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In today’s world, jewelry is seen as a form of enhancement of one’s beauty. However, apart from its aesthetic appeal, jewelry is also attributed to spirituality. Spiritual jewelry is a form of celebration of the body. It is also considered a means to transcend into the real nature of the universe. Many religions of the world are also of the belief that jewelry can be used as a form of protection. Spiritual jewelry has been known to aid in the process of finding the path to knowledge. The notion of associating an ornament with religious notions is not a new concept, it has been prevalent throughout history, dating back to the Indus Valley civilization. They used jewelry not only as a decorative object but as an expression of their spiritual beliefs as well. Over the years, Indian jewelry has assumed many forms with spiritual meanings associated with them.
Rudraksha
Translated from Sanskrit, ‘Rudraksha’ means, ‘Rudra’s teardrops.’ These beads are shaped from the seeds of the Elaeocarpus Ganitrus tree (Rudraksha tree) and strung into a necklace. They have been said to play a significant role in the spiritual journey of an individual. As legend has it, Lord Shiva or Rudra (the God of the everlasting cycle of creation and destruction), went into deep meditation for the sake of the well-being of all living beings. Upon waking from his meditative state, teardrops fell from the sky and transformed into the seeds of the Rudraksha tree on reaching the ground. Thus, in the most common portrayal of Lord Shiva, he is seen wearing the rosary of Rudraksha beads on his head and arms. Due to this, the spiritual and religious significance of these beads emerged. Today, it symbolizes the tryst for spiritual liberation and enlightenment.
Benefits of the Rudraksha:
It acts as a barrier against negative forces
It helps those that suffer from irritability, anger, anxiety and other mental health issues
As it is energized by cosmic rays, it helps in achieving good health
Om Pendant
The Om symbol is considered to be an important spiritual icon in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism and it is also used as a mantra. The syllables of ‘AUM’ represent the three-fold division of time:
A - the waking state
U - the dream state
M - state of the deep sleep
Ends with a pause or silence, that is representative of another state known as Turiya (Infinite Consciousness). Visually, the Om symbol comprises three curves, one semicircle and a dot. In this iconography, the large bottom curve depicts the waking state, the middle curve represents the dream state, the upper curve denotes the state of deep sleep and the dot represents the state of consciousness, Turiya.
The Om symbol is commonly worn as a pendant around the neck. It is believed that these amulets safeguard the heart of the wearer from outside attacks. Furthermore, the Om pendant also has a connection to Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha’s physical appearance is reminiscent of the depiction of the Om symbol, wherein, the upper curve of the Om is seen in the head or face of Lord Ganesha, the lower curve is identified with his abdomen and the twisted curve of the Om is his trunk. Lord Ganesha is widely accepted as a renowned deity in Hinduism and is seen as the remover of all hurdles, the personification of wisdom and the God of success. He is also known as the patron of arts and sciences and the divine power of intellect. A pendant with Ganesha is used as an instrument to invite good luck in all spheres of an individual’s life.
The Lotus pendant
The Lotus flower holds a lot of sacred value in India. It is often used to signify purity, spiritual enlightenment and faith. It is reminiscent of a life that is free of any worldly attachments. Thus, the pendant acts as a reminder of one’s spiritual journey towards spiritual enlightenment.
FAQs:
Q1. What are the effects of gold jewelry in one’s life according to Hindu culture?
Apart from the common belief that gold is significant for power and wealth, in Hindu culture, gold has the power to cleanse anything it touches. Therefore, it is attributed to good health and fortune. It is also believed that this metal sends soothing vibrations to skin surfaces, thereby aiding the process of the regeneration of cells.
Q2. Is the Om pendant used in only India?
Today, the Om pendant is used extensively around the world. It is popularly seen in Asian cultures, specifically, in Japanese, Chinese and Tibetan traditions. It is also seen in Egyptian cultures and has now made its way into the Western hemisphere as well.
Q3. What is the association between the lotus flower and the human body?
In popular Hindu beliefs, the open Lotus flower and the folded buds have a strong association with the characteristic nature of the human body. For instance, the unopened bud denotes a folded soul, which when opened, finds its way to divine truth.
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