IMAGE

and the

MESSAGE
Q 1. How did the word GOD come about?
A: GOD is a word derived from GOvinD. Govind is a compound word Go + vind, meaning the cause (seed / vind) for creation (Go / world). Go has several meanings and in the context of derivation of the word God, one also interpret God as the one who is invoked.

can

The English word God has its roots in the Indo_Germanic term uan. The earliest written form of the Germanic word god comes from the 6th century Christian Codex Argenteus. Most linguists agree that the reconstructed Proto-Indo-European form hu-t-m was based on the root hau()-, which meant either "to call" or "to invoke". It will of interest to note that the Tamil word for invocation is Koovudal.

Q 2: Why do the Tamils call God as KADAVUL?

A: The word KADAVUL is abbreviation of KADARNDHU VULLAVAR. The Upanishads say that Brahmam is beyond what is known and above what is not known. What is known is the world. God is in the world but is also beyond the world. What is not known is the illusory world /maya. God is above (that is, not subject to), illusion/maya. Since God is the creator of the world and is yet beyond the creation and since God is above and not conditioned by maya, he is referred to as Kadarndhu vullavar or in short Kadavul. Patanjali in his Yoga Sutra says

God is a special person Beyond affliction or action

Q 3: Why is God called Bhagavan?

A: Bhagavan literally means "possessing fortune, blessed, prosperous" (from the noun bhaga, meaning "fortune, wealth"), and hence "illustrious, divine, venerable, holy", etc. Everything in this world belongs to Him as He has manifested as everything and dwells in everybody.

Q 4: What is meant by linga? What is the significance of the elliptical shape of the linga?
A: Linga means an indicator, mark or sign. Siva linga is indicative of God. In Tamil il + ingu literally means "home is here", denoting a mound of clay Goddess Uma made to symbolize Mount Kailas and worship God Siva in it. Linga also means a "visible sign of something invisible". The Linga also means, that in which this Jagat (world of change) attains Laya or mergence or dissolution (Leeyate).. Before the formation of the universe all the components were said to have been in the shape of an elliptoid. On dissolution of the universe, just before eventual merger with God, it is said that the formation will be like that of an elliptoid once again Elliptoid shape is indicative of emergence and dissolution and of course reemergence too. Elliptoid signifies that which has neither any beginning nor an end. It is unlimited and never-ending. The Linga is referred to as Vaykta-Avaykta meaning it is neither of the manifest world nor is it totally unmanifest. Known as Rupa-Arupa, meaning with form and without form; the perfect balance for a man to worship. The Shiva Linga is the perfect balance between the two, being neither of this world nor that. To worship an idol with all regular parts belongs to this world and to worship the totally un-manifest God takes time. The Shiva Linga is elliptical in shape, only half the ellipse is visible to us, showing that this created world is 3

only a part of God and there is much more to Him beyond this created world. An ellipse is but another form of a circle, when the centre of the circle separates into two. When a circle becomes bifocal an ellipsoid is formed. It can then be said that when the perfect circle is split into two an ellipsoid is formed yet retaining some of the perfection of the circle. A circle is the most appropriate geometrical representation of God. The circle neither has a beginning nor end. The distance from the centre of the circle to the surface is always the same. therefore the split circle or the ellipse represents the Shiva-Shakti tattva. Shiva Linga stands as a sign of this. If you see a flame in the lamp, it is similar to the Linga form, Shiva is that light without a beginning or end. He is that glorious eternal light and a Linga represents that. The linga finds mention in the Upanishads Avyakteshu parah purusho vyapako Linga yeva cha
(Katha Upanishad)

Na

cheshita

naiva

cha

tasya

Lingam-

(Shvetashvetara Upanishad)

Mahadadyam Vishesantam Lingam

(Maitri Upanishad)

"Linga means a mark, in Sanskrit. It is a symbol which points to an inference. When you see a big flood in a river, you infer that there had been heavy rains the INCLUDEPICTURE "http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:K036lzzrmBR0JM:http://saranaagathi.files.wordpre previous day. When you see smoke, you infer that there is fire. This vast world of countless forms is a Linga of the omnipotent Lord." Swami Sivananda

Q 5: Often one notices a conical vessel with constantly dropping water placed on top of the Siva Linga. What does it convey?
A: The vessel, normally conical in shape, is indicative of mind. The message conveyed is that mind should be full of thoughts about God and each one of our thought should drop on (be about) God only. The conical vessel also symbolizes the constantly decreasing age since the time of birth and the need to ensure that the remaining period before death is spent only with thoughts on God and increasing the knowledge of truth by distancing from illusory world. Believers say that Siva is a rudra murthi and needs to be cooled down and hence the constant dripping of water. It is to be understood that rudra (rud+hara). Rodhana means weeping or dukha and Hara means eliminator. The root cause of all misery is ignorance. The real rodhana is therefore ajnaana, ignorance. Rudhra therefore stands for eliminator of ignorance. The root ignorance is the mistaken notion that one is his body or mind or intellect. The distancing of one from the body/mind/intellect syndrome is enabled by constant thought on the Lord. We should by dwelling our thoughts constantly on the Lord invoke Him to remove our ignorance which is the root cause of our misery.

