Cultural studies Hindu Art Course by: Prof. Dr. Amir H. Zekrgoo

Subject:

Political symbols in

contemporary

Hinduism

Seyed Mostafa Mostafavi

M.A Student in :Indian studies

Faculty of world studies - Universityof Tehran

Indian as religious people

Indian as religious people• Religion in India has deep roots in people life; are the most religious

people

• their world and humanity conception are the out come of their different religious believes.

• during long civilization history Indian tried to save or mention theirthought and philosophy by a kind of artistic works like historic dramanovels and sculptures which carving in stone or painting on the walls orpapers.

• And most of them are related to their idea of hundreds millions ofHindu gods and goddess that estimate more than 300 millions that theyhad been worshiped for long time in different stage of Indian history.

• India can name as lands of gods;

• the gods that every one regard as symbol of something in the being ofworld. Bringing such vast amount of gods and goddess to realty isimposable hence they change them to symbols and make them visible.

Hinduism as most populate religion

India is adominate Hindureligion, theofficial statisticsannounce Hindupopulationmore than 80%of Indian

Religion art the most powerful oneVisualizing deep religion concepts like truth, values,

Gods and Goddesses, world construct, creation ofworld… put arts side by side of religion and duringhistory these two accompanied and developed andflourished.

as a result today vast variety of arts are available inIndian subcontinent and especially India. Thecommon character of most Indian religious art andwriting is, such valuable masterpieces were madeby nameless artists; and they didn’t try to leave aname in the history of art and philosophy;consequently there are many fantastic books andartistic stone carving… that their writer or artistesare not known.

Symbolic meaning of India National flag

Symbolic meaning of India National flag

The India national Flag (tiranga) as the nationalsymbol of India, has three equal size horizontalcolors with dark green in the bottom and whiteat its center and deep saffron (के सरिया orजाफ़िान ) on its top side. It has a navy-bluecolor wheel (chakra or charkha) that haveaccess to the Sarnath lion Capital of Ashoka thegreat at the center of white band it is related todharma.

Symbolic meaning of India flag-saffron The Saffron as one of the holiest

colour is strongly associatedwith Hinduism; it is colour offire as the symbol of purity asfire burnt impurities; and alsosymbol of Supreme Being. Fireworship is backed to Vedic erawhen the Aryans worship it asholly being even now fire hasmain symbolic meaning inHindu prayer. This colour isused by holly men and theywear this colour is a symbol ofquesting for light. The Rajputas warrior caste in Hinduhierarchy uses this colour inwar.

Symbolic meaning of India flag-white The white colour also represents

purity, cleanliness; peace andknowledge, as the goddess ofknowledge Sarasvati also wearwhite colour and position ofwhite lotus. This colourassociate to the highest Hinducaste, Brahmans and they useit. It also related to spiritualreincarnation and thephilosophy of covering facewith white ashes by religionleaders refer to thissymbolizing. At the mourningtime also Hindu families wearwhite cloth. So white also hasdeep meaning in Hinduism

Symbolic meaning of India flag-Green The green colour is

the symbol of peaceand happiness, andrepresents naturethat is veryimportant respectedin Hinduism.

Symbolic meaning of India flag-Chakra . It has a navy-blue

colour wheel (chakraor charkha) that haveaccess to the Sarnathlion Capital of Ashokathe great, at thecentre of white band.It is related todharma. Chakra has24 spokes. On 22 July1947 just 24 days priorto independent’s day(15 august) in theconstituent assembly

Dr. S. Radhakrishnan described the Flag meaning

“Bhagwa or the saffron colour denotes renunciation ofdisinterestedness. Our leaders must be indifferent tomaterial gains and dedicate themselves to theirwork. The white in the centre is light, the path oftruth to guide our conduct. The green shows ourrelation to soil, our relation to the plant life here onwhich all other life depends. The Ashoka Wheel inthe centre of the white is the wheel of the law ofdharma. Truth or satya, dharma or virtue ought tobe the controlling principles of those who workunder this flag. Again, the wheel denotes motion.There is death in stagnation. There is life inmovement. India should no more resist change, itmust move and go forward. The wheel representsthe dynamism of a peaceful change.”

