Symbolism in Hinduism

Swami Nityananda

Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Nov 25, 2019 - Religion - 400 pages

In the Indian ethos, we encounter symbolism everywhere – in our shastras, in our celebrations and festivals, in the way we live.

Symbolism has a language of its own. It is not necessarily meant to be cryptic or secretive, but it is meant to make on think, to ask questions. Why do we celebrate our festivals the way we do? Why are Hindu gods multi-armed, each one specific and distinct from the other? What is the significance of their individual vehicles and the weapons they carry?

Pujya Gurudev, Swami Chinmayananda, sometimes spoke about symbolism and sometimes wrote about it. His style was unique and always to the point. The articles in this book have been compiled by Swami Nityananda (formerly R.S. Nathan), who was driven by a desire to share Gurudev’s wisdom with all. There are articles by others too, and they have been included because each one of them touches on one or the other aspect of symbolism.

And if anybody is buzzing with questions, pick up this book and read on.

Contents

• Çiva Naöaräja 153 Mrinalini V Sarabhai: 9
• The Symbol in Art and Religion 72 Prof K Seshadri: 10
• Religion and the New Man: 22
• Universal Symbolism 32 J J De Reede: 41
• Hindu Gods and their Manifestations: 75
• PART 2: 98
• Viñëu Näräyaëa: 107
• Çeñaçäyé 114 B R Rajan Iyer: 114
• Räma: 125
• Dattätreya: 137
• Mother Durgä: 144
• Viñëu: 170
• Consorts of the Three Gods 176 A Parthasarathy: 184
• Naöaräja 191 B R Rajan Iyer: 191
• Dakñiëämürti Personification of Eloquent Silence: 202
• PART 3: 215
• The Great Revelling The Mahäbhärata: 225
• The Concept of Hanumäna 234 Dr R Nagaswamy 4 Räma and Kåñëa A Comparison in Symbology 242 R S Nathan 5 The Significance of Çivarätri: 248
• The Püjäs 1 2 254 R S Nathan 7 Dépävalé or Naraka Caturdaçé and its Significance: 264
• The Holé Its Origin and Significance 271 William Crooke 9 Janmäñöamé: 277
• Guru Pürëimä: 284
• Makara Saìkränti: 287
• Oëam and its significance 292 Br Govindan Kutty 13 Vinäyaka Caturthé: 296
• Vijayä Daçamé: 300
• The Rudräkña: 305
• Symbolism in the Offering of the Coconut 314 4 The Çaìkha or the Conch in Hindu thought 316 V A K Aiyar: 325
• Our Gods and their Vehicles 332 Swamini Saradapriyananda: 368
• Why Secret Significance?: 379

Bibliographic information

• Title: Symbolism in Hinduism
• Author: Swami Nityananda
• Publisher: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, 2019
• ISBN: 8175971495, 9788175971493
• Length: 400 pages
• Subjects: Religion / Hinduism / Sacred Writings