The word Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) has a definite etymological origin in Sanskrit. It is derived from the Sanskrit root स्वस्ति, which is composed of two words सु & अस्ति. सु means good, well or auspicious & अस्ति means being, existent, present or there is. So, the meaning of स्वस्ति is, may it be auspicious, hail, good luck, success or prosperity & it was commonly used as a greeting during Vedic period. The word स्वस्ति occurs frequently in the Vedas as well as in the classical literature. A word used as an adjective at the beginning of another word or phrase to denote auspiciousness or wellbeing. For example, स्वस्तिर्भवतः - May everlasting Bliss to you, स्वस्तिर्वचनम् - May everlasting Bliss in your speech, स्वस्यस्तुः - May everlasting Bliss exists in you, स्वस्तिर्भव - May there be everlasting blessings on you or स्वस्तिर्मुखम् - May everlasting Bliss on your face. A word used in conjunction with certain ritual practices that are meant to bring peace & prosperity. For example, स्वस्ति-अयनम् - May there be everlasting Bliss/ blessings in your life. The ‘क' is a common suffix & after applying that suffix the word becomes स्वस्तिकः which means ‘a kind of mystical mark denoting good luck/ good fortune/ auspiciousness’.
Scholars verified the origin of the word स्वस्ति in the Vedas which are known as the स्वस्ति mantras;
स्वस्ति न इन्द्रो वृद्धश्रवाः । स्वस्ति नः पूषा विश्ववेदाः ।
स्वस्ति नस्तार्क्ष्यो अरिष्टनेमिः । स्वस्ति नो वृहस्पतिर्दधातु ॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
Meaning- May Indra whose glory is great, bestow well-being on us; may Pushan who is all-knowing, bestow well-being on us; may Tarkshaya who is the circle of protection, bestow well-being on us; may Brihaspati also bestow well-being on us.
The Vedic explanation of the word स्वस्ति from the Vedas;
स्वस्त्याशीः क्षेमपुण्यादौ।
Meaning- May there be everlasting Bliss in your blessings, prosperity & meritorious deeds, etc.
The definition of the word स्वस्तिकः is;
सु अस्ति येन तत् स्वस्तिकः।
Meaning- And that is Swastika through which everything auspicious occurs.
Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) is the pious symbol. It depicts numerous meanings in various religions & cultures. It is used as a symbol of divinity & spirituality in Indian religions; including Hinduism, Buddhism & Jainism. In Hinduism, the right-facing symbol (卐) is the correct symbol which is called Swastika (स्वस्तिकः), symbolizing the rotation of the sun, prosperity & good luck. Swastik (स्वस्तिकः) is regarded highly auspicious in Hindu Scriptures, astrology & proves its significance in the Science of Architecture (House Management i.e. वास्तुशास्त्रम्) as well. The symbol is used in almost all Hindu worships & is made on the main door, threshold, vehicle, electronic machines, etc. In Jainism, the Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) is the symbol for Suparshvanatha – the seventh of 24 Tirthankaras (spiritual teachers & saviours), while in Buddhism it symbolizes the auspicious footprints of the Buddha.
Not only in Hindus but similar shapes like Swastika hold their importance in many religions & cultures. The Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) is the symbol known & accepted globally for its piousness. In several major Indo-European religions, the Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) symbolizes lightning bolts, representing the thunder god & the king of the gods, such as Indra in Vedic Hinduism, Zeus in the ancient Greek religion, Jupiter in the ancient Roman religion & Thor in the ancient Germanic religion.
Archaeological history of Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) -
There is the history regarding the symbol of the Swastika (स्वस्तिकः). According to the archaeological records, the Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) symbol is seen in various cultures & civilizations. This include Indo-Aryan, Indus Valley Civilization, Slavs, Greeks & Celts. Also, it was found in the archaeological surveys in Early Bronze age & Iron age. But it is the Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Shamanism & Mithraism where the Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) became a sacred symbol.
In the stone ages & proto history, ancient tribes & pastoral people might have used several symbols as their ritual symbols or to practice rituals. Therefore, it is possible that some symbols that closely resemble the Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) might have been used in different regions of the world by some ancient tribes. However, the Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) that we know today did not originate from them. Hinduism has been the only religion where the word & the symbol have been used uninterruptedly at least for 4000-5000 years. There is no evidence that the Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) has been used on such a massive scale & for so long by common people anywhere else except in Hinduism. Because of its widespread popularity & positive image, it found its way into Buddhism & Jainism also. But these religions did not invent Swastik as some want to argue, they just adapted it.
