Swastika and Astrology
Swastika and Astrology Swastika was famous in Sindhu-Sarasvati Tradition. It is a famous Tantric Symbol used for various kinds of worships. Does it have some relationship with astrology? Can it clarify to us anything about the tradition of Mohanjadaro-Harappan civilization and the kind of astrology they followed? The answer is: Yes. Before proceeding to this study, let us understand what Swastika is - as you know, it is a symbol. Symbol of what? That we will see. Two sets of Swastika representations are given below. The first is considered male and the second female.
Male Female
(Closkwise) (Anti-clockwise)
This is a symbol that was and is famous throughout the world from the ancient past. Tibetans believed that the devils liked the female Swastika. In Japan and China both the male and female swastikas
were considered auspicious. North American people too considered both of them as auspicious! In Scandinavia, Arabia and many other places this symbol was well known. Now a days Swastika is not only used by the Agama (Tantric) tradition but also by the Nigama (Vedic) tradition and many other religions and cults; It is popular in India and outside; even though the original home of the symbol is known to everybody as India. Hitler made the male swastika
notoriously known - and many say that he selected it by mistake; instead of the currently popular female swastika selecting the transposed one. May be they don’t know about the history of Swastika and its Agama tradition. In truth as per the ancient Agama (Tantric) tradition there are two type of Swastika symbolically termed male and female. Both the swastikas were used for worship based on the nature of worship. But Hitler selected the one symbolizing Male
(representing good deeds?) and made it famous as a bad symbol. Due to this or not I don’t know, today’s Hindus seems to have a preference for the female swastika; may be to escape from the bad name Hitler caused to the male swastika. :) But even now in Agama tradition the Male swastika is used for the worship for good deeds (worship for spiritual uplift or for the benefit of all) and the Female swastika is especially selected for bad deeds (worship for
selfish achievements). The original shape of Swastika is shown in Fig.1 and Fig. 2. It is the shape of swastika famous in India from the ancient past and is part of the Agama (Tantric) tradition. For tantric worship when the swastika chakra is drawn different colors (usually with 4 colors - White, Yellow, Red, Black) would be used to color the differ areas within the swastika chakra (circle). It is cute to not that even though drawn as square shape, Swastika drawn for Tantric worship is known as Chakra (Wheel = Circle!). Yes, as the word indicates, it is actually a circle or wheel represented in square shape similar to the zodiac circle which even though a circle we usually represent as a square for
convenience of drawing. Actually it is nothing but the Zodiac itself! How can we say so? What is the proof? The answer is - Do you ever noticed the Agama (Tantric) directions given to draw swastika? If not, here it is. For Male swastika +xiɶSÉiÉÖ¹{ÉiÉÊ´É®úÉÊVÉiÉ®úÉʶÉSÉGäò ¨Éä¹ÉÉÊnùEòÊjÉiɪÉEòÉÊxÉ {ÉnùÉÊxÉ ¤ÉÉÁä ´Éè·ÉÉxÉ®ú|ɨÉÖJÉiÉÉälÉ {ÉnùÉÊxÉ ¨ÉvªÉä SÉÉ{ÉÚ®úªÉärù´É³ý{ÉÒiÉ®úVÉ& Gò¨ÉähÉ** [In the infinite zodiac starting from Mesha (Aries) 3 padas (signs) each, cover, each area represented in swastika chakra. Gods such as ‘Vaiswanara’ (=The universal god) etc sits in the middle of Swastika Chakra.
After drawing the Chakra fill it with colors such as White, Yellow, Red and Black in order] For female swastika this description would be as ‘Meenadika’ meaning ‘Pisces onwards’ in anti-clockwise direction. The 4 quarters of Swastika indicates the 4 directions; as malefemale combination it is the representative of Siva-Sakti itself; as the zodiac it represents the universe; it indicates the oneness of the universal god with the universe; the oneness of the universe and the human efforts to grasp that oneness with fragmented classifications. In the practical plane of astrology - It represents the
Zodiac, it represents the Year. Thus it becomes clear that Swastika is a symbol of Agama (Tantric) tradition, well-known, well understood, well described. Yes, it was the tradition with a glorious past; with a glorious continuity from the Mohangadaro-Harappan civilization! The Harappan people practiced Yoga (remember the Moolabandhasa posture of the Yogic figures), Tantra (remember the Siva symbols of Harappa and the worship of Sakti, the mother goddess). Yes,
the ancient Sindhu-Sarasvati civilization followed the Agama tradition; which once spanned throughout the world; It is the same Asura/Agama tradition - which created the Nirayana astrology; feeling the rhythmic oneness of the universe within themselves! The original name of Harappa is Meluhha. Even though the Kalibengan Vedic people who lived on the Indian side of Sarasvati
started calling them Mlechhas (‘Meluhas’ = Meluhans = People of Meluha), initially with equal respect and later with contempt for not following the Vedic (=Brahmanic) path; the Agama tradition was spread throughout India; Siva and Sakti and the Tantric symbol of Zodiac never lost its relevance; and it was
the path followed by the true seekers of the ultimate; and is in use till today. Be proud to be the followers of such a tradition - and be proud that we are the students of a great branch of Agama Sastra that is Nirayana Astrology. Don’t you wonder - The Vedic tradition gave more value to the Tropical Year
and months and the fixed frame of reference provided by Nakshatra divisions; but still the Agama tradition of Niryana astrology which consider the fixed from work of Meshadi (starting from Aries) signs survived and is the most popular system in India even today. Yes, the same is the case with the culture and gods of India - the Nigama (Vedic) tradition is an almost forgotten past; but the Agama tradition is the reality in current practice throughout India!
If you don’t believe look at the gods - Siva, Sakti (Devi, Chadika, Kali, Durga), Naga (Snake worship; Kundalini Pooja) etc; and also at the popularity of Nirayana Zodiacal astrology. Do you find the Vedic gods Indra, Mitra, Varuna any where? Even after the epics and puranas how many temples for later day
Vishnava cult gods of Brahmins such as Rama and Krishna can you find in India? Alas! Even the Vedic gods had to resort to the temple worship of later day Agama tradition to preserve their existence! You could easily see that the Vedic culture got submerged here in India by the original Agama tradition! Only
the trace remains in the form of Vedic literature - but yes it is much valuable; since the Agama tradition never succeeded to that extend in preserving the scriptures.
Note 1: I think now you know the answer to the question, “What Swastika symbolize?”. Yes, it is a holistic symbol with utmost relevance.
Note 2: The Vedic tradition borrowed much from the earlier Agama tradition; proofs are many for the same in Vedas. The current Archeological evidences too point to the same direction.
