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Om Swasti N~indro Vradhashravaha,  Swasti Naha Pusha Vishvavedaha | Swasti Nastakshryo~aristanemihi, Swasti No Brihaspatirdadhatu || 
 This sacred hymn of the Yajur-veda is a swastivachana - a prayer, an ardent aspiration, for the highest good and well-being of all beings, of everything, of the whole universe. Heart-felt chanting of this hymn is an integral part of initiating every religious sacrament or important familial ceremony in the vedic cultural rituals. It conveys the core meaning hidden in the vedic symbol of swastika. The term swastika emanates from the Sanskrit word swasti = su (good) asti (being). As a symbol, swastika is a line-design invented by the vedic sages. Its specific geometry is believed to have some relation with certain natural energy fields. It is drawn as a cross with equal arms when all the arms are continued as far again at right angles clockwise. The sublime effects, in terms of the cosmic energy currents superimposed in the unique pattern of swastika, correspond to what the swastika symbolizes -- auspiciousness, well-being.
The clockwise (dakshinavarta) direction is of significant importance, as it also happens to be the direction of movement (as we see it on the earth) of the sun, which rises in the east and sets in the west. The four sides of the swastika thus represent the four principal directions. The symbol of swastika is being used as a holy sign in India since the time of yore. Scriptural descriptions define it as a divine symbol that encompasses (in coded form) several important meanings and mysterious formulae or signs representing specific energy cycles in the universe. 
The "Halayudh Kosha" regards it as prominent among the twenty-four symbols of significance in the Indian Culture and states -- Chaturvinshanti Chinhantargata Chinha Vishesha. The same scripture also refers to it as chatushpatha - four paths emerging symmetrically in four directions from a common origin. The seed-syllable (sounding like "gam" in the Vedic script) of the Ganapati Mantra resembles the swastika. This seed syllable together with the four segments (chatushtaya) of the mantra seems to be encapsulated in the swastika symbol. In some scriptures, four divine powers governing the physical system of Nature are said to be subtly present around its four sides: Vradhdashrava Indra in the east, Brahaspati Indra in the south, Pusha-Vishwaveda Indra in the west and Arishtanemi Indra in the north. Scholars of vedic literature also interpret the swastika symbol as the coded design of the electromagnetic / magnetic energy fields around the solar systems nucleus. Valmikiya Ramayana cites the appearance of swastika symbol as that of the bluish line-design seen on the crest of the cobra - king of snakes.

This simile indicates a deeper meaning - conveying the importance of swastika in tantra as well. The matrikas - special sounds or packets of eternal sonic energy (Nada) indwelling the cosmos that were realized by the rishis in a state of trance - are of fundamental importance in the science of tantra and mantra. The signs (notations) representing the matrikas are said to be the origin of the syllables of the Vedic Sanskrit script and hence of all the (ancient) languages. Acharya Abhinav Gupt explains this in the "Tantraloka" as Prathakprathaktattriyam Sukshmamityabhishabdyate |  Sanjam Karomi Madhuram Vadayami Bruve Vacha� || 
 The matrikas and (hence) the vowels and consonants were generated from the manifestation of the omnipresent, eternal sound (Nadabrahm). The different forms of �voice� - namely the pashyanti (voice of the inner self) madhyama (mental voice or the voice that one hears while thinking) and baikhari (usual voice used in speech) - also originated from the same Nada; each of them was further divided into the perceivable and subtle forms. Thus the six-fold manifestation of the Nadabrahm came into existence. The six line-segments of the swastika symbolize this occult knowledge. In this context, swastika is further regarded as a sign depicting the secret facets of the origin of Nature. The vocal sound (baikhari vani), as we perceive it, consists of both -- the vowels and the consonants. Of this, the vowels are fundamental; they exist as natural expressions of sound, namely the swaras; the consonants can�t be perceived without the suffix of swaras. There are six basic swaras of musical notes. These are like the six major components of the spectrum of light that is referred in the scriptures as - "Yadevatatmakam suryarashmiktwam", and the ensemble of these six suryarashmi (sunrays) is called "swastika". Apart from the scriptural descriptions, the archeological findings, especially inscriptions in the ancient caves indicate the popularity of swastika design in ancient times. The paintings and stone carvings found at Singhanpur area in Raigardh, Baniya Beri in Pachmari and several caves in the Chambal and Sagar-Bhopal regions are among the authentic proofs available today in this regard in India. Many of the designs depict both the dakshi�avarta (clockwise) and the vamavarta (counterclockwise) swastikas. Both the types are found engraved on the coins of the Age of Indus-civilization as well. 
