Symbols of the Divine

​Aarti Satguru Dev Ke Keejay
Gyan Prem Ki Murti Svami
With this Light I Surrender to the Beloved Satguru Dev 
Who is the Full Embodiment of Wisdom and Love
from "Aarti Satguru Devji" bhajan Written and Composed by Sri Svami Purnaji Maharaj

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 For millennia symbols have been used as a bridge or pathway to expand awareness of the mind and bring deeper meaning to concepts and ideas developed to try to explain the human relationship with the Divine.  Some symbols, such as Light, are well known and span across different cultures.  Some symbols may have one meaning in one culture or tradition and a completely different meaning in another.  One may look to an archetypal meaning that spans the collective consciousness; yet, it is also recommended to reflect on how you personally relate to a symbol, which can be unique and reflect on your direct life experience.  Contemplation is a key to unlocking the mysteries of the Symbols of the Divine.  

Below we explore some Symbols of the Divine, including descriptions of specific design elements of some Blessed Murtis (which you will find in the Purna Lakshmi Store by clicking here).  We also have shared some intentional practices so support your journey.

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Aarti: Offering the Light
The Flame of Light is a symbol of the Divine in many traditions.  When we worship the Light, we honor Life.  When we offer the Light, we recognize the Divine in everyone and everything.  In the Vedic and Yogic traditions, Aarti is the ritual act of offering a ghee lamp to a deity or High Being, surrendering over to the One who can relieve you of all suffering and activate the dormant power and hidden knowledge.  As the Light is waved, a mantra is chanted to invoke the Divine as different forms of Light: 

​Om agnir jyotir jyotir agnih svaha
suryo jyotir jyotih suryah svaha
agnir varco jyotir varcah svaha
suryo varco jyotir varcah svaha
jyotih suryah suryo jyotih svaha 
Om The Divine Fire is the Light, and the Light is the Divine Fire 
The Light of Wisdom is the Light, and the Light is the Light of Wisdom
The Divine Fire is the Offering and the Light is the Offering
            The Light of Wisdom is the Offering and the Light is the Light of Wisdom                

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The Beloved: Secrets of a Blessed Murti
Statues of deities can be found everywhere around the world.  While these statues may help evoke feelings of devotion or spiritual opening, the actual effects are limited to the consciousness of the person who crafted the statue.  On the other hand, a statue that has been Blessed by a High Being is transformed into a "Blessed Murti", which is revealed as a living representation of the figure in the statue.  A Blessed Murti is very rare and has the potential to awaken your body, mind, heart and soul.  It becomes more than a mere symbol; it transforms into Divine in form and can inspire deep respect and reverence to one who recognizes this Essence.

Blessed Murtis are designed for us to form a relationship with the Divine through form.  The Divine Relationship is Eternal, Perennial, Unconditional. When you love someone,  you want to know everything about that person.  You begin to live to please and serve your loved one.  As your spiritual practice matures and evolves, the desire for expanding into love of the Divine can blossom.  You may inexplicably be drawn to a particular deity represented through a Blessed Murti.  This opens the door for exploring the symbolism, meaning and significance of each aspect of the murti's design.  As you dive more

deeply into the relationship, the Essence of that which you worship begins to unfold within and without, fulfilling your life and path. You may begin to see the face of your Beloved everywhere.  Every moment is ripe for contemplation on the qualities of your Beloved Blessed Murti.  Over time through dedicated practice, you can begin to merge with and sink into that Divine Essence of your Beloved.  Your heart begins to expand and encompass more and more as you begin to experience the meaning of Divine Love, of Prem, of Bhakti.  

Intentional Practice
Sri Svami Purna Maharaj has Taught that intention setting is an important step before beginning any practice as it helps "gather" the mind and direct more awareness toward the practice at hand. ​ You are stating what it is that you want and how you want to direct the Energy.  For example, you may set the intention to connect to the Myrobalan plant that the Medicine Buddha holds and direct the Healing Energy to an organ that feels unwell, such as your stomach;  or, you may set the intention to connect to the Ganesha Mantra and direct that Energy to the 7 chakras in succession; or, you may set the intention to attune to the principle of timelessness, the Eternal, represented by Ardha-Chandrama on Shiva's head (see below descriptions of each symbol).  For sadhakas (seekers) it is recommended to become more and more efficient with energy so it can be used for higher growth and transformation, not wasted on activities that take one further from the Ultimate Goal.  You will also begin to develop intuition that will guide you with your intention setting.

