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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 as-
trology 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 dont 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 fa-
mous as a bad symbol. Due to this or not I dont know, todays Hin-
dus 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 wor-
ship for good deeds (worship for spiritual uplift or for the benefit of
all) and the Female swastika is especially selected for bad deeds (wor-
ship 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 swas-
tika 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
Fig. 1 Fig. 2
Fig. 3 Fig. 4
Fig. 5 Fig. 6
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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 -
-rrrrrrtrzrt-rrzrtrrr+ -rrrt:+t:rrr+rt-r r:rt-r -rr<
r-rr-rzr-r=rrrr r:rt-r -rr rrrzrrrtrz-r +-rr11
[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 male-
female combination it is the representative of Siva-Sakti itself; as the
zodiac it represents the universe; it indicates the oneness of the uni-
versal god with the universe; the oneness of the universe and the hu-
man efforts to grasp that oneness with fragmented classifications. In
the practical plane of astrology - It represents the Zodiac, it repre-
sents 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 civili-
zation 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 seek-
ers of the ultimate; and is in use till today. Be proud to be the follow-
ers of such a tradition - and be proud that we are the students of a
great branch of Agama Sastra that is Nirayana Astrology. Dont 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 con-
sider the fixed from work of Meshadi (starting from Aries) signs sur-
vived 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 dont 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 exist-
ence! 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 rel-
evance.
Note 2: The Vedic tradition borrowed much from the earlier Agama
tradition; proofs are many for the same in Vedas. The current Archeo-
logical evidences too point to the same direction.
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