An Idea of Three
This is a trishula, one of the popular symbols of Lord Shiva.
In Sanskrit ‘Tri’ means three and ‘Shula’ means a spear.
Thus Trishula Trishula (त्रिशूल) is a kind of spear with Three sharp points rather than one.
Lord Shiva is called also as ‘Trishula Dhara’ which means “one who holds the Trishula”.
The weapon symbolizes empire and the irresistible force of transcendental reality.
The three prongs of the trishula represent Shiva’s three aspects of creator, preserver and destroyer as well as the three shaktis (powers) will, action and wisdom.
It is also past, present and future and the three gunas, tamas, sattva, and rajas ( existence, atmosphere and darkness).
The fearsome goddess Durga also brandishes a trishula in one of her seven hands.
Trishula can sometimes also designate the Buddhist symbol of the triratna.
A similar word, Trishul, is the Romani word for Cross.
This was shot at the corner of Prayag ghat along the Ganges in Varanasi (Benaras).