Q 6: Why is Siva called Neelakanta? How can one swallow poison and yet hold it from going down the stomach?
A: Nilakantha: Blue throated

When the Devas and Asuras churned the ocean for amrita, first a fiery poison called halahala was produced which threatened to overcome everyone. Lord Shiva saves them by swallowing it. It got no further than his throat which turned blue in the process. Hence Lord Shiva is known as Nilakantha. During the Pralaya when the present cycle of the world is ended, He will vomit forth this poison again to destroy the world. This should not be seen as a negative thing. Just as fire burns but is also called pavaka ("purifier") because it reduces things to their essence, the pralaya is not the end of the story but the beginning of the renewal of the world and the beginning of its new cycle. It is only poison to samsara. There is an inner meaning too. Lord Shiva is Yogeshwara the lord of Yogis. It is due to His complete self-mastery that the halahala is contained in suspended animation as it were in His throat. In that state it is nether non-manifest or manifest but inert, perpetually ready to activate its potential. The halahala is also symbolic of mantras. Whereas to signify memorizing something, an English speaker might say he has it "by heart", in Sanskrit-derived languages we say it is kanthastha "in the throat" Lord Shiva has all the mantras in His throat. In the wrong hands they

are poison. In the hands of an expert, they have great power for good. While churning the ocean, several siddhis or accomplishments came out of the ocean. (read: while performing yogic tapas several attainments come on the way to Samadhi). These attainments that accrue to the spiritual seeker while he churns his mind tempt him to use them. Should he be tempted to use them he is sure to fall by the way side and slip away from his goal of Samadhi. Worshipping the master meditator Lord Siva will help him keep away from the siddhis and remain focused. The Lord will make sure that the seeker is not allowed to swallow /use the attainments.

"But just how many gods are there, Yajnavalkya?" "Thirty-three." "Yes," said he, "but just how many gods are there, Yajnavalkya?" "One..." Brhadaranyaka Upanishad III, IX,

A: The symbolism shown in Nataraja uses many subtleties to convey several messages at the same time through a single image. The dancing Nataraja is the richest and most elegant symbol of all. The Dancing Siva: Lord Siva and His counterpart Goddess Parvathi are always associated with the energy aspect of creation. Fritjof Capra, the noted physicist says, The dance of Shiva is the dancing universe, the ceaseless flow of energy going through an infinite variety of patterns that melt into one another. The dance in toto: The spiritual significance The dance in toto With his hair flying His dance is a in all directions and divine activity that hands and feet in suffers no conflicts. dynamic motion, It entertains our the image of suffering minds Nataraja is a and dispels our symbol of ignorance. harmony and rhythm. Natarajas dance depicts the continual dance of creation and destruction involving the whole cosmos; the basis of all existence and of all natural phenomenon. Ananda K. Coomaraswamy (Dance of Shiva) says: How amazing is the range of thought of the rishi-artists who 8 The limb The meaning

brought forth the image of this reality, a key to the complex tissue of life, a theory of nature, universal in appeal to the philosopher, the lover, the artist of all ages and of all countries! Here is perpetual movement, perpetually poised-- the rhythm of the spirit. There cannot be a more exact or more wise creation of the image of that Energy which Science must postulate behind all phenomena. If we would reconcile Time with Eternity, we can scarcely do so otherwise than by the conception of the alternations implied by the drum and by the fire In the night of Brahma, Nature is inert and cannot dance till Siva wills it. He rises from his rapture, and, dancing, sends through inert matter pulsing waves of awakening sound, and lo! matter also dances appearing as a glory round about Him. Dancing, He sustains its manifold phenomena. In the fullness of time, still dancing, he destroys all forms and names by fire and gives new rest. This is poetry, but none the less, science! Modern physics has revealed that every subatomic particle not only performs an energy dance, but also is an energy dance; a pulsating process of creation and destruction. For the modern physicists, then Shivas dance is the dance of subatomic matter.

Third eye: Burning away ignorance in the seeker

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Matted hair Lack of body conscious-ness Absence of false ego. Desire-lessness

The circle of fire represents the cosmos consciousness

Representing obscuring grace stands upon Apa-smara-purusha, a soul temporarily earth-bound by its own sloth, confusion and forgetfulness

The limb third eye

The meaning eye of wisdom instrument of annihilation of desires

The circle of fire represents the cosmos

The spiritual significance His three eyes represents the three worlds, the sun, the moon and the earth, the three paths of liberation and the triple nature of creation. The fiery ring surrounding , prahabhamandala, represents the universe with all its illusion, suffering and pain

Long matted hair Brahma and 10

Vishnu asked Shiva to accept the Ganga into his matted locks. Confined in Shiva's hair, Ganga lost the wild force of her flow and became a placid, lifegiving river. Apa-smarapurusha: (Sanskrit) Apa-SmaraPurusha "Forgetful person." The soul under Siva's foot of obscuring grace, depicted in numerous icons.

Absence of ego. Denotes spiritual life and His great powers

He represents ignorance and heedlessness , that the seeker initially Is.

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Upper left hand bowl of fire destruction the dissolution of form
Upper Right Hand Damaru Creation Lower Right Hand Abhaya Hasta Protection

Lower left hand gestures toward foot liberation

The limb upper right hand

The meaning Damaru

The spiritual significance from which creation issues forth signifies the evolution of the universe From sound came all language, all music, all knowledge.

The

lower right hand is raised

Abhaya Mudra The thumb represents Blessing Paramatma, Protection straight and still. The forefinger represents the Jivatma, bent and 12

joining the paramatma. When there is union, there is no second and hence no fear. the upper left hand bowl of fire The flames represent the destructive energy with which Nataraja dances at the end of each cosmic age, cleansing sins and removing illusion. varada mudras The lower left hand shows downwards indicates surrender to HIS feet in assurance that Shiva's grace is the refuge for everyone, the way to liberation.

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The uplifted left leg that releases the mature soul from bondage The right leg: representing obscuring grace stands upon Apasmara-purusha

The image The right leg representing obscuring grace stands upon Apasmarapurusha a soul temporarily earth-bound by its own sloth, confusion and forgetfulness

The message Know that you are that Apasmara purusha, You have the forgotten tat you are the Atman.

The uplifted left leg

Seek the Lords help and overcome ignorance. is revealing grace. Even as you stand firm with one foot This leg is called in the world , Kunchita-pada. Learn to raise the (Kunchita = raised, other foot away lifted or bent). from the world and releases the mature step into the realm soul from bondage. of the Real The raised foot indicates the fourth state beyond these three and that is why it is indicated by His own left index finger of the right hand as the only refuge. 14

Q 8: What do Tiger Skin, Trident and Cobra represent?

