharma,
the spokes represent the eightfold path leading to
enlightenment.
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DHAVJA: The orange or red banner (flag) flown above
temples, at festivals and in processions. It is a symbol
of victory, signal to all "Sanatana Dharma shall
prevail". Its bold color betokens sun's life giving
glow.
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DIYA: A popular type of candle used during Diwali
the "Festival of Lights".
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GAJA: The elephant, king of beasts and sign of royalty and
power He is Indra's mount, denoting the dominion
of Heaven's King. In large Hindu temples and elaborate
festive pageantry there is always a noble elephant.
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GHANTA: The bell used in ritual puja, which engages
all senses, including hearing. Its ringing summons the
Gods, stimulates the inner ear and reminds us that, like
sound, the world may be perceived but not possessed.
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GO: The cow, is a symbol of the earth, the nourisher, the
ever-giving, undemanding provider. She is symbolic of
abundance, of the sanctity of all life and of the earth
that gives much while asking nothing in return. To the
Hindu, all animals are sacred, and they acknowledge this
reverence of life in their special affection for the
gentle cow. Indian scriptures tell us that the cow is a
gift of the gods to the human race.
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GOPURA: The towering stone gateways through which pilgrims
enter the South Indian temple. Richly ornamented with
myriad sculptures of the divine pantheon, their tiers
symbolize the, several planes of existence.
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HAMAKUNDA (HOMAKUNDA): The fire alter, is the symbol of
ancient Vedic rites. It is through the fire
element denoting divine consciousness, that we make
offerings to the Gods. Hindu sacraments are solemnized
before the fire.
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HAMSA HAND:
In India, the hamsa is intended to ward off evil,
specifically the evil eye, by deflecting the malign
force downward into the earth, as a lightning rod
diverts electricty. According to one tradition, the five
fingers of the hamsa represent our five limbs, arms,
legs, and head, the power of the enlightened being.
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HAMSA SWAN:
Vehicle of Brahma, is the swan (more accurately, the
wild goose Aser indicus). It is a noble
symbol for the soul, Paramahamsa, winging high
above the mundane and diving straight to the goal.
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HOLY ASH (BHASMA / VIBUTI): The three bands one could see
on the foreheads of the gods and goddesses. This three
bands are worn by the Shaivites and the other
religions in that family (shakta, kaumara,
ganapatya). As the God appeared as a Supreme
Flame, in the Shaivite religion, (refer to lingam)
Ash becomes the symbol that indicates the association
with that param jyoti (Supreme flame).
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JAGANNATHA (JAGANNATH): Means “Lord of the World” in
Sanskrit, The name by which the Hindu god Krishna
is worshiped at Puri, Orissa, and at
Ballabhpur, West Bengal. The 12th-century
temple of Jagannath in Puri towers above the town. The
temple houses the rough-hewn wooden idols that represent
Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra (also known as
Balarama), and his sister.
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KALASHA (KALESH): A husked coconut circled by five mango
leaves on a pot, is used in puja to represent any
God, especially Lord Ganesha. Breaking a coconut
before His shrine is the ego's shattering to reveal the
sweet fruit inside.
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KALACHAKRA: Means "wheel, or circle, of time," is the
symbol of perfect creation, of the cycles of existence.
Time and space are interwoven, and eight spokes mark the
directions, each ruled by a Deity and having a unique
quality.
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KAMANDALU: The water vessel, is carried by the Hindu
monastic. It symbolizes his simple, self-contained life,
his freedom from worldly needs, his constant sadhana
and tapas, and his oath to seek God everywhere.
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KONRAI: Golden Shower, blossoms are the flowering
symbol of Shiva's honeyed grace in our life, Associated
with His shrines and temples throughout India, the
Cassia fistula is landed in numberless
Tirumurai hymns.
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KUTTUVILAKU: The standing oil lamp, symbolizes the
dispelling of ignorance and awakening of the divine
light within us. Its soft glow illumines the temple or
shrine room, keeping the atmosphere pure and serene.
