LOTUS : Ultimate Beauty
Ancient manuscripts and iconography of India use the lotus extensively as a symbol of many abstract principles. Gods and goddesses are constantly portrayed as standing in or sitting upon a many-splendoured red or white lotus and carrying lotuses in their hands.

The lotus has a universal place in many religions of India because it is a symbol of peace and detachment from worldly matters. It represents union with divinity while inspiring innumerable poetic images and graphic designs in the Indian artistic heritage.

Buddhist and Jain deities too are portrayed as sitting in repose with lotuses in their hands. In all the eastern religions, the lotus is a symbol of beauty, grace, divine peace and total detachment from the worldly qualities of greed, anger, lust passion, jealousy and ego.

The lotus, by its very nature, grows in a mossy pool full of weeds and dirt. In fact, it can take birth only in dirt and slime. Yet, its beauty is unparalleled. The lotus thus lives in the world of mossy water, but does not really belong to it. It is detached, complete in itself, pure and beautiful.

The many petals of the mythical lotus also symbolise layers of the human personality. As they open, the individual gradually reaches closer to self realization. The core of the lotus therefore stands for release from earthly bondage and everlasting life. It is the national flower of India and a unique symbol of Indian culture.

In Indian literature, it has the greatest variety of names. Because of its name Padma, Lakshmi is called Padma or Padmaja meaning 'born of a lotus'. Because it is called Kamal, Vishnu is called Kamalnayan or 'lotus eyed'. The image of a lotus and a bee is constantly repeated in devotional literature to portray god as the perfectly formed fragrant flower with the devotee's love being the bee that hovers around it.

The lotus is found in many colours and shapes - that which blooms during the day is called Nalin, Aravind or Utpala. That which blooms at night is known as Kumuda. The many names of the lotus are also used to describe aspects of divinity and the mercy of god.