The word Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) has been used in Hinduism since 500 BCE. The truth is the Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) is a ritual word & an ancient symbol of Hinduism. It is an auspicious symbol which has been in use since the early Vedic period. Since it has been popular & widely used across many cultures in the Indian subcontinent since millenniums, it has both secular & religious meanings. Furthermore, it was never used in the country of its origin, even vaguely or remotely, in a racial or discriminatory sense to denote the authority, superiority or supremacy of any particular group or religion. It has always been used to cleanse & sanctify the place or to attract good luck, peace & prosperity. It has always been & still is a ritual symbol used for purification & sanctification.
Significance of the Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) –
The Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) stands out in Hindu cultural & religious beliefs because of its incredibly insightful significant depth involved in the symbol. The four sides of the Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) depict many different things & has deep significance attached to it. As per Hinduism, the four sides of the Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) are the four main Hindu Vedas which are four pillars of Hinduism i.e. ऋग्वेदः, यजुर्वेदः, सामवेदः, अथर्ववेदः. The four sides also depict, the four stages of life (आश्रमः) i.e. ब्रह्मचर्यम् - the student’s life or celibacy, गृहस्थः - the householder’s life, वानप्रस्थः - the forest-dwelling life, संन्यासः - the renunciation life. The four sides of Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) also illustrate the four goals of life (पुरुषार्थः) i.e. धर्मः – Religion, अर्थः - Economical, कामः - Desire & मोक्षः - Liberation.
The Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) is also regarded as the symbol of Sun. The right side of the Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) signifies the rotation of sun, which starts from the north then east, south & lastly to west. It suggests the motion of the sun from India. Sun is one of the reasons of existence of life on the earth & thus the symbol of the Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) holds an auspicious importance to us in our daily lives. The symbol of the Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) also represents the path connecting the earth & the heaven. It is believed that the path connecting the earth & the heaven looks similar to the Swastika (स्वस्तिकः). Hence, the Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) is the significant symbol that brings success in all the fields of life.
Benefits of marking the Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) symbol on the threshold –
In Hinduism marking the Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) symbol on the threshold (i.e. the entrance of the house) with red turmeric powder (कुंकुमः) is seen very frequently. This Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) mark is made on the threshold of the house (i.e. the entrance of the house), almost every day or during auspicious occasions.
Now, what is the correct way of marking the threshold (i.e. the entrance of the house) with the red turmeric powder (कुंकुमः)? First of all, one has to sit outside the house, facing towards the main door of the house. Later, one has to clean the threshold (i.e. the entrance of the house) with the clean water & dry it with a clean cloth. Then only, one can mark the threshold (i.e. the entrance of the house) with the Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) symbol using the wet red turmeric powder (कुंकुमः) with the ring figure of the right hand. After marking the Swastika symbol, one should always put some rice or flower petals on it to complete the threshold (i.e. the entrance of the house) worship & offerings to the Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) symbol. Following are the benefits of marking the Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) symbol on the threshold;
1. Marking the Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) symbol on the threshold brings success & prosperity of the house.
2. It brings good health & good luck to the family.
3. It attracts all the positive energy from the surrounding of the house & bless the house with positivity.
4. The Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) symbol represents the power of the Supreme Being that removes obstacles & ensures success in all the aspects of life.
5. It invokes the blessings of the Deities.
6. It is also believed to attract goddess Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth).
7. The Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) also purifies the place & protects from evil spirits, sickness & misfortune & thus reduces diseases & mourning of the house.
8. It eliminates the negative energies coming towards the house or towards the family member.
This is the reason why Hindus mark the Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) symbol on the threshold, as it is considered auspicious, it brings luck, wellbeing, prosperity & positivity to the house. So now, if anyone ask you that why does Hindus mark Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) on the threshold, you have better answer to this question. The Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) is also marked on vehicles, electronic items, door of the house, temple, etc. for its auspiciousness & to attract positivity & good luck because, Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) is the purest & sacred symbol in Hinduism. Hence, the symbol of Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) gives strength, steadiness, determination & also offers happiness.
Thus, Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) is one of the essential symbols of Hindu religion. It also represents purity of soul, truth & stability of life. There is no such worship, celebration or ritual which is completed without marking the Swastika (स्वस्तिकः). This is just one symbol that has a depth meaning behind its foundation. Hence, Swastika (स्वस्तिकः) must be given importance in our day to day life to attain sovereignty, positivity, prosperity, success & joy of life.
अधिक अश्विनः कृष्णपक्षे ३, २०७६
Namaste