swastika is a very ancient oriental symbol of welfare. Swastika is a Sanskrit word which means aimed at doing good for all. The Swastka symbol seems to . have occupied a very significant place in the religious and cultural tradition of Nepal. This symbol is also quite common in wood carvings, in traditional paintings and in several other artistic works. One can see this auspicious emblem pointed with great fancy generally on the old styled shop windows, on the shutters of the private door-sways, on the top-covers of the old styled business account books and so on. Tibetans are also very fond of this fascinating symbol. Traditional Tibetan carpets with the swastika patterns and drapperies with the swastika print in the centre is a big pnde of Tibetan people. Tourists sometimes. mistake this oriental symbol for the cultural invention of Hider which is not true. However, it is interesting to note that this symbolismaonre Popular in the traders' community of Nepal than m y other communitV.
The Swastika symbol though consider d e seems more warmly embraced by Buddhists those by eeveusekofthe those belonging to the Vajrayana cult T Swastika figure is a big must for almost religious ceremonies, the Vajrayana priests perforY Before rm. Iefoic:e undergoing the serious stage of Puja service, the first thing the priest does is to draw several interesting figures on the floor purified for the purpose. The materials he uses for the drawing are yellow coloured powder and red vermilion which are believed to symbolize knowledge and wealth. Amongst several figures to be drawn by the priest for ceremonial purposes. the most fascinating one is the Swastika. The four stretching hands of the Swastika figure are said to represent the following four divine merits existent in all human beings. They are respectively Maitree (Friendship),Karuna (compassion),Mudita (Happiness),and Upekshya (Indifference). This fourfold merit theory •syrnbofically known as Swastika is vaey dominant in our religious culture. According to Sadhanantala. believed to be one of the most authentic Budhist text written some time around 3rd century A.D., four human merits already mentioned above are in fact the four basic elements that go into the formation of the Swastika symbol Those elements are also religiously termed as four Bramhas, four ideal ways leading to Supreme Soul every aspirant should rneditate on.
Now let me try to explain a bit more about the four merit words mentioned above. First of all, let us take the word 'Friendship'. One might ask here what is so special about this much worn-out word ? Friendship in its wider sense is pure love which exists in all beings. 'This is the first gate-way to the heaven of human heart. It is only love that can inspire people to do good for all and make themselves feel happy. Now the question is about Compassion This is of more dynarmic nature than one might think it otherwise.It is a kind of divine desire to save others from misery and from causes that lead to misery, no matter whatever is the price one may have to pay to fulfill this purpose. This is what Lord Buddha exactly did. Sansara (the world), as Lord Buddha said. is a vast sea of suffe.ngs, and the people in it are the innocent souls who are drowning deeper every moment and yet, with nobody around to rescue them from their misery. So the only great ship that can sail them ashore is Compassion. Now we focus on Happiness. One might be curious to know what kind of happiness it is. It is a kind of highest aspiration on the part of the aspirants to seek by all means to put all the earthly creatures in the sphere of Buddhahood which is obviously beyond their limited power to attain. In other words. it is a kind of awe inspiring
attraction towards the gallaxy of all human virtues one can definitely attain if one only devotes Sadhana. The one who has developed his spiritual power to the utmost point can easily attain it and Tantrics and Sadhus call this kind of happinesPsYstotrpLee bliss. To put it in more commonly philosophical terms, it is the plain happiness one can derive from helping the helpless creatures who help themselves. Now the last merit word, Indifference comes up for our review. This is an opposite of discrimination. It does not know any claw. creed or colour It is a class in itself yet quite free from class conceptions his Idt ois a kind of holiest desire that comes of its own accord every possible best for all the beings on the earthwitdhout of least expectation of reward and faintest i ea discrimination.
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Ever since the Vajrayana cult introduced these four merits in the form of Swastika and also as four important deities in its pantheon, they have been widely known in the world. There are many beautiful statues of Maitree, Karuna, Mudita and Upekshya in Nepal. Amongst several such works. the four most beautifully built copper statues of those deities mentioned above still nicely preserved in Hiranyavarna Mabavihara also locally known as Kwabahal of Patan. said to be built by Vasker Verma in the 12th century. are quite noteworthy. They are placed at four different directions of monastery courtyard. Tremendous as they are, one should go there and see for oneself how wonderful they are.
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