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KALASH
A
kalash is a common sight in the Indian household, at the
altar. Any auspicious function has the kalash in place
too.
What
is a kalash?
An
earthen or brass pot is a pot with an opening at one end
and is blocked to hold things, usually water. A pot is
empty, but has the potential to contain many a thing!
The pot thus represents the inert body, which when
filled with the water of wisdom becomes a fully
functioning body, capable of fulfilling life’s needs!
A
Kalash is a pot which contains water, on which a few
sprigs of mango leaves are placed at the mouth and
finally a full coconut also placed, with its head into
the mouth and the conical part of the coconut springing
out. Sometimes, this coconut is placed on a cloth
containing rice. A pot is tied with a thread across its
length and breath to form
small diamond shaped pattern.
The
Poornakumbha
The
kumbha (pot) when filled with rice representing
fertility and prosperity is called the poorna kumbha,
signifies completeness. It also could mean that water
and food that are needed to nourish our body.
It
is decorated with a symbol of swastika and filled with
water too. The ‘swastika’ a Sanskrit word literally
translates as swasti meaning the well-being of all and
‘ka’ meaning symbol. The swastika symbol that looks
alike from all directions, also represents the Sun-the
life giver. When portrayed on a pot of water, the kalash
automatically symbolizes power, the water being the
water of wisdom.
Water
means prosperity, wisdom and divine consciousness, as it
is the waters of the seas that brings down the rain,
plants need water, and it is in the seas that in days of
yore, people conducted trades. A ship laden with goods,
even today is considered a fortunate symbol. Thus, the
kalash with water in it and the swastika symbol
decorated outside symbolizes the importance of both sun
and rains for a good yield of crops! The coconut placed
at the mouth of the kalash represents the vegetation
that grows with the help of sunlight and water. Although
some kalash contain a lotus flower, most have a coconut.
Numerous
coconut trees dot the sea-shore and coastal areas are
incomplete without these trees. Coconut also known as
the Kalpa Vruksha is a tree whose every part is used by
humans. Tender coconut water is as sweet as nectar to
the parched throat and the shells in ancient days were
used to produce fire. The leaves are still used to cover
roofs in huts. The fine stalk in between the many leaves
is collected and toed around to form a broom! Need there
be any mention of the famed coconut oil? Little wonder
then why coconut is placed at the mouth of the kalash!
Mango
leaves
Many
times, instead of mango leaves, the leaves of peepal
tree (bodhi-ficus religiosa), jackfruit leaves are also
placed. While the Bodhi or peepal tree is associated
with Buddha’s enlightenment, the mango is a very sweet
and rare fruit and jackfruit also a prosperous tree.
The
thread across the pot
The
length and breath of the poorna kumbha is tied with a
thread, to form a diamond shaped pattern. This thread is
the common thread of love that binds all beings across
the world. A smile is a universal symbol of love,
compassion, acceptance and happiness. A smile and love,
is the thread binding the universe.
The
wisdom of the four Vedas, the waters from holy rivers
and the blessings of all deities are invoked when
anything auspicious is undertaken. Thus, the couple
united in wedlock, the young Brahmachari boy, whose
spiritual journey begins with the tying of the sacred
thread on his torso, the woman who is blessed for the
smooth delivery of her progeny and the family that
enters into a brand new house, all place the Kalash,
seeking the wisdom of the waters, the fertility and
prosperity of the leaves and rice, the omnipotence of
the coconut, well-being of the swastika and the love
that binds all.
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