Dear Sangat,
On the present pages, there are 13 symbols at the top. Could some one take time to explain what thinking school they stand for, and their significance!
I get on to the following:
Khanda:
Ref http://www.sikh.net/sikhism/khanda.htm
On the present pages, there are 13 symbols at the top. Could some one take time to explain what thinking school they stand for, and their significance!
I get on to the following:
Khanda:
Ref http://www.sikh.net/sikhism/khanda.htm
The Khanda constitutes three symbols in one. However, the name is derived from the central symbol, Khanda, a special type of double-edged sword which confirms the Sikhs' belief in One God.
- The double-edged sword is the creative power of God which controls the destiny of the whole creation. It is sovereign power over life and death.
- The right edge of the double-edged sword symbolizes freedom and authority governed by moral and spiritual values.
- The left edge of the double-edged sword symbolizes divine justice which chastises and punishes the wicked oppressors.
- On the left side is the sword of spiritual sovereignty, Piri; on the right side is the sword of political sovereignty, Miri.
There must always be a balance between the two and this balance is emphasized by a inside circle. The circle is what is called the Chakra. This is a symbol of all-embracing divine manifestation including everything and wanting nothing, without beginning or end, neither first or last, timeless, and absolute. It is the symbol of oneness, unity, justice, humanity and morality. The Chakra was also used by the Sikhs as one of the war weapons against injustice and oppression. Almost all Sikh warriors used to wear it in the eighteenth century.
Aum / Om:
Ref: http://www.geocities.com/profvk/mantra2.html
The names of God have been given great sanctity by the vedas themselves. That is where we find the basic mantras such as Om namah sivaaya, Om namo naaraayanaaya, where the names themselves contribute to the significance of the mantras. Omby itself is the mystic word which is most important for the religious and spiritual pursuit of a Hindu. Without an explanation and understanding of this word no study of Spirituality in Hindu religion may be complete. The word consists of a triad of three sounds (maatras), namely 'a' (as the 'u' in 'but'), 'u' (as the 'u' in 'put') and 'm'.This is why many texts referring to this word use the spelling 'aum' thus emphasizing the three 'maatras' which make up 'om'. The term maatra is used for the upper limb of the deva-naagari characters and a syllabic instant in prosody. The esoteric significance of these three maatras and the myriads of connotations that they stand for are the subject matter of many passages in the Upanishads, the Gita and other scriptures.
Crescent and Star:
Ref: http://bismikaallahuma.org/Polemics/lunar.htm
Actually, while reading above, it came to my mind, whether this symbol stands for Bhagautee in Ardaas!
Aum / Om:
Ref: http://www.geocities.com/profvk/mantra2.html
The names of God have been given great sanctity by the vedas themselves. That is where we find the basic mantras such as Om namah sivaaya, Om namo naaraayanaaya, where the names themselves contribute to the significance of the mantras. Omby itself is the mystic word which is most important for the religious and spiritual pursuit of a Hindu. Without an explanation and understanding of this word no study of Spirituality in Hindu religion may be complete. The word consists of a triad of three sounds (maatras), namely 'a' (as the 'u' in 'but'), 'u' (as the 'u' in 'put') and 'm'.This is why many texts referring to this word use the spelling 'aum' thus emphasizing the three 'maatras' which make up 'om'. The term maatra is used for the upper limb of the deva-naagari characters and a syllabic instant in prosody. The esoteric significance of these three maatras and the myriads of connotations that they stand for are the subject matter of many passages in the Upanishads, the Gita and other scriptures.
Crescent and Star:
Ref: http://bismikaallahuma.org/Polemics/lunar.htm
Islam verses talk about this as follows:
"Among His Signs are the Night and the Day and the Sun and Moon. Prostrate (adore) not to the Sun and the Moon but prostrate to God, Who created them, if it is Him ye wish to serve." (Qur'ân, 41: 37)
Function of moon in Islam is that it determines the Islamic lunar calendar. The Qur'ân confirms this when it speaks of the moon being subject to God's Law. This is confirmed when we read the following verse
"Seest thou not that God merges Night into Day and He merges Day into Night; that he has subjected the sun and the moon (to His Law), each running its course for a term appointed: and that God is well acquainted with all that ye do?" (Qur'ân, 31:29)
By the way, Did anyone notice when 'Allah-hu-Akbar' is written stylishly in modern writing, it resembles Khanda symbol? Look at Iran flag 'Coat of Arms' for details at http://flagspot.net/flags/ir.html
And it is known that Guru Gobind Singh was a persian poet too. Do you see this just as a coincidence?Best Regards.