EMBLEMS OF SIVA

Emblems, by nature represent certain ideas and ideals more conspicuously than the objects they stand for. Their visual appeal is decidedly great. Among the many emblems the Saivism adopted, atleast three deserve mention. They are classified into visual and mental. Ash marks on the forehead is one, and it at once declares that the wearer is a Saiva. It has great symbolic significance. Saivism attaches a very great importance to it. According to agamas, Lord Siva - pati in the role of layakara - dissolution of life snaps - pasa bond, binding man - pasu to this transitory sinful world. He burns them to ashes out of extreme love for this own children. His joy over this is ecstatic and He does it willfully to lifting them from eternal thraldom. As a mark of this, He smears it on His forehead and all over body, as a matter of fact. Saivas are enjoined to smear their forehead as Siva does. The three distinct lines across the forehead indicate one's wilful adherence to Saivate philosophy. The three stands for pati, pasa and pasu - the three cardinal tenets of Saivism. And lo! for the honour of it, and its defence, battles were fought and blood was shed in the past by zealots, due to prevailing trends of religion.

Next is Rudraksha mala. It has a long legend behind it. It runs - the demon Tripura turned a veritable Yama to humans and devas on getting innumerable boons from Brahma. Mother Earth accompanied by gods, reached Kailas and wailed piteously before Siva soliciting His-intervention for killing him. The pathetic tale was so moving that Lord Siva actually shed tears before them. They were later converted into seeds. Trees that have grown from them are found in Himalayan region in plenty, as it was the scene of action. Weaving them on thread and wearing in the form of mala recalls to minds the Lord's Omnicompassion, and it is a mark of devotion to the Lord also. 

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