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Indian Christianity

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HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA : M. M. NINAN<br />

Trinity with sacrificial blood of Second Person<br />

Tripundra<br />

Tripundra is a Saivite's great mark, three stripes of white vibhuti on the brow. This holy ash signifies<br />

purity and the burning away of anava, karma and maya. The bindu, or dot, at the third eye quickens<br />

spiritual insight.<br />

Later in order to represent that this incomprehensible God incarnated in human form a face was added to<br />

the lingam. The earliest Ekmukh lingams (Udayagiri, Madhya Pradesh) are still in existence. (34)<br />

Later another interesting representation was the placement of the Tamil Om on top of the lingam, which<br />

later led to the form of Ganapathy, the elephant faced. None of these symbolisms are found earlier than<br />

the first century AD.<br />

Om as Logos<br />

Om took on form >> Ganesha = Lord of Hosts<br />

The Word took on flesh<br />

37

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