A: The image The deer / tiger skin Felled desire signifies supreme renunciation The message Do not be too attached to the world of sense objects. Learn to detach. The cobra around kundalini shakti Nataraja's neck The snake symbolically Practice upasana represents control and gain control over desire and over desire and sensuality. sensuality Cosmic power resident within all The tiger skin Destruction of rajasic quality Gain control over symbolically animal nature / signifies His ability rajasic guna. to control and transform animal nature Raising of Practice kundalini shakthi, pranayama The the centre of the And subdue the trident by qualities of Rajas, 15

trident

Crescent on Shivas head

regulation of inhalation and exhalation. Also Represents the transcending of three qualities, namely sattva, rajas and tamas With the moon there, His head becomes the night sky, for which he earned the name Vyomakesa (one who has the sky or space as his hair).

and Thamas in you. Turn to be a Sattvic individual and eventually transcend even Sattva to merge with the Supreme. The moon that adorns his head represents the movement of time and also His cosmic proportions. Waxing and waning moon symbolizes the constant change that Siva represents. Through the waxing and the waning of the moon Shiva creates different seasons and rejuvenates life.

"Without a form how can God be mediated upon? If (He is) without any form, where will the mind fix itself? When there is nothing for the mind to attach itself to, it will slip away from INCLUDEPICTURE "http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:xX9q117wcnqCIM:http meditation or16 glide into a state of will slumber. Therefore the wise will meditate on some form, remembering, however, that the form is a superimposition and not a reality."
Vishnu Samhita (ch 29, v 55-7)

Q 9: Ganga descending on earth and Lord Siva consenting to take it upon his head first and then let it flow on earth in seven streams What is being conveyed?
A: Several of the mythological tales and images were evolved as a result of tantra. Tantra as we know today is largely mixed up with black magic and such other practices. Tantra is derived from two Sanskrit words - Thanoti (to expand ) & Trayate ( to liberate).Expansion means to grow beyond one's boundaries. Thanothi means the expansion of Consciousness ad infinitum. Individual consciousness should expand to Universal Consciousness for mergence in the Supreme Self. Trayate means to liberate, to liberate man from bondage. In the body plane, the story of Ganga reveals the divine origin of kundalini and its descent through the various chakras of the body into the lowest chakra, the mooladhara corresponding to the patala regions of the world, where it remains coiled like a serpent till it ascends again into the higher chakras during ones spiritual 17

sadhana. The legend is that man was not fully evolved to strive for and gain spiritual salvation, as the force of energy flowing into him was too much that would have shattered him. Lord Siva helps in making sure that the force is reduced and moves slowly down the spine to get embedded in the mooladhara. The Lord also assists him in evolving a method of attaining spiritual salvation by practices that lets the kundalini shakthi that is so embedded rise gradually and reach sahasrasra Symbolically, on the earth plane, the river stands for divine consciousness. It descended into the earth consciousness through the efforts of sage Bhagiratha. But since the earth was not sufficiently evolved to receive its full consciousness, Lord Siva came forward to allow it to fall on His head first and then flow down.

"Just as the rain water that falls from the sky eventually reaches the ocean, so also all the worship offered to Him, by whatever name you wish, or in whatever form you like, ultimately goes to the one ultimate, infinite, Supreme Reality."
Mahabharata

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://tbn0.google.com/im

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Q 10: What is the meaning of pati, pasu and pasa?

A: Followers of Saivism are familiar with three words: pati, pasu and paasa. 1. Pati is Siva himself, the lord and husband (Paramatma) 2. Pasu is the deluded self that is caught in the cycle of birth and death (Jivatma) 3. Pasa is the bond that binds the pasu to this world and it gains liberation through devotion and surrender to pati. aspects of Lord Siva The Pasupatinath temple at Nepal is a very important pilgrim centre for the followers of Saivism.

Q 11: Why is Siva always referred to as a destroyer?

A: Destruction here should not be interpreted to mean physical destruction. Siva is a rudra, rodhana hara, destroyer of rodhana, the weeping, the root cause of which is ignorance. Sivas destruction is not negative. It is a positive, nourishing and constructive destruction that builds and 19

transforms life and energy for the welfare of the world and the beings that inhabit it. He destroys in order to renew and regenerate. His destruction is the destruction of an artist, or a surgeon or a cook. Through destruction he facilitates the smooth transitions of things and events from one stage to another. He destroys our imperfections in order to ensure our spiritual progress. He destroys our illusions, desires and ignorance. He destroys our evil and negative nature. He destroys our old memories, so that we can move on with the movement of time. He destroys our relationships, attachment, impurities, physical and mental wrong doings, the effects of bad karma, our passions and emotions and many things that stand between us and God as impediments to our progress and inner transformation. And in the end when we have made sufficient progress, when we are ready and prepared, and when we are willing without any inner conflict, he destroys death.

India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grand mother of tradition. Our most valuable and most constructive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only.

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://tbn0.google.com

Mark Twain
Mark

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Q 12: What is the idea in showing a river flowing out of the head of Lord Siva?
A: Siva represents the or fire element. Water comes of heat. In order to indicate scientific principle river Ganga is shown to stem out of Sivas head. Out of Sound comes heat and out of heat water. While damaram, the drum indicates Siva the creator, Ganges indicates Siva the preserver. heat out this Lord

Q 13: Will Sivas third eye burn one into ashes? Is it proper to have the photo of Lord Siva in our homes?
A: By all means one can happily have the photo of Lord Siva in the home. Siva means auspiciousness. The third eye represents the opening up of vision of cosmic consciousness. What gets burnt by the opening up of the third eye is ignorance. Dawning of knowledge is coterminous with destruction of ignorance. Siva is not a destroyer. Rather He helps one to withdraw. Withdrawal is wrongly understood as destroyal.

