Pratiika

A triangle with one vertex up superimposed on another triangle with one vertex down, with the rising sun having a swastika inside. These are symbols of energy, knowledge, advancement and permanent victory, respectively.

You shall protect, in all respects and at all costs….. the sanctity….. of your emblem…..

The pratiika is the visual representation of Ananda Marga’s ideology. As such, it is our most important symbol. It protects us against negative influences. Baba says that we should “protect in all respects and at all costs….. the sanctity” of the pratiika. The pratiika should be printed on the title page (and optionally the cover) of all Baba’s books, but not on any other book. All Margis must wear a small pratiika around the neck, so that it hangs over the anahata cakra. If possible, every jagriti should be topped by a saptalok (two-dimensional seven-step pyramid) displaying the pratiika. (It may be kept in private homes also; but private houses should not display the pratiika outside.) The editors recommend:

A pratiika printed on paper should always be framed, or protected in some similar way. It should not be taped on walls, tacked on bulletin boards, etc.
A pratiika should be burned if it is necessary to dispose of it. Even a hand-drawn pratiika should never be put in a wastebasket.

The meaning of the pratiika: The six-pointed star is a yantra (machine or tool serving a special purpose) called Bhaeravii cakra. It is composed of two equilateral triangles. The triangle pointing upward represents energy, or more specifically, the human mind in its relation to physical energies. It also represents action or the outward flow of energy through selfless service to humanity. The triangle pointing downward represents knowledge, or more specifically the mind in its relation to prajina (cognitive faculty); that is, it represents the inward search or spiritual realization.

The sun in the centre represents advancement, and the swastika represents permanent spiritual victory.

The swastika is an ancient symbol which has a very deep and significant meaning. The word svastika derived from two Sanskrit roots, su and asti, which means respectively “good” and “to be, to exist”. So literally the word svastika means “well-being”, or “good existence”. The basic element of the swastika is the cross. The vertical line represents Shiva (Cognitive Principle), and the horizontal line represents Shakti (Operative Principle). Since natural movement from subtle to crude is in a clockwise direction, the tails of the swastika are oriented such that the swastika will rotate counter-clockwise. This symbolizes spiritual movement, in particular the direction of the force that must be applied to the kundalinii to arouse it.

Thus the whole symbol represents the balance between the inward spiritual quest and outward serviceful action, and also represents the results of this balance – all-round advancement and permanent spiritual victory.

A backwards swastika will have a negative effect, so not only should the backwards swastika never be used, but reversible pratiikas (a pratiika that may be viewed either from the front or the back) should not be used, since if the pratiika is viewed from the back, the swastika will be reversed.

-- “Ananda Marga – Spiritual and Social Practices” edited by: Taraka and Ac. Acyutananda Avt.