SWASTIKA

Today, April 20th is the birthday of Adolf Hitler. His warped theory of Aryan supremacy is largely responsible for the situation leading to second world war and subsequently world politics from then on. He was a gifted soul, who utilised his powers in world domination. The well oiled Nazi propaganda machines are all so (in)famous; be it his mesmerising speeches, Hitler Youth, SchutzStaffel (SS), Gestapo, SD... all had its potent symbol of power in Swastika. As Hindus and as Indians one needs no introduction to Swastika (卐) , the very symbol which the Fuehrer used for his Nazi propaganda. Since Hitler and Nazism, Swastika has been construed as a hate symbol, and is now taboo in the Americas and Europe. Even yesterday, some "white-supremacists" vandalised a muslim tomb in France by spray painting Swastika on them. White folks apart, millions and millions of people of Indian origin widely use the symbol in their various rituals. Western world (read: white people), this blog is especially for you.

Swastika, is NOT a symbol of white-supremacy and hate.

It has its roots in Sanskrit, and earliest symbols were found in relics more than 7000 years old(history), and it is a very common symbol in Hinduism(mythology). Swastika is from "Su", meaning "good being" and "asti" meaning "to be" and hence Swastika means "well being", "lucky charm", etc.


Swastika could be found (historically) in almost all parts of the world. It is extensively seen in India even today, where it is common practice to draw the Swastika to represent anything auspicious. The variants in drawing the swastika means the evolution of the universe (pravriti) or the involution(nirvriti), and it represents Brahma, the creator. It is extremely holy in Hinduism, and it is used in temples' sculpture, religious and other scripture, rituals, and a host of other things associated with Hinduism. Swastika has also extensive uses in Jainism and Buddhism, and is also found in various other sects and cultures across the world. Before Hitler corrupted the sanctity of Swastika in the eyes of the western world, Swastika was a potent symbol even in white Europe.

Just to show how blind and ignorant people are, banning Swastika from the west is paramount to saying the holy cross of Christ too, should be banned- as members of the dreaded Ku Klux Klan (KKK) exterminated millions of "coloured" people tying them to the holy cross and burning them. The treatment and attitude toward Swastika must be different to that of the Holy Cross as the perpetrators were of their own religion while Swastika did not have any relation with Hitler on religious ground and it has represented goodness and universal humanity all over the world. Even if the world holds these symbols of Christianity on the ground of their use, still Swastika can not be held responsible in the same way as them. One horrific event in history should not wipe out thousands of years of harmony, humbleness and its good faith.

Though Nazism is still recent and remains fresh in our memory, it is time that people are educated to see beyond Hitler and his legacy. Lets hope that the true meaning of this universal symbol of well being and goodness would be restored in the western world.