Veena Symbol – History And Meaning
Although there are 7 types of this very ancient Indian musical instrument, the word “veena” of today has come to signify the Saraswati veena. It is the Carnatic music sphere’s most pertinent instrument.
Veena is claimed to be among the hardest instruments to learn and master. It is made by expert artisans out of sturdy jackfruit wood, which is abundant in some Indian regions. These instruments create the gamakas or graces of Indian Music.
The Saraswati veena has such a distinctive sound that while it’s bold and vibrant, it is also warm and luxurious-sounding. The music it creates is reflective as well as therapeutic. This particular veena is rich historically, dating back to about 1500 BC, but it remains a very popular instrument today.
If you want to learn more about the Veena symbol, read on to find out the meaning, history, and significance of this Hindu symbol.
Veena Symbol – History And Meaning
Veena is deemed divine in the Hindu culture as it supposedly expresses the emotions of the gods. As a human musical instrument, veena is said to express the emotions of man.
As a Hindu symbol, veena is famous as a feature on Saraswati. The goddess is often depicted as holding this instrument. Other deities are depicted as holding and playing the veena as well, making it a divine instrument for the Hindus.
Veena Symbol History
Veena is one of the oldest string Indian musical instruments. Its origin can be traced back to the ancient stringed instrument called yazh, which is akin to the Grecian harp.
Veena is one of the three primary musical instruments mentioned in the Vedas. The other two are venu or flute and mrindanga. Although veena has been known since time immemorial, this instrument’s design is different in the Vedas as compared to the veena we see today.
Veena is also mentioned in a number of sutras and Brahmanas. Veenas come with varying numbers of strings. The ekatantri has but a single string, but in Vedic literature, there are veenas with up to 100 strings.
Hindu gods and goddesses are commonly depicted as holding or playing the veena. This is why Hindus consider this instrument to be sacred. The Divine Mother is described by the Classical Sanskrit author Kalidasa as playing the veena.
Various Indian sages are also depicted as veena players. One of them—and perhaps the most notable—is Narada, the divine sage. His veena was said to be his inseparable companion.
The Ramayana and Mahabharata epics also mention the veena. The former tells of the 9-stringed veena called the vipanchi. In some parts of this epic, veena is called laya as well as tantri. The ekatantri is also mentioned as having been played by Prince Lava and his twin brother Kusha in Lord Rama’s court.
Veena has gone through various modifications and innovations through the ages. The current form of this instrument is attributed to the 17th-century monarch Raghunath Nayak. There are still new veena instruments developing, but whether they will penetrate the South Asian music genres still remains to be seen.
The Veena Symbol
The Indian veena is comprised of chordophone instruments. Because of its shape, it is often compared to the human body. The veena’s sound even matches the humming sound made by a human.
The veena’s kudam—or big bowl—resembles the human head. The human spinal column, as well as its connection to the chakras, is compared to the veena’s fingerboard that is connected to its curved end.
The veena’s frets are likened to the human vertebrae, as well as the principles in yoga. The black beeswax in which these frets are embedded is said to be the illusion that man suffers from.
The dragon’s head which is the veena’s yali is interpreted to represent courage and triumph over evil.
The birudais or pegs, on the other hand, are symbolic of the mind which rules everything.
The Hindu goddess Saraswati is often depicted as holding a veena. The instrument represents creative arts and sciences, and Saraswati holding it is symbolic of expressing knowledge where harmony originates.
The veena represents almost every Hindu deity, so it is believed to have the ability to grant benediction, positivity, and divine blessings. By seeing and touching the veena, Hindus believe they will attain liberation and purification from sins.
The Veena Symbol Meaning
In ancient and medieval Indian literature, the Sanskrit word “veena” generally stands for any plucked-string musical instrument. The term “veena” nowadays, however, has come to refer to the Saraswati veena.
Veena is one of the three primary musical instruments mentioned in the Vedas. The other two are venu or flute and mrindanga.
Veena is a 1.5-meter long musical instrument created from jackfruit wood. Its large round body has a thick and wide neck, the end of which is carved into an ornamental dragon’s head. Secured in the underside of the neck is a small resonator. Its 24 metal frets are fixed in hardened beeswax, blended with charcoal powder.