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Siva third eye also means that the Lord can perceive events of the past, present and the future. According to the Science of Yoga, the third eye means life force coiled up at the mooladhara entering ajna chakra at the middle of the temple.

Q 14: What is the symbolic meaning of the snake associated with Lord Siva, Mahavishnu, Lord Krishna and Kali Matha?.
A: In religion, mythology, and literature, serpents and snakes often stand for fertility or a creative life force. They have also been associated with water and earth because many kinds of snakes live in the water or in holes in the ground. The ancient Chinese connected serpents with life-giving rain. Traditional beliefs in Australia, North America, and Africa have linked snakes with rainbows, which in turn are often related to rain and fertility. As snakes grow, many of them shed their skin at various times, revealing a shiny new skin underneath. For this reason snakes have become symbols of rebirth, transformation, immortality, and healing. The ancient Greeks considered snakes sacred to Asclepius, the god of medicine. The symbolic meaning of the snake and skull in the mythological realms indicate: 22

 Skull is a representation of impermanence, transition, and freedom. It signifies the liberation of worldly burdens. Duality between mans identification with conflict between life and death The impermanence (illusion) associated with this conflict Mans ability to recognize this message of impermanence Mans ability to utilize the power available to him to over come this conflict The snake stands for all the evil and demonical nature in the world. By wearing the snake around his neck, Lord Siva gives us the assurance that no evil can touch us or destroy us once we surrender to Him The snake also stands for the power of kundalini, which is described as a coiled serpent lying dormant in the muladhara chakra of all human beings and descends upwards when one starts ones spiritual journey and becomes increasingly divine oriented. The snake around the neck of Siva conveys the meaning that in him the kundalini not only has arisen fully but is also actively involved in the divine activity. The snake also stands for all passions and desires. By wearing the snakes around his neck, Lord Siva conveys the message to all his devotees that He

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has overcome all desires and is in full control of Prakriti, or maya and its various machinations The snakes natural process of molting or shedding its skin is symbolic of the human souls transmigration of bodies from one life to another. Ultimate ascension & surpassing of conflict & illusion altogether.

Q 15: Why does Durga use trisul to vanquish the demon?

A: Durga is abbreviation for dur (bad/evil) gati (movement/ way) nashini. Dur gathi refers to bad movement of the mind. The demon in question is the demon sitting in each one of us pushing us in wrong direction and wanting us to commit evil acts. Through devotion to Goddess Durga and by the practice of pranayama the devotee can quell the demonic rajasic and thamasic tendencies in him. The word Durga also means a fort or a place that is protected and thus difficult to reach, the remote and inaccessible. Goddess Durga protects mankind from evil and misery by destroying evil forces such as selfishness, jealousy, prejudice, hatred, anger, and ego.

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She is usually depicted with multiple arms, wielding a rather dazzling selection of arms from the ancient world and mounted upon a very fearsome lion. Sometimes this animal becomes a tiger, and she is called Amba then. Trisul is indicative of the need to use breath regulation to control mind. In the three sula the left and right are indicative of the ida and pingala. The centre represents sushumna. Pranayama, the regulation of breath is done by controlling ida and pingala and ensuring the upward movement of the central sushumna nadi. Sushumna also represents the "Kundalini" - the serpent power that sleeps in the bottom of the spinal cord of human beings, raising of which opens the third eye and thus ensure total liberation from agyaana, ignorance. Through out India it is common to see ida and pingala represented as two serpents and devotees worshipping them. Breath regulation was identified as the key to mind control, which in turn was observed as key to even good health. Not surprisingly the insignia of modern medical profession (American Medical Association) shows ida and pingala on the right and left sides with sushumna at the centre. The three together is given the image of trisul.

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Hatha Yoga pradipika states that mind and praana are mixed like milk and water. Where there is praanic activity, there is mind and where there is mind there is praana. Breath is the gross form of mind. Till the time of death, the mind keeps breath in the body; and when the body dies the mind takes the breath along with it. Therefore, the exercise of breath-control is only an aid for rendering the mind quiescent. Like the practice of breath-control. meditation on the forms of God, repetition of mantras, restriction on food, etc., are but aids for rendering the mind quiescent. Durga is also shown as riding on a tiger (sometimes a lion). Here again, tiger is symbolic of ferocious mind all the time pouncing on an object. Mind and object are coterminous. Through devotion to Durga one can control his mind. Lion or Tiger are symbolic of rajasic nature in man. Arjuna asks Lord Krishna: What force is that, that drags us towards the objects and propels us to sin, even against our own will- as if by some compulsion? Lord Krishna answers: Know that the enemy here on earth is desire and anger, which arise from all consuming rajasic guna Mind arises when contact arises. Mind by its very nature is out-going. Its attraction to sense objects makes it see millions of objects, where none exists. Mind acts like a prism, distorting the unified image and showing multiplicity where unity alone exists. 26

Worshipping Goddess Durga, practicing pranayama and understanding mind and its nature and thus distancing one self from his mind by learning to witness the mind are ways to keep oneself away from the ferocious mind that drags one into endless difficulties.

"Hinduism is an imaginative, an "image-making, religious tradition in which the sacred is seen as present in the visible world the world we see in multiple images and deities, in sacred places, and in people. The notion of darsan call attention as students of Hinduism, to the fact that India is a visual and visionary culture. INCLUDEPICTURE "http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:KNxGaVSYt9aM-M:http://www.firmstand.org/books God is eminently visible, although human beings have not always had the refinement of sight to see
Diana L. Eck

Q 16: What is shakthi?

