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Lustrous and long Trishul with a pointed sharp tip at the bottom holds great significance. Every implement of the divine has its own importance and so the trident also holds its significance.
The upper three sharp and pointed faces of the trident resemble waking, dreaming, and sleeping or the three aspects of consciousness.
The trident is spiritual, transcendental and divine as it is the weapon of the head of all the demigods. The trishul also represents the three gunas: satva, raja, and tama.
It is the upholder of all three states and shul means the destruction of all the sufferings. It eradicates all the three problems in one’s spiritual life which are Aadibhautik (physical), Aadhyatmik (spiritual) and Aadidaivik (ethereal). Hence, it’s a blissful implement which relieves you from all the negativity and sufferings. Apart from it’s spiritual significance, this golden, astonishing and brilliantly carved illustration is just eye catching, which will look good in the hands of Lord Shiva.
The Trident as a Metaphor for Transformation: Understanding its
significance in Hindu philosophy
The trident holds great significance in Hinduism. It is a spear
having three prongs and is the principal weapon of Mahadev, Lord
Shiva. He is always depicted holding his Trishul (Trident) in one
of his hands. The Sanskrit word Trishul is the combination of two
words i.e. "Tri" meaning "three" and "Shul" or "Shool" meaning "a
stake". Goddess Durga, the consort of Lord Shiva, is also
sometimes seen holding the trident in her arm as one of her
weapons. She killed the great demon Mahishasura with it. Some
Shaivites (devotees of Lord Shiva) also carry the trident with
them as a means of protection. The Vedic scriptures are so vast
and detailed that they deal with all aspects of knowledge, both
material and spiritual. Anything mentioned in the Vedas is not
imaginary or false, it is scientific and based on the knowledge of
the Absolute Truth. Hinduism is rich in symbolism and Trident is
considered one of the most powerful symbols. Let us know more
about the trident and know its significance.
The symbolic meaning of the Trident
Considering the Trident only as a mere weapon is an incomplete
understanding. There is a profound meaning behind its divine
structure.
- The three prongs of the Trident represent the three modes of
material nature; Sattva Guna (mode of goodness), Rajas Guna
(mode of passion), and Tamas Guna (mode of ignorance), meaning
that everything and everyone in the material world is influenced
by these modes.
- Some also believe that the three prongs represent the three
forces of creation, maintenance, and annihilation. The
scriptures mention that the material universe is temporary
(Ashashvatam) and therefore it is first manifested and again
unmanifested, and this continues till eternity.
- The trident also symbolizes the three planetary systems.
According to the Vedic Puranas, there are three worlds within
the material sphere; the lower world (Bhurloka), the middle
world (Bhuvarloka), and the upper world (Svarloka).
From bondage to salvation
The Trident is seen as a subtle attack on the negative
tendencies or Anarthas such as lust, anger, greed, envy, ego,
and illusion. These Anarthas pollute the mind and intelligence
of the conditioned souls and cover their real identity and
consciousness. As a result, they forget their eternal
relationship with the Supreme Lord and become engrossed in
material existence. The Trident is an awakening for all the
forgetful souls to seek spiritual guidance to know about the
Absolute Truth.
The attack or stroke of the Trident destroys all the Anarthas
within their hearts. When this happens, the person transcends
the modes of material nature and is situated in pure goodness
(Shuddh Sattva). In this state of existence, he neither laments
for the past nor hankers for anything and remains blissful in
his spiritual identity. After leaving the material body, he does
not take birth again in any of the planetary systems, but rather
returns to the eternal abode of the Supreme. Hence, he comes out
of the cycle of repeated birth and death and is not subject to
the creation, maintenance, and destruction of the material
world.
This is achieved when an individual takes the shelter of a Guru
(spiritual master), Shastra (scriptures), and Sadhu (saintly
persons) which are the most important symbolic representation of
the three points of the Trident. Thus he breaks free from the
bondage of the ocean of nescience and becomes liberated.
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