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LINGAM: The prime symbol of worship for Shaivites.
(In fact the name itself means symbol). This is broad in
the middle and conical towards the top. This is the form
of flame. In Shaivite philosophy the God is formless.
Due to the Grace on the souls for the easy comprehension
of the Divine and liberation the God appeared in the
form of a Flame. This flame is what is worshiped as
lingam in stone and other forms that make the worship
easier. This is considered more sacrad than form worship
by Shaivites.
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MAHAKALA: Means "Great Time", presides above creation's
golden arch. Devouring instants and eons, with a
ferocious face, He is Time beyond time, reminder of this
world's transfigurement, that sin and suffering will
pass.
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MANDALA: A circular, mystic diagram without beginning or
end which indicates the higher and the lower and other
possibilities; upon which one meditates. A tapestry,
picture or grouping of words used in meditation to enter
the realms depicted.
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MANKOLAM: The pleasing paisley design, is modeled after a
mango and associated with Lord Ganesha. Mangos
are the sweetest of fruits, symbolizing auspiciousness
and the happy fulfillment of legitimate worldly desires.
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MALA: A strand of beads for holy recitation, japa, usually
made of rudraksha, tulasi, sandalwood or crystal. Also a
flower garland.
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MAYURA (MAYIL): Or "peacock" is lord Murugan's mount, swift
beautiful like Kartikeya Himself. The proud
display of dancing peacock symbolizes religion in full,
unfolded glory. His shrill cry warns of approaching
harm.
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MODAKA: A round, lemon-sized sweet made of rice, coconut,
sugar and spices, is a favorite treat of Ganesha.
Esoterically, it corresponds to siddhi
(attainment or fulfillment), the gladdening contentment
of pure joy.
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MUDRA: Hand gestures employed in sacred dance and puja
to focus the mind on abstract matters and to charge the
body with spiritual power. This is chinmudra, the
gesture of realization, reflection and silent teaching
and comes from the Buddhist influence.
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MUSHIKA: Our Lord Ganesha's mount, the mouse,
traditionally associated with abundance in family life.
Under cover of darkness, seldom visible yet always at
work, Mushika is like God's unseen grace in our
lives.
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NAGA: The cobra, is a symbol of kundalini power,
cosmic energy coiled and slumbering within man. It
inspires seekers to overcome misdeeds and suffering by
lifting the serpent power up the spine into
God-Realization.
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NANDI: The Lord Shiva's mount, or vahana. This huge
white bull with a black tail, whose name means "joyful"
is disciplined animalism kneeling at Shiva's feet , the
ideal devotee, the pure joy and strength of Saiva
Dharma.
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NATRAJA (NATARAJA): The Lord Shiva as "King of Dance".
Carved in stone or caste in bronze. His ananda
tandava, the fierce ballet of bliss, dances the
cosmos into and out of existence within the fiery arch
of flames which denote consciousness.
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PADMA (LOTUS): The lotus flower, Nelumbo nucifera,
perfection of beauty, associated with Deities and the
chakras, especially the I ,000 petalled sahasrara.
Rooted in the mud, its blossom is a promise of purity
and enfoldment.
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PASHA: A tether or noose, represents the soul's three-fold
bondage of anava, karma and maya.
Pasha is the all-important force or fetter by which God
(Pati, envisioned as a cowherd) brings souls (pashu,
or cows) along the path to truth.
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RUDRAKSHA (RUDRAXA): The seeds, Eleocarpus ganitrus, are
prized as the compassionate tears Lord Shiva shed for
mankind's suffering. Shaivites wear malas
of them always as a symbol of god's love, chanting
symbol of God's love, chanting on each bead. Rudra + Axa
translates to the eye of rudra.
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SEVAL: The noble red rooster who heralds each dawn, calling
all to awake and arise. He is a symbol of the imminence
of imminence of spiritual enfoldment and wisdom. This
fighting cock bravely crows from Lord Skanda's
battle flag.