Sarnath Ashoka loin Symbolic meaningLion Capital of Ashoka the great is the symbol

of all government branch. They use it Onthe top of all formal letters, on the moneynote, flags… it is the emblem of India from1950; four loins that standing back to back.It is belong to ancient India time that Loin,Chakra, bull, Horse as most symbolic factorin the mind of Aryan was collected in thishistoric object. Chakra as symbol of dharmaand other symbols that rooted in longhistory of the people who made Indiancivilization. Especially a upside down loutswhich this symbol are standing on. TheAshoka symbol which rooted to about250BCE now is shifted to modern Indiagovernment and they use it as theirsymbol.

Hindu common Symbol meaning

Hindu common Symbol meaning

OM or AUM is the mostimportant symbol for Hindu asthe Cross is Impotent forChristian. OM is thecombination of three Sanskritletters A, U, M and it is relatedto Brahman or the absolute asthe sources of existences andconsider as sound of creationtime. So most of Hindu prayerare start with this narration.

• OM as a religious Hindu symbolis add to flag of political Hinduoutfits and show there is arelation to this religion. It is theholiest sign among them.

Hindu common Symbol meaning

• The swastika is anothersymbol for Hindu and fromreligious side is transferredto politic. It is like the Naziemblem; as a broken Cross. Itis a pictorial symbol ofeternal nature of theBrahman. All its directionscoverage shows absolutenessconcepts. Swastika is aSanskrit word with SU meansgood and Astati that mean toexist.

BJP Flag meaningBJP as second India party has three symbols in

its flag; two vertical bands with green andSaffron and also a blue lotus flower insaffron color part. So all the symbols in thisflag related to Hinduism. It is one of thedifferent between INC and BJB which thatHindu symbol has more preference in theirflag. This fact show that how much they arecarful about Hinduism. Lotus had beenassociated with gods and goddesses. TheHindu gods have been used lotus to takeposition on it. So lotus is related to godlyworld and purity, wealth, rebirth andenlightens.

Political symbolism of Weapons in hand of Hindu gods

Political symbolism of Weapons in hand of Hindu gods

The objects (as symbolic things) that artists orreligious philosophers - who created them - putthem in the hands of religious Icons, shows therole which they consider for them or, theexpectations that the creators of such an artisticIcon had from them. This kind of symbolizingmade some Hindu gods and goddesses as politicalcharacters that have especial political mission tochange power direction among human players orpolitical icons.

Political symbolism of Weapons in hand of Hindu gods

Political symbolism of Weapons in hand of Hindu gods

This kind of symbolizing made some Hindu gods and goddessesas political characters that have especial political mission tochange power direction among human players or political icons.Political symbolism is show itself more clearly when mythologicalepics or other kind of religious gods performances are come toexist, represent of several weapons - as tool of every politicalforce - or various types of item like military wearing or armouretc that were used by Hindu Gods, shows their political aspects;and it is some example of mixture of religious mission as well aspolitical mission for them. In the following line we will considersome important examples of weapons which used by Hindu godsand goddesses, the weapons that always used by political forcesthat seeking power or they want to restore a applicativesituation

Hindu Gods and Goddesses weapons-Narayanastra

The Narayanastra( नािायणा स्त्र ) is adeadliest and powerfulweapon in the hand ofVishnu when hedescended in hisNarayan avatar shape.This weapon throwsmillions of missiles alltogether. Aswathamaused this weaponagainst the Pandavas inMahabharata.

Hindu Gods and Goddesses weapons- Varunastra• The Varunastra (वरुणा स्त्र ) is the

water weapon used by Varuna (asthe master of the oceans andrivers). The most surprising fact ofthis weapon is that, this weaponcan be carved in any shape justlike flowing water. Many greatwarriors have made use of thisweapon against their enemies likeArjun, Dronacharya,Dhrishtadhuymna or Satyaki andmany more. This weapon could beobtained by full mentalconcentration and meditation onVaruna or Shiva. This weaponmust be used with great care andskills as one single mistake of theuser or inexperienced warrior canprove to be fatal to him.

Hindu Gods and Goddesses weapons- Chakhrem

Hindu Gods and Goddesses weapons- ChakhremThe Chakhrem (च क्र ) or Chakra is the circular weapon

that has sharp cuts at the outer edge. The enemy isattacked by throwing the weapon at him. It is alsoknown as circles or chalikar. The Chakra has a veryimportant position in mythology as it is upheld byKrishna. Now Sikhs are associated with this as theywear it on their arms, around necks and sometimeson their turbans too. It is made of steel, brass or gold.This weapon is used against the enemy by twirling itin the index finger and thrown out with spin to addmore power and force. Krishna used to hold this everytime in his index finger.

