Pillar One

Artwork by A. Manivelu

Top

  • NORTH FACE:
    Kuttuvilukku

    Standing oil lamps, kuttuvilakku. A standing metal oil lamp kept in the temple, shrine room or home. Part of temple and shrine altars, the standing lamp is sometimes worshiped as the divine light, Parashakti or Parajyoti. Returning from the temple and lighting one’s kuttuvilakku courts the accompanying devas to remain in the home and channels the vibration of the temple sanctum sanctorum into the home shrine. Called dipastambha in Sanskrit.

  • EAST FACE:
    Aum

    The mystic syllable of Hinduism, placed at the beginning of most sacred writings. Aum is the primary, or mula mantra, and often precedes other mantras. It may be safely used for chanting and japa by anyone of any religion. Its three letters represent the three worlds and the powers of creation, preservation and destruction.

  • SOUTH FACE:
    Trident

    Trident, called trisula in Sanskrit. A three-pronged spear or trident wielded by Lord Siva and certain Saivite ascetics. Also held by loving Ganesha, it symbolizes God’s three fundamental shaktis or powers—icchha (desire, will, love), kriya (action) and jnana (wisdom).

  • WEST FACE:
    Damaru

    Damaru is the thin-waisted rattle drum held by Siva Nataraja. It is the symbol of Divine Creation, which begins with the soundless sound, paranada, whence arises the mantra Aum.

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Middle

  • NORTH FACE:
    Yoga Pada

    Yoga pada. Here the hands are held in the meditative mudra, This signifies meditation, or yoga, the third of the successive stages in spiritual unfoldment in Saiva Siddhanta, wherein the ultimate goal is to go within and attain Self Realization.

  • EAST FACE:
    Charya Pada

    Chariya pada is the stage of religious action; worship. Here the devotee engages in simple forms of service and character building. It is the first of four progressive stages of maturation on the Saiva Siddhanta path of attainment.

  • SOUTH FACE:
    Kriya Pada

    This is the kriya pada, the “worship stage” on the San Marga. During this part of evolution the devotee is engaged in puja, religious actions, rites and ceremonies.

  • WEST FACE:
    Jnana Pada

    Jnana is the stage of wisdom, the fourth and final stage on the San Marga path to enlightenment. Here the satguru is sharing the knowledge of Siva with two disciples.

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Bottom

  • NORTH FACE:
    Namah Sivaya

    Namasivaya. This is the holy five-letter mantra chanted daily by devout Saivites, once initiated into the mantra. It literally means “Praise to the Great God Siva.”

  • EAST FACE:
    Siva Dhvajapalika

    Dhvajapalika. This is one of the two dvaja palikas who guard the entrance to a temple sanctum. His hand is indicating Siva is within, and is inviting pilgrims to draw closer to God.

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