Dhvaja
Dhvaja · dhvaja, “banner”
Hasta has other meanings too: see all meanings of Hasta.
Grammar: masculine noun: “a banner, a flag”.
Meaning: a banner or flag, raised to a deva, borne on a chariot, or worn as a mark.
In the scriptures: the Bhavishya Purāṇa speaks of the dhvaja in three ways.
Given to Sūrya. One who gives Sūrya, for a year, an oil vessel and a dhvaja obtains the same fruit as the gifts named before it, and the pāpas such a giver did unknowingly are shaken by the wind of the banner by day and night, and perish (Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 64).
As a mark. Pūrṇakumbha and dhvaja marks, with gold, gems, dirisena and māṇikya, make long-lived those who wear them at the throat. Even the darśana (sight) of these is excellent (Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 36).
Among the utpātas. A king suddenly seen on a chariot adorned with dhvaja, cāmara, chatra and siṃhāsana is a great utpāta (portent). If the shadow of a dhvaja is seen in the sky, there is great upheaval in the rāshṭra (Bhavishya Purāṇa, Madhyama Parva, Bhāga 3, Chapter 20).
Related terms: Cāmara · Chatra · Ratha · Utpāta · Indradhvaja · Dhvaja Navamī
Sources
- Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapters 36, 64; Madhyama Parva, Bhāga 3, Chapter 20