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A: The Sanskrit word Shakti can be translated as meaning "power" or "energy." It is derived from the parasmaipada verb root "shak" which means "to be able", "to do", "to act". Shakthi power is that which makes the author think and write and what makes the reader read. Without Shakthi that makes the seed sprout out forcing earth around and above and it is shakthi that makes the earth and other planets move around sun. Shakthi is want makes even the sun move in its orbit.

In India, in particu represents one or attributes, which is neither an idol, n INCLUDEPICTURE "http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:xKaaRzMOb0gDpM:http://evans-experientialism.fre qualities from that an aid to supplementary realization.

Q 17: Why are ten days devoted to the worship of Goddesses during the dashara festival?
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Ren Gunon (1886-195

A: Goddess Mother, the supreme Shakti manifests herself in the form of Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati.
Goddess Mother, manifests as

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Durga

Lakshmi

Saraswathi

Energy aspect

Material aspect

Knowledge aspect

Kriya Sakthi

Ichchaa Shakti.

Jnaana Sakthi

The body indicates Kriya Shakti. The mind is the repository of Ichchaa Shakti. The Atma is Jnaana Shakti. Kriya Shakti comes from the body, which is material. The power that activates the body that is inert and makes it vibrant is Ichchaa Shakti. The power that induces the vibrations of Ichchaa Shakti is Jnaana Shakti, which causes radiation of energy. The navarathri, the nine nights are devoted to worship the three Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi. While Durga represents the Kriya sakthi in us, Lakshmi and Sarawathi represent the Iccha Sakthi and the Jnana Sakti respectively.

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Kali or Durga is a demon killer (Kriya Sakti). Demons are the Tamasic (Dark) demons in our mind: Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada, Matsarya (desire, anger, greed, delusion, pride, and envy). Out of total ten days of worship the fist three are to be devoted to mother Durga and seek her help in ensuring that the bad tendencies like anger, jealousy etc within us are removed. Once Kali or Durga kills these demons, Lakshmi (Ichcha Sakti) takes over the mind and helps us get rid of Rajasic Vikshepa (False perception; distraction; to and fro oscillations of the mind; gales of desire blowing in the mind) which are hard to remove from the mind. Lakshmi helps man acquire the Will Power (Ichcha Sakti) and get rid of remnants of desire and falseperception by Upasana (worship). What is left is ignorance meaning spiritual ignorance. Spiritual enlightenment is infused by Saraswati (Jnana Sakti). The eradication of impurities, desires and ignorance with the help of these three deities is celebrated for nine days and nine nights, 3 days and 3 nights for each deity. It takes nine days and nine nights to defeat these demons. Saraswati means "the essence of one's own self." Saraswati denotes that aspect of the Supreme reality which represents knowledge, learning, and wisdom Nine manifestation of Mother Goddess (Durga, Bhadrakali, Amba, Annapurna, Sarvamangala, Bhairavi, Chandika, Lalita, and Bhavani) are celebrated over nine nights. The tenth day is Vijayadasami, meaning victory (over the demons of the mind; realization and emancipation) on the 10th day. 30

The world has never been altogether without the Wisdom- the Mula Veda nor its Teachers. The degre

So also have the symbols by which it has been conveyed. These symbols further have varying significance according to t death, he naturally shrinks in disgust (Extract from The Necklace of Kali, page 234, Garland of Letters by

Q 18: Why is Surya shown as driving a chariot with only one wheel when but driven by seven horses?
A: The Sun God who adorns vedas is also worshipped as time. He is 31

said to have made the whole universe as his chariot and rides on the wheel of year with the as horses. The whole universe is symbolically presented as a single wheel. Single wheel is the year. The seven horses represent the seven days of the week as well as the seven colors that emanate from the Sun. The seven types of Vedic metres (Sapta chandas) are also represented as seven horses. Surya is considered to be the physical version of Omkara. Surya shines with the effulgence of the vedas and Omkaara. Surya born out of Aditis womb (Aaditya) is also looked upon as a rescuer of gods who were humiliated by the demons. Lord Surya is a potent source of life around and vitamin D is found in Sunlight. Hundreds of studies now link vitamin D deficiency with significantly higher rates of many forms of cancer as well as heart disease osteoporosis multiple sclerosis and many other conditions and diseases. Lord Suryanaryana Murthy, the sun God is called 'Prathyaksha Daiva', i.e,. the God whom we are all seeing. The Sanskrit sloka says "Arogyam Bhaskaradithyam" which means the Sun is the Lord of Health. Lord Surya gives light, health, happiness to one and all in the Universe. Among Lord Shivas three eyes, one of them is Surya. Surya is the friend of Lotuses. Surya fathered Vashistha, Sugreeva and Karna.

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Q 19: Goddess Saraswathi is always playing the veena, but why?

A: Saraswati, goddess of learning, has always been revered. Indian philosophy treats both Word (Shabda) and Sound (Nad) as Brahma. Hence, Saraswati has always been depicted with a string instrument. Mother Saraswati is the Goddess of learning, knowledge, and wisdom. The name Saraswati itself is one of the most beautiful in all Sanskrit. It means. Flowingly elegant. Saraswati is represented in Hindu mythology as the divine consort of Lord Brahma, the Creator of the universe. Since knowledge is necessary for creation, Saraswati symbolizes the creative power of Brahma. Vasanta Panchami is the festival of Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and learning. She represents the free flow of wisdom and consciousness. She is the mother of the Vedas, and chants to her, called the Saraswati Vandana often begin and end Vedic lessons. She has four hands representing four aspects of human personality in learning: mind, intellect, alertness and ego. She has sacred scriptures in one hand and a lotus the symbol of true knowledge in the second. With her other two hands she plays the music of love and life on a string instrument called the veena. She is dressed in white the symbol of purity and rides on a white swan and a peacock.

Q 20: What is the significance of ardhanareeswara? How can there be a person that is half male and half
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female? What is the message that is conveyed by such a portrayal?

