Remember 'Da Vinci Code'??? In that novel, the character 'Robert Langdon' chases signs and symbols in search of 'The Holy Grail'. What do you think The Holy Grail is??? A real chalice??? Lord Jesus's Bloodline??? Or something else??? If you ask my opinion on that, I would say, ''I don't know''. For me it is just a symbol and a rather strong one. So strong that many historians and treasure hunters still try to find it.
Well, let us not go so far and begin with day to day life. It is said that a picture is worth more than a thousand words. What do you think a picture is??? A photograph??? A painting or sketch??? In my opinion, it is just another symbol. Lets have a look around us. Everywhere inside our homes, on the streets, in our work places we find numerous things symbolic of something or the other. We hardly notice them but they put a strong impression on our minds and that is the beauty of symbols.
Have a look at your cell-phone. What is it??? Nokia-'connecting people'??? Or your shaving equipment??? Gillette- 'the best a man can get'??? The numerous logos and insignias we see daily like the 'tick mark sign' of nike (just do it) or the 'yin-yan balance'(seems to me like that) of pepsi...everything leaves their mark on us. Corporate sector knows very well how to use symbolism to influence us.
Let us deviate a little from these material things and enter the spiritual world. What do you think the Gods (or God,if you prefer) are??? I am a Hindu, so will discuss from that context only. According to our mythology, we have 33 crore Gods and Goddesses. Each one of them has a detailed description of what she/he is, how she/he looks and their functions and powers. Let me cite a few examples to explain the strong relation in symbolism and our faith.
Consider Lord Shri Rama. He is known as the ideal man (i wont go into details of any ones life). He symbolises purity. Goddess Sita, symbolizes dedication, Lord Hanumaan, symbolizes faith and service. Then came Lord Shri Krishna. He preached The Great Bhagwat-Geeta. He stressed on the power of 'karma'. There are numerous examples of such symbolic influence on our 'Sanatana Dharma' (the eternal religion). They have been formed on the very principles on which Hinduism is based. In a similar way, all other religions have symbolic associations between the founding principles and religious artifacts. I will not discuss about any other religion as my views may counter what others believe.
Now let us consider some recent developments in recent times. Remember 'Tahreer Square' and other revolutions that led to even toppling of the governments??? What do you think about these??? Someone stood up, protested and the public just joined the euphoria...may be yes, may be no... Consider the current situation in India. A movement for bringing a strong anti-corruption law, led by Anna Hazare. Who do you think Anna Hazare is??? Five months ago, nobody knew Anna Hazare, now he is a household name all over India. And Indian public is in a similar euphoria. Anna has become a symbol of the true freedom the Indian public is seeking. Such a strong influence of the 'Anna Symbol' is on today's India that everyone from youths to old aged, from poor to celebreties are out in public supporting him. This has added further to the euphoria. Remember, even the freedom was achieved due to strong symbolic influence. On one hand there were Gandhi and other non-violent leaders symbolizing the very principle of peace and harmony of Indian culture; on the other hand there were revolutionists like Subhash Chandra Bose (my personal favorite), Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad and others who symbolized the souls of public broken to the core due to english oppression and who wanted to break the rule as soon as possible. Whatever the method may be, the summary is that such symbols influenced public to join forces and act together.
Enough of history lessons now. See you again...
-Crazy Mind.
Well, let us not go so far and begin with day to day life. It is said that a picture is worth more than a thousand words. What do you think a picture is??? A photograph??? A painting or sketch??? In my opinion, it is just another symbol. Lets have a look around us. Everywhere inside our homes, on the streets, in our work places we find numerous things symbolic of something or the other. We hardly notice them but they put a strong impression on our minds and that is the beauty of symbols.
Have a look at your cell-phone. What is it??? Nokia-'connecting people'??? Or your shaving equipment??? Gillette- 'the best a man can get'??? The numerous logos and insignias we see daily like the 'tick mark sign' of nike (just do it) or the 'yin-yan balance'(seems to me like that) of pepsi...everything leaves their mark on us. Corporate sector knows very well how to use symbolism to influence us.
Let us deviate a little from these material things and enter the spiritual world. What do you think the Gods (or God,if you prefer) are??? I am a Hindu, so will discuss from that context only. According to our mythology, we have 33 crore Gods and Goddesses. Each one of them has a detailed description of what she/he is, how she/he looks and their functions and powers. Let me cite a few examples to explain the strong relation in symbolism and our faith.
Consider Lord Shri Rama. He is known as the ideal man (i wont go into details of any ones life). He symbolises purity. Goddess Sita, symbolizes dedication, Lord Hanumaan, symbolizes faith and service. Then came Lord Shri Krishna. He preached The Great Bhagwat-Geeta. He stressed on the power of 'karma'. There are numerous examples of such symbolic influence on our 'Sanatana Dharma' (the eternal religion). They have been formed on the very principles on which Hinduism is based. In a similar way, all other religions have symbolic associations between the founding principles and religious artifacts. I will not discuss about any other religion as my views may counter what others believe.
Now let us consider some recent developments in recent times. Remember 'Tahreer Square' and other revolutions that led to even toppling of the governments??? What do you think about these??? Someone stood up, protested and the public just joined the euphoria...may be yes, may be no... Consider the current situation in India. A movement for bringing a strong anti-corruption law, led by Anna Hazare. Who do you think Anna Hazare is??? Five months ago, nobody knew Anna Hazare, now he is a household name all over India. And Indian public is in a similar euphoria. Anna has become a symbol of the true freedom the Indian public is seeking. Such a strong influence of the 'Anna Symbol' is on today's India that everyone from youths to old aged, from poor to celebreties are out in public supporting him. This has added further to the euphoria. Remember, even the freedom was achieved due to strong symbolic influence. On one hand there were Gandhi and other non-violent leaders symbolizing the very principle of peace and harmony of Indian culture; on the other hand there were revolutionists like Subhash Chandra Bose (my personal favorite), Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad and others who symbolized the souls of public broken to the core due to english oppression and who wanted to break the rule as soon as possible. Whatever the method may be, the summary is that such symbols influenced public to join forces and act together.
Enough of history lessons now. See you again...
-Crazy Mind.
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