Hindu Gods and Goddesses weapons- Dhanush

• Shiva Dhanush (शिवध नु ष) is the divinebow which upheldby Shiva. Thisweapon possessedmysterious energyand used against theenemy for its fulldevastation.

Hindu Gods and Goddesses weapons- Brahmastra

•

Hindu Gods and Goddesses weapons- Brahmastra•• Brahmastra (ब्रह् ‍मास्‍त‍र) is the death defying weapon

created and held by Brahma. It is said that whenBrahma is upset he used it to destroy his enemy tomaintain his Dharma and Satya. The weapon not onlydestroy the one for whom it was used but alsoannihilate the environment and the land where it wasused became barren. Sometimes it also becomes theforemost reason for the cracks in the land. According toSanskrit mythology it is believed that invocation to thisBrahmastra can be made through the key phrase and itcan be used only once in a life time. It can be achievedthrough the eminent amount of concentration. It is usedby Vishvamitra against Vasishth, Ram against Ravana,and Arjun against Ashwatthama etc.

Hindu Gods and Goddesses weapons- Vajra• The Vajra (वज्र) is a metal weapon

symbolizing spiritual power andstrength. It was used by Indra for killingand destroying all sinners. It isgenerally considered as Diamondwhich can cut any substance but notitself and thunderbolt which hasirresistible power and force. Thisweapon was made by divineinstrument maker Tvastra for Indra. Heused this against Vritra to kill him as hetook the form of a serpent. Vritra wasso powerful that no weapon till thatdate could destroy him so he Indrawent to Vishnu for seeking help torecover his kingdom. Vishnu revealedhim that this Asura would be killedonly with the weapon made of bonesof sage. And so after obtaining thisweapon Vishnu successfully recoveredhis kingdom.

Hindu Gods and Goddesses weapons- Gada• The Gada (गदा) or Gadha is a

weapon holds an importantposition in the history ofHindu religion. It was carriedby Hanuman, Bhim, and otherswho were symbols of powerand strength. The Gada alsomoves around the user’s bodyto gather life force. It is theshape of a ball whichsymbolizes the earth rotatingon its axis, the handle. It is asymbol of great power, spirit,bravery and strength.

• .

Hindu Gods and Goddesses weapons- Sudarshana Chakra

• The Sudarshana Chakra (सु दर्शन चक्र ) is acircular disk like weapon which has 108serrated edges, Vishnu used to hold it inone of his four hands. Chakra alsosymbolizes that Vishnu also used toown celestial bodies and the heavens. Itis used for the ultimate devastation ofenemy of law and order. Sudarshana iscomposed of two words Su whichmeans divine and Darshana whichmeans vision and Chakra alone signifiesmobility. It is the mobile weapon usedto shield the negative powers and devilsfrom our body. Vishnu used to hold it inhis index finger of the rear right handand continue using to revolve aroundthis finger.

Hindu Gods and Goddesses weapons- Trishula

Hindu Gods and Goddesses weapons- Trishula• The Trishula (त्ररर् ल) symbolizes the ‘rich’ and polyvalent.

It is the weapon of Hindu god Mahadeva and is said tohave been used to sever the original head of Ganesha.Many other gods and goddesses also hold Trishula as theirweapon, including Goddess Durga. The three points of theTrishula symbolize various meanings in various regard,commonly the trinities (creation, maintenance anddestruction); the three Gunas (the past, present andfuture). Shiva’s Trishula is said to have devastated thethree worlds: the physical world, the forefather’s worldand the world of mind. Trishula also symbolizes theTriratna of Buddha; but it is obviously as war symbolsrecognized by the Hindu outfit and they use it as symbolof war against their enemy; Bajrang Dal is one them thatwe will see in follow lines.

INC Flag meaning

India National Congress party(INC) flag is the same as Indianational flag with thisdifference that instead of theAshoka Wheel, they put anopen right hand in its whiteband; it also noticeable thatthe Republic of India’s flag,was INC flag beforeindependent that changed toNational flag.

