THE AXIS

Are we all familiar with the term ‘Swastika’? Or the symbol depicting the same?

As per Oxford Dictionary, “well being” and later with the learner’s version, “an ancient symbol in the form of a cross with its ends bent at an angle of 90°, used in the 20th century as the symbol of the German Nazi party”. As per Wikipedia, “The Swastika or Sauwastika – as a character:

clockwise or counter clockwise, respectively (as depicted in the diagram above)- is a geometrical figure and an ancient religious icon in the culture of Eurasia. It is used as a symbol of divinity and spirituality in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.”

The adaptation of the Swastika by the Nazis and neo-Nazis is the most recognizable modern use of the symbol in the West. Why did Nazis, under Hitler, adopt this symbol? Heinrich Himmler⁵(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinrich_Himmler), one of the most powerful man in Nazi Germany and the Minister of Interior, believed that the Aryan Race originated from Mount Kailash⁶ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Kailash), the hidden home of the Aryan Master Race. Intriguing, to say the least! Most of us, may be familiar with most things said above, except Mount Kailash and the Aryan Race connection. But first, we need to establish the connection between Mount Kailash and Swastika.

Swastika is a geometric pattern in the sky representing the north ecliptic pole. The Vedas⁷ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedas)postulate that the Swastika represents the Universe in our own spiral galaxy.

In ancient Indian astronomy, the constellation of the Big Dipper (Ursa Major) is called ‘Saptarshi⁸ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saptarishi), with its seven stars representing seven sages :-

Saptarshi Asterism:

Indian Name	Western Name
Kratu	Dubhe
Pulaha	Merak
Pulastya	Phecda
Atri	Megrez
Angiras	Alioth
Vasistha	Mizar
Marichi	Alkaid

The North Star or the Pole Star and the tip of the handle of the Little Dipper, can be located by extending an imaginary line through the front two stars of the asterism, i.e. Merak and Dubhe, and then extending it for five times the distance between the two pointers.

The North Pole Star or Dhruv Nakshatra is the center of the Kalachakra⁹ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalachakra), along with the Saptarshi Mandal, the seven stars revolving around a fixed center in clockwise direction, because of a geometric understanding of an astronomical phenomenon called axial precision.

The constellation of Ursa Major (Latin: Greater Bear) has been seen as a bear, a wagon or a ladle. The “bear” tradition is Indo-European (appearing in Vedic India as well as in Greek astronomy), but apparently the name “bear” has parallel in Siberian or North American tradition as well.

Swastika (Sanskrit)¹⁰ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrit) is a composite word, consisting of su+asti+ka. The word “su” means “good/well” and “asti”=being; the suffix “ka” intensifies the literally verbal meaning, “that which is associated with well being”, corresponding to “thing that is auspicious”.

The formation of the Swastika. The four arms of Swastika represents four aspects of nature: the sun, wind, water and soil. It’s four arms are four seasons, where the division of the 90-degree sections corresponds to the solstices and equinoxes.

The position of the seven stars changes with the season. Whereas, the diagram above shows the position during Spring and Winter, the diagram below, also shows the position of the stars during the Autumn season.

The last position shown below, is that of Summer. This completes the four positions during the four seasons and are the four arms of the Swastika.

Once the four arms are connected with straight lines, the Swastika emerges. This is shown in the diagram below. This symbol takes the form of an equilateral cross, with four arms, which are bent at 90 degrees. (Please refer the first diagram (1.).

This symbol of Swastika carries most significance in establishing the creation of the universe in our own spiral galaxy in the fore finger of the creator. The arms representing “kal” or time. A calendar seen to be more advanced than the Lunar Calendar. It is worthwhile to note here, that the most commonly used calendar is the Gregorian calendar, which is a solar calendar system emerging from the Lunar calendar system.

Kalachakra

Sanskrit ‘Kala’ = time + Sanskrit ‘Chakra’ = wheel. Tradition believes that the Kalachakra was taught by Gautam Buddha¹¹(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha) himself, in 5th century BC. Kalachakra is dedicated to both individual and world peace and physical balance.

Man has always been keen to know things given by nature. Therefore, at some early times a curious question must have arisen in one’s mind that how day and night are made? How is time calculated? How do seasons change? What are these calculations? What is the time cycle? We shall endeavor to understand these according to Sanatan¹²(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanatan) tradition.

Why Sanatan tradition and not what we already know, as told and taught to us? This would be a valid query in the minds of all those who are not familiar with the term ‘Sanatan’. One needs to travel back in time and reorient one’s perspective.

As per available findings, the earth is 1.97 billion years old. Our human ancestors have lived on planet Earth for approximately 7 million years. And modern humans (in our present form) have survived now for about 200,000 years.

Galileo Galilei, known to us as the father of science, was born in 1564, which is 456 years back. During his life time, he was castigated for his discoveries and findings and even kept under house arrest. Before him, Nicolaus Copernicus’s (1473 – 1543) findings (Sun rather than Earth is the center of the universe) were labelled “absurd” and “backward”! Such truths were never allowed to surface although there is evidence that similar findings were presented as far back as 310BC in the West.

Only 400 years ago, Giordano Bruno was burnt to death for saying that the universe is infinite and that other solar system exist.

The modern calendar is the Gregorian calendar, introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, which replaced the Julian calendar introduced by Julius Caesar in 46BC. One can safely say that the change came about as a result of the findings of Copernicus and Galileo.

Let us now juxtapose the above information with the happenings on the other side, i.e. East. The term ‘mystical’ is synonymous with the East or the Orient. The truth, as we are gradually discovering, are facts based on the planetary systems which predates mankind. All calculations are based on these planets and their movements.

