The lotus is called "padma" in Sanskrit and is one of the most revered flowers in Hinduism. Believed to originate from the beginning of creation, the lotus flower represents beauty and non-attachment because it is rooted in the mud yet floats on water without becoming dirty. For Hindus, this symbolizes the manner in which people ought to live.
The Lotus Flower in Hindu Scriptures
The lotus flower dates back to more than 6,000 years in Hindu scriptures, culture and religion. It is used as a motif in temples, sculptures, architecture and paintings. Many references to the lotus can be found in the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas and countless other Sanskrit literature.
The Taittiriya Brahmana describes how Brahma saw a lotus leaf (pushkara parna) emerging from the ocean and a golden thousand-petal lotus flower grew from the water. Another more popular story describes a lotus growing from the navel of Vishnu, and Brahma at the center of the flower.
Lord Krishna uses the flower as a symbol in the Bhagavad Gita by saying: "One who performs his duty without attachment, surrendering the results unto the Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sinful action, as the lotus leaf is untouched by water." Here it is advised to be like the lotus and be unaffected by karma by working without attachment.
The Lotus and Hindu Deities
The lotus flower is associated with numerous Hindu deities; notably goddess Lakshmi, Krishna, Brahma, Sarasvati and Vishnu. Powerful deities are usually seen with the lotus symbol. Krishna is often described as the "lotus-eyed one," referring to his divine beauty.
Lakshmi is often described as the goddess of fortune, and is depicted as sitting or standing on a pink lotus. She also holds a lotus in Her right hand and the Mahabharata claims that Lakshmi emerged from a lotus growing from Lord Vishnu's forehead. The lotus used as a divine seat for a deity signifies their divinity and is called a "padmasana."
Meaning of Lotus Flower in Hinduism
The lotus represents beauty, purity, fertility and divinity in Hinduism and is also a popular symbol for creation. David Kinsley describes the lotus as having two distinctive meanings; the first is a symbol of fertility and second as representing purity and spiritual power. He also links the lotus with creation of the material world: "The lotus, and the goddess Sri-Laksmi by association, represents the fully developed blossoming of organic life. At the macrocosmic level the lotus might be taken as a symbol of the entire created world. The lotus growing from the naval of Visnu marks the beginning of a new cosmic creation."
In hatha yoga, the lotus position (padmasana) is used to reach a high level of consciousness, and depicted in yoga texts as a thousand-petaled lotus chakra at the top of the head.
The lotus is a widely used symbol in Hinduism and represents many ideals relating to spiritual power, creation, beauty and fertility. It is particularly associated with Krishna, Vishnu, Lakshmi, Brahma and other powerful deities.
Sources:
- Kingsley, David Hindu Goddesses University of California Press, 1988.
- HinduCouncilUK.org. Ask the Pandit: Flowers and Plants in Hinduism (Accessed October 30, 2010).
- HinduismToday.com. God's Favorite Flower (Accessed October 30, 2010).
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