A: The ardhanareeswara form describes two opposing and, at the same time, complementary (completing) aspects of any one phenomenon (object or process), say matter and anti-matter called energy. The male/female form is a derivation from linga roopa. It will be of interest to note that the Chinese term liangyi means "two mutually correlated opposites". The Ying and Yang is similar to the ardhanareeswara form. The ardhanareeswara form explains the concept that Shiva stands for. In this aspect he draws the feminine into his own self. He is half man, half woman; a symbol of the Samkhya philosophy which talks of Purusha (the male energy) and Prakriti (the female energy) together constituting the cosmic energy. The Ardhanareeswara form encompasses every thing from action to inaction, eternal rest to endless activity, the terrible and the benign. The Devi depicted on the left half of the deity, is the power of god by which creation, protection, and destruction of the universe is accomplished. The form of Ardhanareeswara brings together the differences in the male and female and at the same time the similarities. The male hormone Testosterone in women and the female 34

hormone Estrogen in men testify to the fact that characteristics of both sexes are present in each one of us. The production of these in our bodies keeps our personalities and our bodies in balance. The philosophy of the Ardhanareeswara places the genders on equal terms without question. According to the Linga Purana, Brahma, the creator had five mind-born sons (Akasha, Agni, Vaayu, Apah and Prithvi) but was dissatisfied with his sons for none of them showed any promise. He contemplated on Siva for solution. Siva himself appeared and told him He was his son. Siva then assumed the ardhanareeswara form.

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:deu1ze_KjGWiiM:http: We hanker after symbolism. Images

are an aid to worship."
1921 in Young India: Mahatma Gandhi

"Idol worship is part of human nature.

Q 21: Why is Mahavishnu depicted as resting in an ocean on the back of a serpent that stretches itself to form His bed?
A: Mahavishnu is depicted frequently in human form, sleeping on the great serpent Shesha and floating on the waters. One hand holds a lotus; a second holds a conch; a third holds a discus (which always returns by itself 35

after being thrown); and the fourth carries a mace. The petals of the lotus are believed to symbolize the unfolding of creation; the conch is said to symbolize that from which all existence originates; and the discus and the mace reputedly were obtained by Lord Vishnu as rewards for defeating the God Indra. Mahavishnu is said to lie in the causal ocean or the Karanodak.He simply glances on Mahamaya and therefore puts in her the seed of this material universe.Mahamaya remains the ever obedient material energy of the supreme lord. All the natural elements like sky, fire, water, air and ether are created and also along with that are created mind, intelligence and false ego.

Q 22: What do the six faces of Lord Subrahmanya portray?

A: The six faces indicate that 1. They indicate that He is the source of the four Vedas, the Vedangas and the six schools of philosophy.

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2. They also indicate His control over the five organs of knowledge as well as the mind 3. The six faces may also be taken to indicate the six Chakras or the centres of energy in the human body which are known to Yogis The six faces indicate the Six Points Star (shatkona). A typical combination often found in the graphical structure of a Yantra is the superposition of two triangles, one pointing upwards (Siva) and the other downwards (shakthi), forming a star with six points (shatkona).This form symbolically represents the union of Purusha and Prakriti or Shiva-Shakti, without which there could be no Creation. Since Subrahmanya is a result of the union of Shiva and Sakthi, He is represented as having six faces. 4. The six faces can also mean that He represents wisdom, strength, detachment, fame, wealth and divinity, which are signified by his six heads 5. Three facets of Siva and three facets of Parvathi fused together.

Q 23: What is kavadi? What is the significance of carrying the kavadi?

A: Kavady translates as Kavu Adi and is a pole slung across shoulder to evenly distribute & the the

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weight of whatever is being carried, usually in bundles on either ends of the pole. The carrying of kavady symbolizes the carrying of ones burden and then resting it at the feet of the Lord.

Q 24: What do the vel, valli and Deivayana represent?

A: In the words of Swami Sivanada, Valli, Deivayana and the Vel mean, respectively, Iccha Sakti, Kriya Sakti and Jnana Sakti, i.e., the force of Desire, the force of Action, and the force of Knowledge. It is indicated that all these three abide in Subrahmanya, who is Para Brahman Himself. The fact that Desire and Action forces are kept on either side of Him and that Jnana Sakti or the force of Knowledge alone is kept in His breast points out that Knowledge is the most important of them all and that it never gets separated from Him

Q 25: What does Shri Anjaneya stand for?

A: What is there that He does not stand for? Shri Anjaneya is symbolic of total devotion, surrender, courage and conviction.

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1. As Hanuman He stands for conviction. He has no anuman (doubt) about the existence of God, Lord Rama. This absence of doubt gives rise to courage 2. As Anjali Putra, He represents prayerful attitude and total devotion, pure devotion, complete surrender 3. As Anjaniputra , He is not born (An-jani) in the normal sense the one who comes accidentally into this world but by his efforts ascends to the greater heights of spiritual evolution 4. As Vayuputra he is the breath body in us and can help the lower self Jivatma (Sita) that is lost to ignorance to reunite with Paramatma (Rama) As the son of Vayu, symbolically He also stands for the subtle body consisting of the breath body, the mental body and the intelligence body- the sukshma sarira. The mind is fickle (like a monkey) and jumps from place to place, going after things, engaging itself in innumerable activities that disturb the peace of the place. The mind, like Vayuputra can also travel where it wants to. It can fly in the air, cross the continents with the speed of thought

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5. By killing all the evil thoughts with its determination, It also lays a firm foundation for the kingdom of God (Ramarajya) 6. As Veeranjaneya, he is the source of courage and confidence for many a timid Heart 7. As Bhajarangbali, he is strong in both devotion and physical strength He is an ocean of virtues and friend of the pure hearted. He loves the ascetic qualities in man because only those who are detached and mentally free from the luxuries of life and desires can truly conquer the world of moha and attain moksha. 8. Truly there in none like Shri Hanuman, for he was an evolved God, born as a manifestation of Lord Shiva, but became a great devotee of Shri Mahavishnu through Lord Rama.