In the absence of appropriate records, chronicles and the alien nature of the scripts, most findings could not be logically explained. Hence, the ocean of knowledge from the East remained mystical. Even the astronomers and mathematicians from the West found it hard to try and explain their findings in their own language.

Sanatan Dharma(religion), meaning “eternal religion” or “eternal order” is another name for Hinduism and as per Wikipedia, is the oldest religion in the world. Some practitioners and scholars refer to it as “the eternal tradition” or “eternal way”, beyond human history.

Dharma could be translated as “duty” or “religious duty”. The Sanskrit root is “dhri” which means “to sustain” or that which is integral. Sanatan Dharma, therefore is to perform duties according to one’s spiritual identity. Duties that sustain him/her according to the person’s innate characteristics, which are both spiritual and material. Sanatan Dharma is prehistoric and absolute in nature. On the other hand, the term Hindu or Hindu Dharma is a term given by Persians only a few centuries ago, to mean people living beside the river Sindhu.

Earlier, in one previous paragraph, I did state that the world is 1.97 billion years old, contradicting that statement here to say that Sanatan Dharma is 155 trillion years old!!!

Sanatan is a term used in Hinduism to describe denominations that adhere to ancient science, which were sustainable, holistic and co-existing way of life. Sanatani literally means immemorial. Sanskrit language scriptures that have been discovered, dates back more than 10,000 years. The ancient writings have explained that humans, unconsciously, are looking for something more, something limitless and wants to expand in a limitless way. Yet a miniscule number finds the way to eternity, which we know exists. Mysteries in the sky???

There is enough in the available scriptures, to prove beyond any reasonable doubt, that the planetary positions of our solar system, their effects and implications in our daily lives were known way before the modern calendars came into existence.

The topic is mindbogglingly vast, hence let us for the time being restrict ourselves to the Swastika and its constellation. If one studies diagram 6 above, where the earth axis is depicted, one would observe the tilt at 23 and 1/2 degrees. This tilt ensures that we have night and day and the season changes as the earth rotates on its axis around the sun. We are all aware now as to what would happen if the tilt was not there and the axis was straight!

Before we resume our journey, let us keep in mind that the Julian calendar initially started with the Roman civic calendar and the starting month was March, as was with the English new year, which started on 25th March on Lady Day. For more than two thousand years before this time, the Hindu Calendar had the starting month in the end of March and beginning of April, depending on the Moon. This, unlike the other calendars has never changed. The Roman, Julian, Gregorian calendars until reaching its final form, had changed the number of months, days, etc. That by itself is a revealing and interesting study. Therefore, with the help of the Saptarshi constellation and the Swastika, the ancient sages in the East had exactly calculated the number of days it takes for the earth to rotate around the sun and the number of hours it takes to rotate on its own axis tens of thousands of years earlier.

Similarly, the Kumbh Mela¹³ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumbh) coincides with the rotation of Jupiter, which takes place once in 12 years. And the Ardha(half) Kumbh in 6 years. This takes place in four river-bank pilgrimage sites of Allahabad, Haridwar, Nashik and Ujjain. The time taken for Jupiter for one rotation around the Sun was recorded about 170 years ago, whereas the Kumbh Mela goes back thousands of years in time.

The Swastika as formed by the changing formations of the Saptarshi constellation can be seen on the South face of Mount Kailash. The South face appears to have a natural Swastika running from top to bottom and from side to side. One may choose to regard the religious significance of this peak, one cannot argue about its ethereal beauty and geographical significance.

Mount Kailash has four faces perpendicular to each other, and each face aligns perfectly with the four cardinal directions. Four great rivers originate from this mountain and flow into the Indian subcontinent.

Mount Kailash is viewed by many as the center of the world. Some claim it as a pyramid built by supernatural beings. It is believed to be on the AXIS of the earth and it maintains the atmosphere to keep living things alive. It’s location is in synchronization with all other ancient monuments in the universe and earth poles. And is located at an exact distance of 6,666Kms.

Dear readers, what is the purpose of the aforesaid narrative and the brief outlining of facts, pretty much unknown to majority of educated human beings?

The answer, which is my own, is to look for balance in our lives and the first thing to consider is the inevitability of happenings in our lives:-

• We have to accept nature, e.g. night and day. One cannot wish to have night during day and vice versa. Day and night routine, activities and planning have to be different and can’t be identical.
• Seasons: One cannot have winter during summer or autumn during spring. Humans have to prepare for seasons and seasonal changes.
• Whether one is President, Prime Minister, King, Queen, Emperor, CEO, rich, famous, poor and so on; one cannot have even one second more than 24 hours.
• All have to be aware of constants and repetitions. We are aware of certain repetitions, like sunrise, sunset, high tide, low tide, etc., which take place like clock work. There are certain events which repeats itself once in a month, year, dozen years, 50 years, 100 years, 1,000 years or may be 10,000 years and we may not be aware of it. When such event takes place, who ever or whatever is in its path will have to face whatever was being repeated. If it is good, one will reap its benefit, on the other hand perish or fight and survive.

From the above short summary of this post, my intention is to reiterate that humans, just like toddlers, are innocent souls, carrying out their activities, good or bad, without understanding the implications or realizing the repercussions of their actions. Just as a toddler, for example, would not know that a sharp object would harm anyone or anything. In such a situation, the first requirement is awareness, which is what is my endeavor with my posts. And the second is preparation, which would come after we have absorbed the truths about our existence.

LET US MEET IN OUR NEXT BLOG POST: THE ELEMENTS; UNTIL THEN PEACE