BJP Flag meaningBJP as second India party has three symbols in

its flag; two vertical bands with green andSaffron and also a blue lotus flower insaffron color part. So all the symbols in thisflag related to Hinduism. It is one of thedifferent between INC and BJB which thatHindu symbol has more preference in theirflag. This fact show that how much they arecarful about Hinduism. Lotus had beenassociated with gods and goddesses. TheHindu gods have been used lotus to takeposition on it. So lotus is related to godlyworld and purity, wealth, rebirth andenlightens.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) The RSS is one of the important radical

Hindu organization that is consider asmother of other Hindu nationalistorganizations. The symbol of thisorganization is plain saffron flag. TheRSS is funded in 1925 and announceitself as a social movement ratherthan a political party. No it is a socio-political organizations. RSS membershave gathering in all corner of Indiamade them proper for activities andinvolving in local civiliandevelopment.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)

The Bajrang Dal is founded in 1984 with“Service, safety, and culture" slogan.Actually is the armed wing of one ofthe main Sangh Parivar organizationwith the name of Vishva HinduParishad (VHP). It founded on thebase of Hindutva Ideology. It is anUttar Pradesh (UP) group that nowvast itself all around India. Stoppingcow slaughter and building Ramtemple in Ayodhya (Fizabad in UP),Krishna temple in Mathura and KashiVishwanath temple in Varanasi (UP)are their goal. It is noticeable that allthis temple now are somemasterpiece mosques that the Babrimosque in Ayodhya weredemolished in 1990s by them andMathura and Varanasi mosques areavailable and till now they could notdestroyed them. They (same asother Sangh Parivar’s group)involved in so many sectarian andcommunal riots against minority allaround India.

Bajrang Dal

Bajrang Dal

Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP)

Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) The Vishva Hindu Parishad (विश्ि हिन्दू परिषद) or “World HinduCouncil” is one of the important one among Hindu nationalistorganizations that founded in 1964. Its youth wing is Bajrang Dal andwomen’s wing is Durga Vahini. The VHP volunteers are known for theirhard work to promote and restore Hinduism, to expand unity andpride among all Hindus by its social service projects, encourage theconstruction and restoration of Hindu temples, confrontation withorthodox practices in Hinduism like the caste system, conflicting tocow (as holly being in Hinduism) slaughter or confrontation withconversion of Hindus to other religions and taking up issues in theinterest of Hindus such as resolving the Ayodhya dispute. Its symbol isthe banyan ( معابدانجیردرخت ) tree and a Ssaffron colored flag with OM,Swastika and sward sign on it. VHP considers Buddhists, Jains andSikhs as part of the greater Hindu family. Their aims are strengthen theHindu Society, protect, promote and propagate Hindu values.

Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha• The Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha (श्खि ल भाित

शिन्‍दू मिासभा) or “All-India Hindu Assembly” is apolitical party founded in 1914 in Amritsar torepresent Hindus as religious majority of India. It redflag (Dhavja) is the flag that use on most of Hindutemple and festivals means victory, that have an OMsign which covered by a sun a Swastika sign andsward. RSS was its competitor. It believed in thesuperiority of Hindu culture, religion and heritage. TheMahasabha advocates that Sikhs, Jains and Buddhistsare also Hindu in terms of national and politicalidentity. It believe that Islam and Christianity areforeign religions and their holy places is located inArabia, Palestine and Rome, and that Indian Muslimsand Christians are simply descendants of Hindus whowere converted by force, coercion and bribery. Atvarious points in its history, the party called for the re-conversion of Muslims and Christians to Hinduism. TheMahasabha opposed socialism and communism asdecadent foreign ideologies that do not representIndia's indigenous needs and conditions.

Shiv Sena

Shiv Sena• The Shiv Sena (Army of Shiva) is another Hindu

outfit that mostly is active in Maharashtra. An agreetiger in a plain saffron field is its flag. The tiger issymbol of Shiva one the important Hindu god. It wasfounded in 1966 and we can say it was a Marathimovement and against migrant who were coming toBombay but it Hindu religion factor also made themas extremist nationalist in this regard also and theyparticipate in numerous riot against minorityespecially against Muslim there. They weresuccessful to gain power so many times in local stateelection and in nationwide size also allied by BJP.

Conclusion• Combination of politics and religion put majority

(the Hindus) in front of minority; and affectedconstitutional Secularism factor which recognizedby the founder of new India in constitution. Sofrom the eve of independent till now, Indianminority faced with cruel mascaras that the threelast ones was Gujarat riots in 2002 that Muslimfamilies were killed and burnt and also the Orissariot that the Christian Missionary were attacked,and the Muzaffarnagar riots that Muslim familieswere attacked and leaves so many lives. Sectarianand communal riot under flag of political partieswho mix politics and religion lead communitieswith religious base to clash with each othersystemically. It is the dangers full confrontation;because in these clashes the two sides feelhimself as representative of God and so they willbecame crueller to do their duty from God. Sothe parties which shaped on religious nationalismborrowed their symbols from religion to followingpower in the name of religions.