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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 willful adherence to Saivate philosophy. The three
stands for pati, pasa and pasu - the three cardinal tenets of
Saivism. And to ! 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.
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