The swastika is a sacred symbol of the Hindus second to ‘Om’. The swastika is derived from Sanskrit word swastika and is the combination of two words; Su means ‘good’ and Asti defines ‘to be’ or ‘happen’. Therefore swastika describes ‘good fortune’ or ‘well being’ or ‘existence of good’. It is the symbol of auspiciousness, good luck, prosperity, and happiness. Swastika symbol brings power and welfare to everyone.
In Hindu culture, swastika symbol holds a lot more importance. It is associated with the belief of Hindu people. No auspicious event in Hindus can happen without this symbol. Before beginning any ritual or puja, whether it’s a wedding ceremony, Grah Pravesh, inauguration of a task or Kua Pujan ceremony or Deepawali Pujan, this auspicious symbol is drawn either on the pot (Matka, or Gadha) filled with water, wall or at the floor where puja is taken place. This symbol is considered as the holy symbol. It is said that no negative energy prevails where swastika is drawn. It wards off the bad evils spreading positive energy in the surrounding.
Hindu people are very religious. They follow every tradition and custom with sincerity and devotion. Whenever we purchase a new electronic item or vehicles like car or scooter, a symbol of the swastika is made on the steering wheel of the car to avoid any sort of trouble. According to customs, the bride draws the swastika sign before leaving her parent’s house so that the household is always filled with happiness and good fortune. Many females craved it on her hands while listening to Katha.
Swastika symbol is associated with Lord Ganesha or “Vighanharta” known as “Removal of obstacles”. That is the reason before commencing any religious and important task, swastika sign is made so that the task can be completed without any hindrance or whatever we have started can be succeeded.
The religious symbol for Hindu, Swastika is associated with different beliefs in Hinduism. There are four lines of equal length making right angles. These four lines state different meaning. These lines are identified as four faces of Lord Brahma (the creator) looking in four directions; east, west, north, and south. It is one of the pious symbols from 108 symbols of Lord Vishnu.It can be seen on held in hand or at the palm.The center point of the swastika is denoted as the navel point of Lord Vishnu, from where Lord Brahma originates. It is also considered as the sacred symbol of the Sun or Surya Devta.
Mentioned in Vedas, this auspicious symbol marks the cycle of birth and cycle of death and signifies the four part of a human life named as brahmacharya, grihastha, vanaprastha, Ssanayasa. These four arms also signify four Vedas; Rigveda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda. The swastika symbol also describes four aims (Purushartha) of a human; dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), kama (pleasure) and moksha (liberation).
However this symbol has a history of 4000-5000 years back and is seen in many ancient civilizations including the Vikings and Greeks and this symbol is placed on Nazi flags and in other religions namely, Jainism and Buddhism but for Hindus, it holds a sacred significance. The right-hand clockwise direction of the swastika is appraised to bring good luck, peace, happiness warding off the misfortunes and evil spirits and anti clockwise direction is claimed as destructive. Signifying the power, the symbol of the swastika is made by red kumkum.