The other day there was an interesting programme on Discovery channel about a sign that is considered the most dreaded in one part of the world, the Swastik. While Swastik has become synonym of Nazi cruelty in Europe, it is quite a revered one for the Hindus of this world. Notwithstanding the fear of being labeled as a neo-Nazis among Europeans, I would like to share my views here about the Swastik.

    One of my Dutch colleague was freaked out after seeing Swastika sign in my hostel room, little he knew that for time immemorial, Swastik has been the sign of peace and harmony and ranks second only to OM in Hinduism. Use of, Swastika is supposed to bring good health, wealth, prosperity and peace in the home and life of people and that’s why it is an integral part of most Hindu homes. They paint it on the entrance and in the Pooja Ghar – the place of worship. That could have been a reason why the Election Commission of India chose it for its voting seal; it seals the future of Indian populace for another five years, thinking it would bring well being to common man, but how much; It can perhaps be a matter of debate but this sign has brought enormous well being to our politicians, no doubt.

Literal meaning of Swastik, even today, is a ripe matter of discussion among scholars. To some Swastika means “a good habitation” (‘Vaasa’ means to inhabit and ‘Vaastu’ is habitation while ‘Su’‘Swastu’).  To others Swastik means, “Let good prevail” (Sanskrit word “Swasti” for well-being, “Swastha” meaning healthy in Sanskrit is also derived from the same root). The Nazi Swastika is just the reverse of the Indian one, diametrically opposite (left facing) to the Indian version that has a clockwise orientation (right facing). But according to some scholars right facing sign denotes male while left facing is for female like yin and yang of Chinese philosophy, nevertheless it is not a sign of evil or cruelty as it is in post-Nazi world. means good in Sanskrit. The word Swastik seems to be a fusion of ‘Su’ and ‘Vastu’ pronounced as

Before the Nazis adopted this sign and turned it into the most potent symbol of racial abhorrence, it was considered a symbol of well being in some parts of India and China. Some studies suggest that the swastika migrated from India across Persia and Asia Minor to Greece, then to Italy and on to Germany, probably in the first millennium B.C. But why Hitler adopted this sign? It might be a topic of discussion, may be for “well being”. Some people might argue, but the best explanation for symbol of the Nazi movement can found in Mein Kampf, which says " im Rot sehen wir die Sozialidee der Bewegung, im Weiß die nationalistische Idee, im swastika die Mission des Kampfes für den Sieg des Mannes Aryan und aus dem gleichen Grunde den Sieg der Idee der kreativen Arbeit, die, da so immer gewesen ist und immer ist anti-Semitic."  In Nazi theory, the Aryans were considered eternally anti-Semitic and Hitler thought that the swastik, which had been used by Aryans, would be the perfect symbol for ''the victory of the Aryan man.'' There could be number of arguments as why Hitler used this sign, I would not go in detail; but it certainly does not stand for evil.

For Hindus, Swastik is also a symbol of the Sun God. The early Indians looked upon the sun as the source of energy, life and wealth. Now days, responsibility for life and energy rest on the politicians and for wealth they look at share market painting Swastika on the walls of their home every Diwali. The Swastik had a long history before Hitler and the Nazis. It has been for centuries a symbol of peace, harmony and good luck. It is one of the oldest symbols of human civilizations. Its association with Nazis is just a minor fleck in its very long existence and such a holy sign can not be crucified for the mistakes of a “Bad man.” Leaving you to ponder about the sign, I’d better sign off now.