The Significance of the Logo of our Ashram

The ultimate objective of human life is to attain and achieve the divine grace of the Almighty God. While, there can be numerous paths in which one can attain God, the most viable foundations laid down by Hindu Dharma are – Gyan (Knowledge), Bhakti (Devotion), Karma (Nishkam) (Selfless Service) and Yoga (Ashtanga Yoga).

To understand the symbolisation of our Logo (Sri SriBalananda Ashram), firstly, let us decipher the essence of some crucial backdrop. According to the Yoga Shastra of Hindu Dharma, there are Six Chakras (Energy Points) present in the human body, precisely, they lie at different points of the body, within the spinal cord. The Chakras are sequenced such that they are upward rising starting from the bottom of the body to the Crown (Head). The Chakras are named as follows; Muladhar Chakra (Pelvic Plexus), Swasdhisthan Chakra (Hypogastric Plexus), Manipur Chakra (Epigastric Plexus), Annahata Chakra (Cardiac Plexus), Visuddha Chakra (Cervical Plexus) and Agna Chakra (Medulla Oblangata). Associated with the above Chakras, there are three subtle nerves present inside the spinal cord. The most prominent one, which rises right in the centre of the spinal cord is named SushumnaNadi (Sushumna). The one on the left side of the spinal cord is named Ira Nadi (Ira, also known as Chandra Nadi) and the one present of the right side of the spinal cord is named Pingala Nadi (Pingala, also known as Surya Nadi). The assimilation of all the three veins results in the formation of the Trigunatika Shakti (Power of Chandra, Surya and Sushumna). This Trigunatika Shakti is present in the Muladhar Chakra and it lies in a deep sleeping form, intertwined in a three and a half circle. In this state, the Trigunatika Shakti is named as Kundalini Shakti. A true seeker of God needs to revive and awaken this Kundalini Shakti and make it surpass through all the Chakras and reach the ultimate destination, i.e., the Swahasrar, which is in the form of a lotus having twelve petals facing upwards and a thousand petals facing downwards. In the centre of Swahasrar (Lotus), there is point named Bindu that symbolises Pronab (Om).

Thereby, the Serpent used in our Logo, symbolises the awakening of the Kundalini Shakti, which, through severe Devotion and Sadhana can reach the Swahasrar and achieve the state of Samadhi (eternal divine grace). This Samadhi state is symbolised by the Om used in our logo. The Chakra in our logo symbolises the Swahasrar (Lotus). While, the two Triangles used in our logo, symbolises the Trigunatika Shakti, which encompasses the Kundalini Shakti, which rises from the sleeping state and attains the ultimate objective of achieving the state of Samadhi. Thus,in conclusion, we must realise the true purpose of our human life and work in accordance to achieve the divine grace. For which, as earlier stated, one can attain and achieve the eternal bliss and the grace of the Supreme Being, through Gyan, Bhakti, Karma and Yoga. However, a more powerful yet simplified means of achieving the Almighty is through Guru Kripa.