Mangalsutra

Mangalsutra

Why is this post?

Last year when we were buying Mangalsutra, a question popped up in mind, what is the significance of 2 cups in Mangalsutra, are these cups important or black beads? What is the significance? Although I asked this question to many of elders, friends, but, didn't get any concrete answers. In an attempt to find answers, starting this blog by collecting as much info as possible.

Note that, whatever is written below is info I have collected and not necessarily that, I believe this. I hope to find concrete answer and post it as conclusion. :)

Significance

The significance to the Mangalsutra was first given by Adi Shankara in his famous book Soundarya Lahari

Importance of Mangalsutra

•  Due to the mangalsūtra the woman remains conscious of Dharma, duty and rules. Wearing mangalsūtra is an important conduct for a married woman. This is called code of Righteousness for women. Due to this the woman does not indulge in wanton behaviour and her conduct remains ideal.
• Due to the mangalsūtra the woman and others are conscious of her marital status. Mangalsūtra is a marital bondage. Its main objective is that the woman should remember this sacred bondage and there should not be any immoral behaviour on her part. That others should also be conscious that the woman wearing a mangalsūtra is a married woman and she should be respected properly is also the objective behind it.
• Due to the mangalsūtra the consciousness of the husband in the form of Shiva remains constantly awakened in the woman.
• Mangalsūtra is symbolic of Shiva and Shakti. In this, gold is in the form of Shakti and the structure of stringed black beads is in the form of Shiva.
• Mangalsūtra is an ornament that attracts Divine Principle in highest proportion. In a mangalsūtra both the cups are hollow from one side and are raised from the other. The mangalsūtra is worn facing the hollow side towards the body. The Divine Principle is attracted in the voids of the cups in higher proportion than in any other ornaments.
• Through the mangalsūtra the woman gains Energy of Desire, Action and Knowledge. The mangalsūtra is a link that provides Shakti in the form of the Absolute Fire Element (Tēj) to the woman to actually perform a task.

 Structure of mangalsūtra with a kanṭhamaṇi and the gold cups

• The length of the mangalsūtra should be such that it reaches the Anahat-chakra or the centre of the chest. As the length of the mangalsūtra is up to the Anāhat-chakra, due to the sāttviktā of the mangalsūtra the increased Raja-guna in the woman is reduced. As a result, the attitude of detachment is generated in her. With this it becomes possible for the woman to dwell in the present constantly.

Why is the hollow part of the central cups of the Mangalsutra placed towards the Anahat-chakra?

In the centre of the mangalsūtra there are two cups. The cups should be round and there should be no design on its front.

•Round shape is associated with zero, that is, with the Brahman consisting of void. The ability to absorb and emit the waves of specific level as per the need of the person is more in the round shape compared to the other shapes.

•Round shape is symbolic of Energy of Knowledge.

•Round shape is associated with the Sattva-guna in the form of Shiva-Shakti.

•The central point of the round shape provides waves in the form of striking Shakti (Energy) whereas the raised part is associated with Brahman in the form of Shiva.

On both sides of each cup there are two round gold beads. This structure is associated with the Energy of Knowledge.

The subtle effect of the structure is:

•The waves of emotions are activated in the Anāhat-chakra of the woman.

•The waves of Energy of Knowledge are attracted towards the circular figure of the voids of the cups of the mangalsūtra.

•The waves of Knowledge assimilate the waves of the woman’s emotions.

By this process the woman’s actions (karmas) become non-actions (akarmas), that is, the law of action-and-fruit is not applicable to the karmas done by the woman because of which the awareness of doership of the woman reduces.

The four petal flowers above the cups of the Mangalsūtra:

•Above each cup of the mangalsūtra, there is a figure of a four petal flower. This is associated with the Action energy.

•The vibrations of the woman’s Energy of Action solidify in the round beads and are in the forefront in functioning as per the need.

•It helps generate a protective sheath near the Anāhat-chakra of the woman.

Why should there be no design on the raised front part of the cups?

If there is no design on the front part of the cups, there is no restriction on the ability of the structure to absorb and emit the Absolute Fire Element (Tēj-tattva) in gold. Similarly the gold cups and the bead of the mangalsūtra being design-free, its ability to absorb and emit the Chaitanya in the Universe increases. Hence, the woman is protected from the attacks of negative energies.

Why are two strings of black beads present in the Mangalsūtra?