Q 26: What makes the image of Lord Vinayaka so fascinating and appealing to everybody; young and old, the educated and the illiterate and men and women?
A: The image is a perfect picture and none can ask for more. The image means everything to everybody and hence no seeker can go without getting blessed by a mere look at the image. 40

Image

Meaning Large head : Knowledge

Message Gain knowledge through listening (ears) and reflection (large head)

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The two tusks, one whole and the other broken, reflect the existence of perfection and imperfection in the physical world. Pot belly:

Do not look for perfection in the world, Perfection can be only in God.

Gain an ability to digest the whole universe whatever is contained inside experiences him life brings. Four arms symbolize the four Vedas, the four aims of dharma, artha, kama and moksha and the four stages of life. These are respectively the mudras (or handgestures) denoting the granting of boons and the dispelling of fear Keep the four aims of life in mind and take the help of scriptures and seek Gurus guidance NO need to fear as long as you are attached to Lord Ganesa. He will not only protect you but will also provide you.

"The one who moves towards knowledge of the timeless is never afraid." Ganesha Arthava Veda

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The goad is an elephant goad. Hook yourself to Lord In His hands He Ganesa and holds such objects free your as a rope or noose, mind from to trap the things desires. which attract the mind to the world, Cut off bonds and a goad or iron of attachment. hook, to represent the need to control desires Ganesha is shown Move out into with one leg on the the world ground and the from the other one folded as entrenched if he were field of meditating spirituality and do not This reflects a think that balance between religion is a et the practical and of rituals to be spiritual life, gone through mechanically The best fruits of life are the Look for blessings of the spiritual fruits Lord and of compassion association with and thoughts always on detachment Him Mouse represents desire. His vehicle is a mouse as mouse is known 43 Know that desires tie you down. Learn to gnaw and

for its ability to gnaw through barriers. The combination of elephant and mouse ensures that all obstacles, of whatever size, are overcome

cut through desires. With the help of Lord Ganesa Control desires and ride over it

When any devotee seeks to worship any aspect with faith, and when by worshipping any aspect he wins what he desires, it is none other than Myself that grants his prayers. Howsoever men approach Me, so do I welcome them, for the path men take from every side is Mine.
Lord Krishna

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://tbn0.google.c

Q 27: Did Lord Krishna and Arjuna discusse for 18 days when the whole army on either side were waiting?
A: Obviously not. But the main message conveyed here through this image is that the battle front of life is to be faced with 44

the help of Lord Krishna who will ensure that the mind and senses are reined in from its object orientation that results in endless strife due to the inbuilt tendencies.- the tri gunas- sattva, rajas and thamas, caused by agyaana, ignorance.
Chariot: Gross body Horses: Sense and motor organs that race towards objects Arjuna: Atma The soul assuming it to be the bodymind unit and experiencing anguish Krishna: Buddhi, intellect that should seek guidance of God Reins: Mind Chariot Wheels: Paapa and Punya

Reins: Mind

The armory detachment. Brahmastra Pragyanam Brahma.

used is abhyasa and vairagya, practice and The Gurus Aswatthama and others use the of Mahavakyas like Aham Brahmasmi, Brahma, Tatvam Asi and Ayam Atma

Q 28: Why did Arjuna's horses & chariot burn in flames after the Mahabharata war?
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A: After the Mahabharata war, Krishna took Arjuna's chariot to a remote place. He then asked Arjuna to get down. After Arjuna got down first, Krishna then got down from the chariot. Thereafter Krishna took Arjuna some distance away from the chariot and showed Arjuna the divine and invisible presence of Lord Hanuman on the chariot. The moment Hanuman got down from the chariot, the horses were burnt alive and the chariot exploded into pieces. The burning is symbolic of elimination of Arjunas identification with his body and the destruction or transcending of senses and mind. The divine presence of Lord Hanuman on the chariot protected Arjuna from certain death at the hands of Drona, first and then, Karna.

Q 29: Why is Kali portrayed as a violent and ferocious Goddess?

A: Kali is the Goddess of time. As 'the Dark One', she symbolizes Time, with its eternal round of death and rebirth. Kali is The Slayer of Time & Death; The Destroyer of Illusion. Kali's most common four armed iconographic image shows each hand carrying 46

variously a sword, a trishul (trident), a severed head and a bowl or skull-cup (kapala) catching the blood of the severed head. The image Hand with severed human head Hand with the skull bowl The message Severed human Head signifies human Ego which must be slain by Divine Knowledge in order to attain Moksha Kapala the skull reminds us once more of the cycle of death and rebirth, while its form as a begging bowl indicates that this may be overcome through wandering asceticism The sword (khadga), which cuts us free from those attachments. The sword brings death but can also bring release, through wisdom. Lasso (kalapasha), the 'noose of time' indicates how we in our life are snared by time and attached to worldliness. Represent the three-fold aspect of time - its creation (Brahma), continuance (Vishnu), and destruction (Shiva). But, as the trident, these three aspects of time point beyond themselves to a transcendent unity. Permanent, not subjected to change like colors that are a product of white and white in turn changing to colors. Each skull in the chain indicates yet one more death and rebirth 47

Hand with a knife Hand with a noose Hand With trident (trishula).

Shown as very dark Garland of skulls

kapalamala Often depicted naked Protruding tongue

linking us into the cycle of existence. symbolizes her being beyond the covering of Maya Shamed at not having noticed Shiva being trampled by her in her blind fury.

"Idolatry in India does not mean anything horrible. It is the attempt of the INCLUDEPICTURE "http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:znh9Umn7kllJiM:http:// undeveloped minds to grasp high spiritual truths."
Swami Vivekanada

Q 30: Each God has a vehicle of His or Her own and several birds and animals are associated with God in this regard. What do they symbolize?

