lotus notes

Thoroughly intertwined with Indian mythology and archaeological excavations, it has been clearly and unmistakably proven that “Lotus” was the most recognizable and distinguished symbol found with deities and played a crucial role in reflecting the elevated realm of those gods. and goddesses.

Weapons and other accessories varied, but the Lotus was always present as an identifiable emblem. This flower was primarily used by visionary artists and sculptors to represent the seat of a particular deity. It was also shown in the hands of some esteemed mythological deities such as “Brahma”, “Lakhsmi”, “Durga”, “Vishnu”, etc.

In Buddhism and even Jainism, the Lotus played a remarkable symbolic role that was alluring and stimulating to seekers of truth.

The symbol

Buddha once held a lotus (along with its roots) in his hands and was speechless in front of his followers. With a mysterious smile on his lips and a question flickering in his eyes, he looked at the gathering. All except “Maha Kashyapa” [1] he was puzzled by the posture of the Buddha.

Mahakashyapa smiled and bowed to the Buddha for his wonderful way of teaching. Later responding to the query posed by “Ananda”, one of the Buddha’s most beloved disciples, he said: “The roots of the lotus represent the crude mind that usually pollutes with impure earthly desires and remains submerged in the muddy water or symbolically the subconscious mind.

A realized person, recognizing the true nature of this world, rises from it similar to the lotus and attains the “Bodhi” or Nirvana state. The lotus emerges from the dirty and muddy water and blooms fresh without any stain. They have a sutra named after lotus and also the most sung hymn “Om Mani Padme Hum” also contains the word “Padme” which is a Sanskrit/Prakritic synonym of Lotus.

In Hindu representations of gods, whether male or female; they mostly sat on a lotus (especially pink and purple for female deities) or held it in their hand.

The symbolism related to Hindu concepts is not very different from Buddhist ideology. Buddhism evolved from “Sanatana Dharma” which is actually the Indian religion. The term “Hindu” means a geographical location [2].

We can select any idol or pictorial representation of a deity; we will definitely find a lotus in most cases.

the obvious questions

What does it mean?

Why did sculptors or artists constantly add this motif on almost all idols?

Does it represent a state of being?

These are some common questions that arise in our minds. There is more to this. The author took care of the queries and this is his sincere effort to share his findings.

Generally, mythology is the repository of all the colors, shapes and knowledge that surround the deities. Although these mythological stories have a deeper symbolic meaning and are ultimately unified with Vedantic philosophy, they are still presented primarily as fantasy.

Vedanta and many other epitome ideas believe in the unity of everything and established the paradigm of a single supreme source from which all other things arose (duality).

The trap

This visible universe is a matrix of illusion that eventually metamorphoses into a different form that may be an entirely unknown environment for us. Nothing is consistent in this apparently existing creation. Momentary affections and attractions fade over time and a new feeling of attachment grows. These emotional connections change over time, but the attachments to this wide range of temporary objects remain.

Religion or more specifically, spirituality tells us to refrain from these incoherent worldly objects. It tells us to focus on the timeless entity that resides within us.

“Kalatraya api tishthati iti sat”: The absolute truth always remains unchanged in the three stages of time (ie past, present and future). Indian philosophy, mainly Vedanta, tells us to meditate on our own self, which will remain forever.

But, this is not so easy. The “Maya” or the illusory matrix will defend itself strongly to keep us within the unreal world that we perceive with our limited senses.

We have to break this tether and rise from our muddy, murky waters of earthly life like a lotus.

All those who managed to break through the deceitful matrix and rose to a higher level and felt or realized the truth, are sitting on a lotus.

Resting or holding a lotus symbolizes the higher level of consciousness. Certifies the success of conquering the “Maya” or “Maar” is the cult of Buddha.

The beginning…

The implications given by the revered sages and seers (rishi) are encoded in idols, images or pictographs. The figures inscribed in the temples or pagodas are mainly a code that is kept for us to decipher. It is a puzzle to be solved.

We have our individual perceptions shaped in our childhood by the books we read, the people we exchange ideas with, the culture we separate from, our heritage, and prominently, the belief system we gradually develop over time. This belief becomes more difficult over time and creates a framework within which we become prisoners most of the time.

Lotus calls us to open our eyes wide and realize the darkness of our biased principles and imperfect concepts and apply the proven logical approach towards reality.

Absolute reality can be incredibly different from what our wildest imaginations can dream of.

When someone understands the true message of a lotus; the way opens for them.

That moment is the beginning of a journey. A journey that will end within us.

A little more

The chakra system in our astral body also resembles a lotus. We have seven main chakras, but in Sanskrit they are described as “the Padma” or Lotus. They are the following from the root (coccyx).

Muladhara Padma (Root Chakra) – 4 petals

Swadhisthana Padma (Sacral Chakra) – 6 petals

Manipura Padma (Solar Chakra) – 10 petals

Anahata Chakra (Heart Chakra) – 12 petals

Visuddha Padma (Throat Chakra) – 16 petals

Ajna Padma (Third Eye Chakra) – 2 petals

Sahasrara Padma (Crown Chakra) – 1000 petals (multidimensional)

In addition to Indian philosophy, the Egyptians also represented the lotus as a symbol of immortality.

They used the purple lotus to show the royal status. Various colors of lotuses are used to reflect an attached idea.

Whatever the color, the lotus has always symbolized a higher consciousness.

May we all realize the lotus within us.

[1] Maha Kashyapa was an old disciple of the Buddha. He came from Magadha and was previously a sannyasi (monk). He had a long discussion with the Buddha and finally followed Buddhism. [Author’s note]

[2] India was known as Bharat Varsha by the ancient Indians. Also known as Arya Varta based on the Aryan domain. The Indus River (Sindhu) flowed from the Himalayas to the Arabian Sea. The people who lived on the western bank of the Indus or “Sindhu” called the eastern region as Hind because they pronounced “S” like “H”. The term “Hind” iterated to “Hindu”. This name was given by foreigners. So “Hindu” is not a religion, it’s a geographical location. Sanatana Dharma is the true religion of India. [Authors note]

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