Blessed Murti Practice and Offering
It is important set the intention to attune and connect with the Energy of the Blessed Murti, whether in whole or to one aspect or quality of that murti.  With practice, the different qualities of Energies may be felt more deeply and distinctly.  As you review the symbols and meanings below, you can practice attuning to the different aspects of the Blessed Murtis, feeling into the Energies that may arise or contemplating on how you would like to bring a quality into your life and path.  It is recommended to spend at least 15 minutes on a particular practice so that the mind has time to settle and the heart has time to open more fully.  You may offer arati to a Blessed Murti along with flowers, rice and water.  Flowers are a symbol of devotion.  Rice can represent seeds of a quality you would like to plant within the heart and mind, such as love or patience or humility or sincerity.  Or rice may be offered as a symbol of something that you would like to surrender over to the Blessed Murti, such as anger or grief or guilt or fear.  Water may be a symbol of nourishing the seeds you have planted or it may represent cleansing body mind and soul from obstacles in the way to the seeds ability to grow.

Vintage Seated Medicine Buddha (available here)

• BhaisajyaGuru, the Medicine Buddha, is considered the master healer as He sees beyond physical, emotional and psychical suffering, resting in and as Ultimate Reality.  Buddha means the "Awakened One".  Here He sits in padmasana, lotus position, symbolizing perfection in meditation.  His eyes are open gazing outwards, indicating He brings meditation into life.  
• The ushnisha (top knot) signifies Enlightenment. 
• The urna on His forehead represents the third eye, a symbol of higher consciousness.  It is also one of the "marks" of a Buddha.
• Right hand mudra signifies charity, offering, giving- one who asks for nothing, yet offers everything.  Next to the hand is a sprig of Myrobalan leaves with Haritaki fruit, which is one of the three healing elements in the classical Ayurvedic remedy, Triphala (three fruits).
• Left hand holds a pot of Amrita, immortal healing nectar.

Ganesha Arati Lamp (available here)

• Lord Ganesha (Ganapati) is known as the One who removes obstacles and brings prosperity and abundance. Ganesha may also place obstacles to keep us from going down a path that takes us away from our goal.  He is the child of Shiva, the masculine principle of Satya (Truth), and Parvati, the feminine principle of endurance and fullness. Thus Ganesha is worshiped first before any other ritual takes place to help us align with the Universal Cosmic Principle of Oneness, as He represents the union of Shiva and Shakti.
• Top left hand holds a pasha, noose, is used to pull you closer to the goal.
•  Top right hand holds a parasu, axe, is used to cut attachments.
• Bottom left hand in Abhaya mudra signifies blessings and protection.
• Bottom left hand holds a ladoo or modak, sweet dessert ball, representing the sweetness of life and reward for following the spiritual path.
• Mukut, crown on head, indicates the Lord of Wisdom and one who is to be respected.
• Nagas behind and over the head represent Kundalini Shakti that is fully awakened, offering protection.
• Trunk symbolizes adaptability and discrimination between good and bad.
• Vahana (vehicle) is a mouse (on either side of the arati bowl).  If a mouse is allowed to roam freely, chaos can ensue.  If your desires are allowed to be unchecked, you risk bringing chaos into your life.  So follow the example of Ganesha who rides the mouse and become master of desires.
• Mantra:  Om Sri Ganeshaya Namaha; Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha

Shiva Seated in Meditation (available here)

• Lord Shiva, known as the Auspicious One, is represented here in form as MahaYogi, the Lord of Yoga; with yoga meaning union with the Supreme. Meditating in padmasana lotus pose with hands in dhyana mudra (meditation) with eyes gazing downward, Shiva evokes Ultimate Peace and Ultimate Consciousness, taking us beyond form to the True Reality.
• Ardha-Chandrama, crescent moon, on Shiva's head indicates Shiva is beyond all Time, He is Eternal.
• The third eye on the forehead symbolizes Divine Vision- seeing beyond Maya, illusion; and also it is a sign of overcoming desires that are burned with the intensity of the Flame of Knowledge that Shiva represents. 
• Trishul, trident, when held by Shiva represents transcending the 3 gunas, sattva, tamas and rajas; liberation from these elements of creation.
• Damaru (hand drum hanging on the trishul) represents the cosmic vibratory sound, Pranava or Om, which becomes empowered by MahaShakti, the Ultimate feminine creative force, to bring forth the Universe.  Shiva/Shakti is One presented as two.
• Blazing sun behind the head symbolizes the Light of Highest Consciousness- greater than the light of a thousand suns; and also removes the darkness of duality.
• Cobra wrapped around the neck symbolizes full control of Kundalini, which here is Jagrat or Awake.
• Sitting on a tiger skin symbolizes mastery over the lower nature, desires and senses, which are transformed for the purposes of the Highest Evolution.
• Mantra:  Om Namah Shivaya​