The following article on symbolism was circulated by email. This beautiful piece was written by Mr. Naveen D. Arcot (Naveen_Arcot@satyam.com) and reprinted here with the permission of the author. Enjoy!

Subject: A Simple Ritual, with a profound meaning

Every tradition in the world employs symbolism but symbolism is employed to its acme in Hinduism. If one has to appreciate the real essence of Hinduism, one must learn to appreciate this Science of symbolism. In the absence of such an understanding the whole periphery of Hinduism will appear funny, unintelligent and absurd. In the process of knowing this science of symbolism one discovers the deeper meaning of the real Hindu tradition which apparently appears to be superficial.

For example, let us take the ritual of going to a temple. This is one of the simple rituals which a Hindu generally is supposed to perform. This ritual is very symbolic in nature. If one enters an orthodox Hindu Temple, the inside of the temple is absolutely dark. There is an idol in the temple but you cannot see it because it is enveloped by darkness. You go [to] the priest and hand over the camphor and coconut you have brought. The priest burns the camphor. The moment the camphor is burnt, the light dispels the darkness enveloped the area. Once the darkness is dispelled, the idol is visible in front. Earlier even though the idol was in front of you, you could not see it due to darkness.

The priest then breaks the coconut given by you - the devotee. Once it is broken, the sweet water that emerges is taken as 'Tirtha'.

The beauty of this ritual can be comprehended only when you understand the symbolism behind this which is as follows :- Going to the temple is like entering into this world. Just as there is darkness in the temple when you enter, so also when we are born, we are born with darkness, which is in the form of ignorance. Just as in the presence of darkness you cannot see the idol, which is right in front of you, so also you are not in a position to see what is right in front of you due to ignorance.

You cannot see what 'IS' because your discretion is enveloped by your ignorance. In such a state you go to the priest and hand over the camphor and coconut. The priest symbolizes the master 'Guru'. The camphor stands for all your Samskaras & Vasanas i.e. the whole bundle of your past - your nations, dogmas, conclusions, beliefs etc. when camphor is given to the priest, it means you are surrendering all this past of yours to the master. The teacher or master in sanskrit is called 'Guru'. There are two letters in the word 'GURU' viz. 'GU' stands for ignorance and 'RU' stands for that which eliminates this ignorance.

The priest burns this camphor in the fire. The fire here stands for fire of knowledge - Jnanagnih. Agni always stands for knowledge. In the fire of knowledge, fire of wisdom, fire of enquiry, the priest burns all your past (notions, beliefs, conclusions etc.). The moment the camphor is burnt, the light emerging out of the fire dispels the darkness Just as darkness is dispelled in the presence of light. ignorance is dispelled in the fire of wisdom. The act of burning of camphor stands for Guru Upadesha. i.e.. the murti becomes visible before you.

The idol (Murti) was right in front of you earlier also but you were nat [not] able to see it because of the darkness. The moment this darkness gets dispelled you can see it. So also your true self is always present, but you are not aware of it because of your true self is always present, but you are not aware of it because of your ignorance. The moment this ignorance is destroyed by the fire of wisdom the true self which eternally exists surfaces out.

The priest breaks the coconut and once the coconut is broken the sweet water comes out which is taken as Tirtha. Coconut represents Ahamkara (EGO) and with the support of the master this coconut (ego) is broken in front of the idol i.e. at the altar of truth, the sweet water of happiness, the sweet water becomes the Tirtha.

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