The Spiritual Meaning of Malyavan, Swastika, and Shaligram

Question

What is the symbolic meaning of “Malyavan,” and why are circular symbols like the Swastika and Shaligram important in spiritual understanding?

Answer

The word “Malyavan” comes from “Malya,” meaning garland, and the suffix “van,” meaning “possessing.” So “Malyavan” means “that which is adorned with a garland.”

Now, what does a garland symbolize? A garland is circular in shape. It represents cyclical movement. Through the symbol of the garland, it is being indicated that all movements in life and in the universe are circular or cyclical in nature. Nothing in life moves in a completely straight line.

Morning comes, then afternoon, then evening, then night, and then morning again. The movement of a single day itself is circular.

Similarly, the seasons move in cycles. One season goes, another comes, and eventually the first returns again.

Years also move cyclically — December ends, January begins, and the cycle continues.

Even the great cosmic cycles — Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dwapara Yuga, and Kali Yuga — move in cycles.

And human life itself moves in cycles: taking a body, leaving a body, taking another body, leaving it again. This too is cyclical.

So through the symbol of Malyavan Mountain, the teaching seems to be that one of the most important aspects of wisdom is understanding the cyclical movement of life and constantly reflecting upon it.

Why is it important to contemplate this cyclical nature?

Because it gives two great benefits.

First, when we understand that life moves in cycles, we do not become hopeless during difficult times. For example, when people think about the condition of the present age — Kali Yuga — they often feel disturbed seeing negativity and disorder in society. But if we remember that all movement is cyclical, then we understand that no phase lasts forever. This difficult time too will eventually change.

A person who understands cyclical movement remains hopeful. They know that after Kali Yuga, Satya Yuga must also come.

Without this understanding, people become deeply distressed whenever painful events happen in the world or in society.

Second, this understanding also protects us during good times.

Suppose life is going beautifully, full of happiness and comfort. If we understand the cyclical nature of existence, then we do not become arrogant during good times. We remember that this phase too will pass because the wheel of life keeps turning.

So:

• during sorrow, we do not fall into despair,

• and during happiness, we do not become egoistic.

This is the wisdom symbolized by Malyavan.

The same teaching has also been placed symbolically into daily life through the Swastika symbol.

When we draw a Swastika, if its lines are extended outward, they eventually form a circular motion. The Swastika too symbolizes the cyclical movement of life.

That is why the Swastika was traditionally drawn during auspicious occasions and on doorways. Earlier people used to draw it very frequently. Even today it is still used in many places.

Whenever the Swastika is drawn, it should remind us that life moves in cycles.

There is another symbolic reminder found in daily spiritual practice — the Shaligram stone.

In rivers, certain stones naturally become smooth and round through the movement of water. Some of these stones even develop circular markings upon them. Such stones are called Shaligram Shila.

These stones are placed in places of worship not merely as objects of ritual, but as reminders of this same truth:

• do not become hopeless in times of sorrow,

• and do not become arrogant in times of happiness.

The Shaligram continuously reminds us to remain balanced while understanding the cyclical nature of life.