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SHANKHA (SHANKA CHAKRA): The water-born conch, symbolizes the origin of
existence, which evolves in spiraling spheres. In
ancient days it signaled battle's victory. In the Lord's
hands it is our protection inner from evil, sounding the
sacred Nadi.
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SHATKONA: A "six-pointed star", is two interlocking
triangles; the upper stands for Shiva, purusha and fire,
the lower for Shakti, prakriti and water Their union
gives birth to Sanat Kumara, whose sacred number
is six.
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SHIKARA: The massive superstructure which above the
cave-like sanctuaries of temples in India. It is a
living model of Mount Meru, the center universe
where the themselves reside.
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SHRI GANESH (LORD GANESHA): The Lord of Obstacles and Ruler
of Dharma. Seated upon His throne, He guides our
karmas through creating and removing obstacles
from our path. We seek his permission and blessings in
every undertaking.
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SHRI PADUKA (TIRUVADI): The sacred sandals worn by saints,
sages and Satgurus, symbolize the preceptor's
holy feet, which are the source of his grace.
Prostrating before him, we humbly touch his feet for
release from worldliness.
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SHRI CHURNA: The vertical three lines (or at times single
red line) that is worn by the Vaishnavites is called
Shri Churna. The two outer lines will be in the white
color and the middle one in the red. The red line is
normally with kumkum or the red sand at the base of the
tulsi plant.
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SHIVLIGA (SIVALINGA / SHIVA LINGA): Is the an mark or symbol of God. This
elliptical stone is a formless form betokening
Parasiva. That which can never be described or
portrayed. The pedestal called pitha, represents
manifest Parashakti.
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SWASTIKA: The symbol of fortune - literally "It is well".
The right-angled arms of this ancient sun sign denote
the indirect way that Divinity is apprehended: by
intuition and not by intellect.
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TILAKA: This is the dot most of the Hindus have at the
eye-brow junction. This could be of sandal or red kumkum
or a mix of both. This junction is one of the very
significant chakra, called in spiritual terms AGYA
chakra. This is a very sensitive point. So the tilaka is
kept at this point.
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TRIKONA: The triangle, is a symbol of God Siva which, like
the Sivalinga, denotes His Absolute Being. It
represents the element fire and portrays the process of
spiritual ascent and liberation spoken of in scripture.
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TRIPINDA (TRIPUNDRA, THIRD EYE): The Saivite's great
mark, three stripes of white vibhuti on the brow.
This holy ash signifies purity and the burning away of
anava, karma and maya. The bindu,
or dot, at the third eye quickens spiritual insight.
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TRISHUL (TRISHULA): Shiva's trident, carried by Himalayan
yogis, is the royal scepter of the Saiva Dharma.
Its triple prongs betoken desire, action and wisdom;
ida, pingala and sushumna; and the
three gunas - sattva, rajas and
tamas.
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URDVAPUNDRA: Is the royal mark upon the forehead of
Vaishnavities. Two white lines are Vishnu's
footprint resting upon a lotus base, The red represents
Lakshmi. Thus the Lord's lowest part is worshiped
on our highest.
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VAJRA (DORJE): The word for the ritual implement held in
the lama's right hand has been translated as thunderbolt
but also diamond. The Sanskrit word vajra means
adamantine, that is, "diamond-like." Therefore,
besides being able to dent any object and overwhelm with
its incomparable brilliance, the vajra or dorje
represents great durability -- a hardness plus an
immutability that is practically eternal.
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VATA: The Banyan tree, Ficus indicus symbolizes
Hinduism, branches out in all directions draws from many
spreads shade far and wide, yet stems from one great
Shiva as Silent Sage sits it.
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VEL: Lord Murugan's holy lance, is His protective
power, our safeguard in adversity. It's tip Is wide,
long and sharp, signifying incisive discrimination and
spiritual knowledge, which must be broad, deep and
penetrating.
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YANTRA: The Tantric Symbol of Cosmic Unity. A visual
symbol traditionally used in the East as a centering
device for meditation.
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