Hinduism and Symbol Worship

The Hindus have innumerable symbols for worship. It is difficult to count them all. But an attempt has been made to discuss some of the most important symbols. The work is divided in twelve chapters, bibliography and index 1. Hinduism and its Chief features 2. Philosophy of the Hindus 3. Important of Hindu Sects 4. Symbolism of the ten Avatars 5. Symbols of Tree and Serpent 6. Yaksas 7. Worship of the Sun and the Moon 8. Siva the Symbols of Happiness 9. The Mother –Goddess 10. The Three Main Goddess 11. Ganesa the symbol of wisdom 12. A few  more Sybols. Bibliography and index. Symbols play a very important part in our material and spiritual life. Though they may look simple and unimportant but they are very scientific and effective. For example Tilaka is a Mark of auspiciousness. The devotees of Siva apply sacred ashes on the forehead, the devotees of Vishnu apply Chandan and the worshipers of Sakti apply Kumkumma. The scripture say, “ A forehead without a Tilaka, a women a husband , a Mantra the meaning of which is not know while doing japa the head that does not bend before holy personage, a heart without mercy, a house without a well, a  village without a temple, without a river , a society without a leader, wealth that is not given away in Charity, preceptor without a disciple,  country without a justice, a king without an able minister, a women not obedient to her husband, a well without water, a flower without smell, a soul devoid of holiness, afield without rains , an intellect without clearness, a disciple who does not consider his preceptor  as a form of god, a body devoid of health, custom without purity austerity devoid of fellow –feeling, speech in which truth is not the basis, a country without good people work without wages, Sanyasa without renunciation, legs which have not performed pilgrimages, a determination unaided by viveka a knife which is blunt, a cow  which  does not give milk, a spear without a point –all these are worthy of condemnations. They exist for name’s sake only.” From this we can very well imagine the importance of sacred symbol like Tilaka. It is very scientific also. Tilaka is applied on the space between the two eyebrows. It has very cooling effect. Tilaka indicates the point at which the spirituals eye opens. An important legacy received by Indian Art from it Vedic source of life and literature in the number of symbols is depicted from the earliest time.