THE THIRD EYE :
Font of Perception
An Indian symbol that often baffles many in the West is the third
eye. A number of Hindu deities, particularly Shiva, the destroyer
and cosmic dancer, and his wife Durga, are portrayed in iconography
as having a third eye in the centre of the forehead. In fact, this is
merely a symbol representing the capacity of human consciousness to
see beyond the obvious to perceive beyond the outwardly visible and
tangible; to reach that inner source of life which is the font of divine
energy and power. This symbolism says that all human beings who use
their discriminative powers, can, in the silence of their inner selves,
seek the sanctuary of truth and purity. Despite this deep metaphysical
meaning, the symbol of the third eye is often mistake as the power of
destroy.
LAKSHMI'S FOOTPRINTS : Auspicious Presence
Stop across the doorway from any mud-walled, thatched village hut in
India and you see tiny, delicately-drawn female footprints on
walls and thresholds. These stylized foot prints drawn in white and
vermilion are an ancient graphic design depicting Lakshmi, the goddess
of luster and good fortune.
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Vermilion
or white footprints drawn in a delicate graphic design are
auspicious and festive.
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Particularly on festive days, women draw
these small, auspicious footprints on thresholds at twilight to welcome
Lakshmi, who bestows wealth and wisdom, health and good cheer.
A new daughter-in-law, entering her matrimonial home, is welcomed with
Lakshmi's footprints drawn over the door. This symbol of the footprint
is used during all sacraments which concern women. Particularly during
her Seemant, a pregnant woman walks over Kumkum or vermilion powder
and leaves her footprints around the house as she walks on that auspicious
day. It is a practice in many communities for the husband to give her
gifts in return for these footprints which promise fortune and long
life to the coming child.
