Namaste
Another thread brought up the subject of the crowns worn by Devas and Devi. It sparked my interest to write a short post on a particular crown worn by Devi and Deva called the “Kirita Mukuta” and others of the same towering form. You will understand why I thought Jyotish is a good home for this post if you take a moment to read. I hope you enjoy and share any ideas or knowledge as well on either this crown, or others worn by Devas and Devi.
Sometimes the English word “crown” is used, but perhaps that is not the correct word to use other than out of convenience, but is translated as crown or diadem but sometimes can be made up of matted hair and is a particular headdress.
There are actually three crown types of this conical mukuta, though they are all related and distinct from just any other mukuta – Karanda Mukuta (basket like crown), Kirita Mukuta (cylindrical crown), Jata Mukuta (crown with much matted hair). The Siraschakra is found adorned on the back of the crown, a Chakra almost like Vishnu holds but it is a halo of Siras or head (Sanskrit “head”).
Jatakas is the tangled hair worn by an ascetic. It is the one typically worn by Shiva for example.
Kirti means glory, kirita is gem stoned crown of glory. It is the one typically worn by Vishu and Surya.
It is multi-tiered. Such a crown is more than just a tiara. We find it worn by Devi including Saraswati, by Rama and Vishnu, many other Devas and Devi, we see Shiva wearing this particular towering crown which has the shape of a multi-tiered mountain.
Typically found at the top of the crown is a bud-shaped (un-opened) lotus, or perhaps a gem.
Here we see Sita (Jata), Ram (Kirita), Lakshman (Jata) and Hanuman (Jata) wearing different styles of the towering crown:
I think it is because they went to the forest for 14 years, so we see that the Jata Mukuta is used, except for Ram who is notable in this as He wears the same crown you will see on Vishnu. I do not know if there is any relation between the 14 years and the 14 lokas.
What is the purport of this towering crown?
I think I can volunteer an answer. If there are those who want to correct me on this or have more information, please let me know.
Mount Meru also called Sumeru or Sumen is considered the Axis Mundi for this world that reaches to other worlds. It exists in this world, but extends spiritually and upon a certain time/place/conjunction it is pointing right to Indra’s heaven. You will find many multi-storied temples, both Hindu and Buddhist, as well as in Jaina iconography, that actually represent Mount Meru. It is also believed that Lalitha Devi lives at the peak of Mount Meru. The bud or unopened lotus represents the emergence of Shakti, or for that matter any Devas or Devi standing upon the lotus. Meru is surrounded by Jambudvipa. Surya circles about Mount Meru. This in my opinion means Mount Meru is also here on the Bhumi Mother Earth, though the Earth circles about the Sun.
I believe that this crown, these particular mukutas represent Mount Meru, the same Meru we see in the murthis, in the temple shapes, of Hindu, Jaina, Buddhist, mult-tiered, and even in the (rare) multi-tiered umbrella held over Murugan in South India and Lanka, in the umbrella of Buddhism, and in these very crowns.
We are in a place or loka, of 14 lokas, between the lower and the upper. Meru is our axis. The Devatas wear this type of crowns just as Pharaohs of ancient Egypt worn “crowns” representing Upper and Lower Egypt (Vulture of Upper Egypt, Cobra of Lower Egypt). In other words, it is worn to show the rule of our world or Loka. The rulership over us, and the entire breath of Meru to the gates of the heaven of Indra. I think Meru also means that one day we may travel up towards the heaven of Indra, and when Devas or Devi wear this Crown Type, they are telling us that they are watching over from this world to the edge of the gates of Indra – meaning watching and ruling us, our souls who live on this loka called Bhur Loka (7th) up to Bhuvar Loka (6th or space, world of stars) and to the gates of Svar Loka (5th the Heaven of Indra which to our eye is sometimes in conjunction between the Sun and the Polar Star directionally).
The Karanda style crown typically has 3 tiers (with a tip on top called the sikha mani). We often see the others of this crown type also with 3 tiers. Could this represent Bhur, Bhuvar, Svar?
I could be wrong. Am I?
Have fun Jyotish Masters!
Om Namah Sivaya
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