The two strands of black beads of mangalsūtra symbolise Shiva and Shakti. From the task performed by the union of Shiva and Shakti, one gains benefit in the form of Chaitanya. This gain is depicted in the form of the central gold cups that join the strands. The two strands of mangalsūtra symbolise duality. Duality means continuity of task. The two strands of the beads are used from this perspective also. The rectangular shaped void created in one part of the two strands of black beads attracts the waves of Energy of Desire. The nine black beads stringed in each part of the strand symbol-ise the nine forms of the Primal Energy (Ādishakti). The black beads strung in the gold cord collect the negative vibrations of the attack of negative energies, on the body of the woman from time to time and destroy them.

There are seven parts of nine black beads each in both the strands mangalsūtra of the mangalsūtra. In order to demonstrate these parts, four gold round-shaped beads are arranged in a square shape as a central link. With this the Shakti Principle in the woman remains in a constantly activated state and it is protected from the attacks by negative energies.

Importance of structure of Mangalsūtra

In the mangalsūtra there are two gold cups in the centre, one gold bead on each side and then black beads are strung. In each of the two strands of the mangalsūtra nine beads followed by two gold beads are strung. Due to the black beads strung in the mangalsūtra the woman is harmed to some extent.

•Waves of black energy associated with the Absolute Earth and Water element are attracted to the black beads of the mangalsūtra.

•A cover of these waves is generated around the body of the woman.

•Through the black beads waves of black energy are emitted in the atmosphere.

Due to the covering of black energy waves there is distress like pain, giddiness, restlessness etc. Considering the harm, one may wonder why the black beads should be used. Though there is 30 percent harm due to the black beads strung in the mangalsūtra, there is 70 percent benefit also. The reason for this is that mangalsūtra is beaded with a thin wire of gold. The gold wire destroys the distressing vibrations present in the Universe through its Energy of the Absolute Fire element (Tēj-Shakti).

The reason for the destruction of distressing vibrations by the Tēj-Shakti of gold: The use of black beads and gold in mangalsūtra is akin to amulet, that is, talisman. For alleviation of distress by negative energies, an amulet or a talisman is worn around the neck. The black thread of the amulet attracts the black energy and the Holy ash in the amulet destroys it. In a mangalsūtra black beads are used in place of black thread and gold in the place of Holy ash. When a woman with more than 50 percent spiritual level wears a mangalsūtra the ability of the gold in it to emit the Absolute Fire Element (Tēj-tattva) remains activated.

•The structure of the cups and the beads strung on both sides of the mangalsūtra are associated with the woman’s Energy of procreation. One cup and the beads at its sides make a figure of a triangle. This figure keeps the woman’s Energy of procreation continuously awakened. Energy of procreation is the Energy spreading enthusiasm continuously in the entire Universe through the medium of Creation. Thereby, she constantly remains in a loving mode.

•The round shape of the mangalsūtra awakens the woman’s Central channel (Sushumnā-nāḍī). The elliptical shape of the mangalsūtra is associated with the unmanifest Energy of Action of Srīvishṇu. This shape awakens the Central channel (Sushumnā-nāḍī) of the woman. Hence, it helps the prākruti in the form of woman to merge with Shiv in the form of man. As per the design of the mangalsūtra, its effect is expressed either at the saguṇ or Nirguṇ level.

Why do men don't have to wear a Mangalsutra?

Every Conduct for men and women has been propounded with a specific objective. If wearing a mangalsūtra is Dharma for women, wearing a janēu(sacred thread) is Dharma for men. On this, some people may question why is there no custom for men to wear a mangalsūtra?

Since in Karmakānḍa, man is recognized as a father-figure, the possibility of adultery by him is less. The nature of men is basically strong, determined and conducive for leadership. Hence, in the performance of Karmakānḍa, man is recognised as a father-figure. Due to the authority as a father, the possibility of adultery is less. In society however, men are more adulterous than women. If this be so, why is it said that the possibility of adultery by man is less ?

Compared to a woman, a man is less emotional, more introverted and rational. So there is less possibility of his being adulterous / wilful. Yet various Conducts have been prescribed for him in Hindu Dharma. In Kaliyuga, men and women are equally adulterous. In this situation, what should men do to acquire the same benefits as that of wearing a mangalsūtra? The answer is that when the man carries out his father-figure duties and inculcates an attitude of listening to others, it will foster unity in the family. Holy thread (janēu) worn by him will remind him of his father-figure duties.