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AGNI (Flame)
it is used as weapon of war and as an important component
of offerings. It is often carried by Shiva. It may be held by the
fire God Agni or may issue from his body. |
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ANKUSH (Goda)
It is made of small wooden handle topped by a strong and sharp metal
hook. The handle is sometimes in the form of Vajra. It is the attribute
of many tantric deities. When the goad is surmounted by a Vajra, it
is called Vajrankush: |
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AKSHAMALA
(Rosary)
It is a symbol of the never ending cycle. It is a string of beads.
The beads are of a kind of seed of dried fruit. It may be made of
other material also such as crystal. In Buddhist Tradition, it is
a special symbol of Avalokiteswar. It is also a symbol of Prajnaparmita,
Chunda, Vasundhara. In Hindu tradition, Brahma, Shiva, Ganesh and
Saraswati also carry it. |
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BANA (Arrow)
Bana is an arrow. It is the symbol of awareness appears with tantric
deities Marici, Kurukulla. |
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BINA (LUTE)
It is a stringed musical instrument. It is a favourite instrument
of Saraswati, goddess of wisdom, learning and arts. |
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CHAITYA (Stupa)
Chaitya or the Stupa, which represents the Buddhist Universe, is the
Buddhist sanctuary, sometimes square and sometimes round, with spires
or steps on the capital. Each spire or step represents a haven, the
uppermost portion being a point which is supposed to be the highest
peak of Mount Sumeru, a mythical mountain whence the Boddhichitta
loses itself in sunya. On the four sides of the chaitya the figures
of four Dhyani Buddhas Akshobhya. Ratna sambhav, Amitabha, Amoghasiddhi
are placed. The place of Vairochana is in the centre. In some Chaitya
Vairochana is placed to the east along with Akshobhya. |
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CHAKRA (Wheel)
Wheel is a symbol of absolute completeness. In the vedic
times the wheel was symbolical of occult powers and symbol of Hindu
God Vishnu or Krishna. In Buddhism, it symbolizes the wheel of the
law which turns twelve times or three revolutions for each of the
four noble truths. It is represented with eight spokes indicating
the eight fold path of salvation. |
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CHANDRA (Moon)
It appears often above the image of deities. In Buddhist Vajrayana
tradition symbolizes complementary of opposites. Both Sambar and Shiva
have the crescent moon as their hair dress. |
