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Aptavani-8
Symbols from the Perspective of Worldly and Non-Worldly Vision
207
Questioner: In the temple of Shiva (Shivalaya), symbolic images of all the eight parts of Ashtangyoga, namely: yama (moral codes); niyam (discipline, self purification and study); aasan (postures; sitting place), pranayam (breath control); pratyahaar (sense control); dhyan (meditation), dhaarna (intention, upholding, supporting) and samadhi (oneness with the pure Self), have been placed there.
The tortoise symbolizes control over the senses (pratyahaar). The standing posture on the bull (nandiswar) represents the sitting or standing place (aasan). The consort of Lord Shiva (Parvatiji) represents the focusing of the chit (inner component of knowledge and vision) in one location (dhaarna), and Lord Shiva (Shankar Mahadev) symbolizes oneness with the pure Self (samadhi)...
Dadashri: These are symbolic representations. However deep one ventures into this, he must hurry back home as quickly as possible. All these symbols have been instilled for the benefit of others. However, if they help, they may help; otherwise, the symbols just remain as mere symbols. But these people have come to regard the symbols themselves as the truth. There is no such thing as Brahmaa, Vishnu or Mahesh. They are just symbolic representations of the three qualities (guna) of strength and virtue (sattva), passion (rajas) and darkness (tamas).
Questioner: Creator, preserver and destroyer.
Dadashri: Yes, and in the language of the Tirthankars, do you know what they are?
Origination (utpaad), preservation (dhrauv) and destruction (vyaya), is the language of the Tirthankars'. These three words, because of all these symbols allotted to them, have caused so much confusion, and the symbols themselves