However, only the clockwise swastika, which we have referred so far, is found in the pictures or inscriptions showing signs of religious rituals; it is indeed this type - the (vedic) swastika that is used and worshipped in the Hindu religious sacraments. The counterclockwise swastika is supposed to be used in some tantrika practices; incidentally, the �swastika� symbol adopted by the Nazis is also of counterclockwise type. As per renowned scholars like Prof. Maxmuller, this anti-clockwise design of swastika was also favored in some orthodox Christian churches and was popular several hundred years ago in England, and then in some varied forms in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. For example, the related symbol in Sweden had the arms of the counterclockwise swastika design expanded and connected to each other along a circular contour; which appears like a cross embedded in a circle. It should be noted that in this article the main focus of our discussion is only the vedic symbol (the clockwise swastika). Another scholar Mrs. Murray remarks in the volume entitled "Symbolism of the East and West" that the vedic symbols encompass deep and important meanings. It is mostly these symbols, which were propagated in different parts of the globe; some changes and diversions occurred and got adopted with the flow of time. These variations are reflected in several symbols used in different religions of the world. 
Swastika is a vedic symbol which has acquired a rich global tradition and significance. According to Indian Philosophy, the four arms of swastika symbolize the four Vedas, four Varnas, four Ashrams, four Lokas and the four deities - Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh (Shiva) and Ganesha. Eminent vedic scholar Pt. Ramchandra Shastri further cites that the design of swastika resembles a four-petalled lotus (chaturdala kamal) which symbolizes the abode of Lord Ganapati and is therefore worshiped in religious ceremonies and also enshrined at the places of worship. Several savants also regard swastika as the symbol of the Kaustubh Mani present on the chest of the embodied-manifestations of God Vishnu. In Jainism, swastika is revered as the symbol associated with the seventh tirthankar Suparshvanath. The followers of Jain religion regard the four sides of the swastika as symbolizing the four possible places where one could be reborn or reside after death. These abodes are described as - the animal or plant kingdom, the earth, jivatma (soul in the subtle body that awaits rebirth) and the hell. Imprints of swastika are found inscribed in the Buddhist Monasteries as well. It can also be found in the houses of the Lamas and in some temples in Tibet. In the views of George Birdwood, the Buddhist symbol of the wheel (lifecycle), the cross of Greece, and the swastika, all symbolize the sun. He further refers swastika as among the most ancient symbols that contains sublime implications. Prof. Maxmuller is among the noted European scholars, who had studied Sanskrit language and the vedic literature and also written commentaries there on. 
Commenting on the global propagation of the swastika symbol, he once wrote in a letter to Dr. Schloman indicating that -- this vedic symbol could be found in Rome, Milan, Pompia perhaps in almost every part of Italy, in some ancient cities of England, at several places in Hungary, Greece, China, and in many other parts of the world. He has also supported the views of E. Thomas, where the latter has described swastika as a symbol of the continuous motion of the sun (and the solar system). Prof. D. A. Mackenjee throws light on several other implications of this vedic symbol. His studies indicate that apart from being an important sign or code in the ancient Indian astrological and astronomical formulae, the swastika was also used as a symbol describing multiple meanings, such as -- the birth-cycle, a flying bird, and all-round progress. It was a useful sign in commercial records in the ancient times and a symbol of fire, electricity, lightening, water, magnet, etc. Yet another western researcher opines that swastika, the symbol of auspiciousness and well-being, as designed by the Indian rishis (sages) of the Vedic Age, was well received and recognized by the different civilizations across the globe who adopted it in various forms of similar designs. 
He views that this symbol, likewise the other marks of the Vedic Culture, carries the spirit of enlightening thoughts and wisdom, the flow of which is eternal like that of the divine values of this culture. Many more aspects of knowledge, deeper meanings and philosophical teachings and feelings and effects might have been folded in the distinctive and comprehensive design of swastika. But at the core of it lies the spirit of auspiciousness and well-being of every individual, every family, society, nation, and the whole creation. It therefore continues to be of universal significance and reverence. What is required is that we grasp its implications and adapt them in all walks of life. Let the auspicious sentiments and teachings encoded in the swastika be expressed in our aspirations, thoughts and deeds. Let swastika not only be worshipped in our shrines, let it also be enshrined in our hearts and minds as the spirit and light of saintly sentiments, knowledge and wisdom.

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