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A: Ancients were keen observers of nature and animals and birds. They noticed that these birds and animals have several distinguishing characteristics. Hence they associated them with God to emphasize that aspect for which the God is known for. Some of the vehicles of various Gods and Goddesses are listed below: God / Animal / Bird Goddess and characteristic the associates Vigneswara Mouse: Implied message Try to get claw your way out of spiritual obstacle with the help of Lord Vigneswara. With Ganesas blessings timidity and nervousness than mouse represents can be

Known for its ability to claw its way through any obstacle. Known also for timidity and nervousness. 49

Surya

One wheeled vehicle drawn by Seven horses:

One wheel represents one year, when the earth goes round the Sun Seven horses represent seven days in a week. Brahma is God of knowledge. He moves in our lake of consciousness.

Brahma

Hamsa / Swan:

The word "Hamsa" is a combination of two words "aham"+ "sa" , which mean "I am He". This awareness that one is God exists only in enlightened persons. Hamsa is credited with the ability to segregate water from milk, the height of discrimination. The Swan and Peacock

He has the power to give us this knowledge about our true nature Learn to discriminate the right from the wrong and strive to know who you really are. Like the peacock learn to balance well. Like the peacock which eats snakes learn to seek the

Sarawathi

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Swan because She is wife of Brahma and represents Knowledge and Wisdom. Mahavishn u The Garuda and the snake:

blessings of Goddess and eat away (get rid of) desires (Snake represents desire) Garuda and Snake represent a pair of opposites. Garuda eats snakes. In Lords presence both are subdued. Be away from likes and dislikes. Snakes are under total control of the Lord. He is beyond fear and desire that snakes represent. Seek His blessing and move beyond fear and desire. Be thoughtful. Seek wisdom. Come out of the darkness of ignorance, avarice and selfishness. The Goddess Lakshmi will

Snakes acting as a hood.

Mahavishnu has snakes are the bed and the hood.

Shri MahaLakshmi The owl is a symbol of wisdom, seriousness and thoughtfulness.

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Lakshmi rides on an owl named Uluka. (means 'owl' in Sanskrit), is also one of the names of lndra, the king of the demigods, who personifies wealth, power and glory.

enable you to reach the lakshya of attaining moksha. Gaja, it is taken to be god himself (ja=place of origin or birth of the universe; ga=gamya, the goal to be reached ultimately The lotus bud is born in water and unfolds itself into a beautiful flower. Hence it is taken as the symbol of the universe coming out of the primeval waters and manifesting itself in all its glory The word ''Lakshmi'' is derived from the Sanskrit word Laksme, meaning "goal." Lakshmi, therefore, represents the goal of life, which includes worldly as well as spiritual prosperity. In the old temples Nandi

The lotus seat, which Lakshmi is standing/sitting upon, signifies that while living in this world, one should enjoy its wealth, but not become obsessed with it. Such a living is analogous to a lotus that grows in water but is not wetted by water.

Siva

Nandi

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Bull represents virility and unbridled energy. Bull is thus symbolic of uncontrolled kama.

Parvathi / Durga

Lion / Tiger

can be observed to be positioned in front of Lord Siva, with one eye on the Lord and the other on the world. Like the Nandi keep your one eye focused on the Lord, even when engaged in worldly activities. Durga stands for dur + gathi nivarini . Mind has a tendency to pounce on objects of assumed pleasure. Minds speed and direction should be on the Goddess. Seek the help of Goddess to annihilate your desires. Parvathi with her grace can help man control all negative qualities

Lion and Tiger are symbolic of extreme rajasic quality of ferociousness. They pounce of their prey with no mercy shown. They stand for cruelty, mercilessness, anger, violence and hostility towards other beings. 53

Yama

Water Buffalo

Dark black in color, represents ignorance and thamas. Karthikeya Peacock

and become enlightened Lord Yama delivers people from Thamasic qualities. Death does not represent annihilation, but a continuity in search of knowledge. Yama helps in that continuity. Karthikeya is known for Wisdom and beauty.

Seated on his peacock vahana named Indranilaratha, Karttikeya is the symbol of youth, beauty and valor. Saneeswara

Seek beauty by gaining wisdom, not in physical matters.

Crow is the slow moving bird that is also dark black in color.

Since Saturn is a slow moving planet which has significant effect on humans it is shown to use Crow as vahana.

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"Worship with the aid of images in India was not idolatry, as (was in the case) in Arabia,"
Al Beruni, the great Muslim scholar.

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://tbn0.google.c

There are several explanations regarding the significance

Q 31: What is the significance of the eighteenth step leading to the Lord Ayyappa?
A: The eighteenth step is called the Padinettampadi in Malayalam and Tamil. It is believed that "Parasurama 55

Maharshi" who retrieved Kerala from the sea by throwing his axe, installed the idol of Ayyappa at Sabarimala to worship Lord Ayyappa. The first five steps signify the five Jnanendriyas or the sense organs of sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing The second five steps refer to the Karmendriyas or the motor organs of feet, hands etc. The next four steps refer to chit, manas, buddhi and ahankara. The last three steps refer to the three gunas of sattva, rajas and thamas. If and when these seventeen steps are crossed over, on the eighteenth step the Lord can be seen. That is, unless the spiritual aspirant after undergoing tapas and austerities represented by the severe preparation involved before reaching the Sabarimala temple, is able to get over the sensual pleasures represented by the ten indriyas and later get over the feeling of me and mine as represented by the foursome of chit, manas, buddhi and ahankara and finally become triguna atheetha ie go beyond the limitation of the sattva, rajas and thamsic gunas imposed by the play of maya / avidya; one cannot see God. Some believe the eighteen steps denotes the 18 puranas 56

Some say that 18 weapons with which Lord Ayyappa destroyed the evil denotes the 18 steps.

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