Importance of Saffron colour (Bhagwa/Kesari) in Hinduism– The demand to ban Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan’s new film ‘Pathan’ is increasing rapidly. The film’s new song ‘Besharam Rang…’ has been launched recently, with people reacting strongly on social media. The main reason for people’s displeasure is the color of the clothes worn by Deepika Padukone. In Hinduism white, red, orange, yellow, saffron and saffron colors are given great importance. This color symbolizes renunciation, sacrifice, knowledge, purity and service. In Sanatana Dharma the saffron color is worn by monks and hermits who have taken the vow to walk the path of salvation. Such ascetics live in an ashram by donating themselves and their family members, renouncing all kinds of attachments.
Importance of Saffron colour (Bhagwa/Kesari) in Hinduism
Saffron color
The seven root colors are associated with the seven chakras of our body, with the second being the Swadhisthana or Trichakra also called the Kesarachakra. This is the most important chakra when it comes to health. Buddhists believed that saffron is the color of happiness, as it is a mixture of yellow and red. Focusing on the color saffron can bring many benefits in one’s life on both mental and physical levels.
Get rid of impurities
Red, yellow and saffron are the most common colors in fire. Fire is very important in Hinduism. Yajna, lamp and cremation are the work of fire itself. Fire is also associated with sacred sacrifices, so saffron, yellow or saffron colors are considered very auspicious in Hindu tradition. Agni destroys vices and also frees one from the shackles of ignorance. A saffron garment increases the flow of positive energy in a person’s body by removing the impurities hidden within.
Desire for salvation
In the Puranic times, the sadhus who wanted to attain moksha, being ignorant of the reality of life, carried fire with them. This fire also became a sign of their identity and their sanctity, but it was not possible to keep the fire with them all the time. So after that the sadhus started walking with the saffron flag. Then slowly he started wearing this color clothes.
Buddhism
Apart from Sanatana Dharma, saffron color is considered sacred in many religions, like in Buddhism, Lord Buddha’s clothes are also shown as saffron color. In Buddhism, this color is considered a symbol of self-renunciation. Atma Tyaga means freeing oneself from the bonds of attachment. This color separates them from the world and connects them only with God. Saffron cloth is mentioned in “Dhammapada”, the original book of Buddhism. It is mentioned in this book that-
- ‘Whose character is corrupt; Those who lack self-restraint and truth are not worthy of saffron clothing.’- Dhammapada 1.9
- ‘Whose character is free from corruption; Only those who are inculcated with values and self-restraint and righteousness are worthy of the saffron garment’ – Dhammapada 1.10
Nishan Sahib
Apart from this, saffron or saffron color is also given great importance in Sikhism. The sacred mark of Sikhism ‘Nishan Sahib’ is also wrapped in saffron. Apart from this, the Panj Pyare created by Gobind Singh, the tenth and last Guru of Sikhism, also lived in saffron clothes. Apart from this, the groom wears a saffron colored turban at the time of marriage which is associated with the happiness of his future life. A male follower of Sikhism wears only a saffron or saffron colored turban during any religious functions.