SUN




The importance of the sun to the Vedic Àryans cannot be over-emphasized if we accept the theory that they lived in the North-polar region. Being the giver of life, light and energy, the sun has naturally become a symbol of the creator. The famous G2yatrmantra has been addressed to God the creator in and through the orb of the sun. The sun can also represent the cosmic sacrifice from which the whole creation has proceeded. The Upanisads sometìmes describe it as the celestial door leading to immorta1ity.

SVASTIKA



The Svastika is a symbol of auspiciousness (svasti = auspiciousness). It has been used as a symbol of the sun or of Visiiu or even of Ganea. It also represents the world-wheel, the eternally changing world, round a fixed, unchanging centre or God.
Svastika marks depicted on doors or walls of buildings or an animals, are believed to protect them from the wrath of evil spirits or furies of nature.


SNAKE



Worship of snakes or serpents is very common in India and seems to have existed even from the times of the Atharva-veda. According to the Puraias snakes (called ‘sarpa’ or ‘nAga’) are the offsprings of the sage Kayapa and Kadri (one of the daughters of Daka Prajàpati). Sometimes they are depicted as created by the ten great sages like Marici, Atri and others.
Nine great serpents are nained in the mythological works. They are: Ananta, VAsuki, Padmanàbha, Kambala, atìkhapA1a, DhrtarAstra, Taksaka and KAliya.
Serpents have been closely associated even with the major and popular Hindu deities like Visnu (as his couch), iva (as his ornaments), Durgà (as the breast-band) and Gaiapati (as belly-band or belt).
They are symbois of sex and fertility in many tnbes.
They are considered as spirits guarding wealth hidden underground.
NAga stones—stone-slabs contaìning etched figures of snakes—are very commonly found, estabiished especially under Mvattha (Ficus religiosa) trees.
NAga motifs are a familiar scene in tempie scuipture and archìtecture.
Manasà Devi (or VisaharA) is considered as the deified mother of snakes. Her worship is common in Bengal, especially on Àha-kapaficami (fifth day in the dark fortnight of Àsàdha, generally in July). In South India, it is celebrated as Nagapaficami on ràvaia-uk1a-




MOON


The moon is said to be one of the by-products thrown up by the milky ocean when churned by the gods and demons for the sake of the amrta
or nectar. Hence it is considered to be the bowl containing the amrta from which the ancestors and gods drink. Being the ‘ruler of the world of the stars’ it is also the symbol of the world beyond death. It aiso represents the Cosmic Mmd, the mmd of Virtpurua, the sum-total of created objects. It is often considered as the dweliing piace of the ancestors.
ShÀLAGRÀMA



The ShAlagrAma, a biackish rounded stone with a hoie, is worshipped as an emblem of Visnu. It is normally found in the bed of the river Gandakl (in North Bihar). Inside the hole are visible, spirals which remind one, of the
cakra or the discus of Viiu. Though eighty nine varieties are known to exist, oniy fourteen or nine are more common. They are never installed in temples but, worshipped in one’ own home privateiy. Once a àlagrma is kept in a house, its worship, though simpie, becomes obiigatory. It is supposed to be endowed with mysterious powers. Even possessing and worshiping it wiil confer certain permanent benefits.






KUMBHA or KALASA



The Kumbha or Ka1aa, a pot fihled with water and decorated with coconut and leaves is very often used in ritualistic worship. It forms the body as it were, of the deity invoked for worship. Apart from being considered as a sign of auspiciousness, it is also used as a symbol of the Divine Mother. One of the important methods of conferring great honour on a guest ìs to receive him with a piirnakumbha.
LOTUS







The lotus bud ìs 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. Lt is also taken as a symbol of the sun. Lt rises from the navel of Visnu and is the seat of BrahmA the creator. Hence the sacredness associated with it. Psychic centres in the body associated with the rising of the Kuiidalinl power are pictured like lotuses.


-------------------


ho scoperto un eccellente programma per scannerizzare in ocr e ho passato un pò di tempo a scannerizzare alcune pagine di un libro che ho acquistato online da un negozio indiano. Vi sono i principali simboli hindù spiegati sinteticamente.
A breve le altre, mentre per le immagini, appena avrò un pò di tempo, le inserirò