Saffron is composed of shades of golden-yellow and orange. It is the most sacred color for Hindus. It represents the fire (Agni) which burns the impurities and cleanses itself in the process. It is red in the bottom; the middle is yellow and the top is orange and symbolizes purity, wisdom and the quest for light—sages and ascetics who have renounced the world dress in saffron. Saffron is the color of the sunset and sunrise, which symbolize sacrifice, light and the search for salvation. Shiva loves saffron.

Saffron is broken up in red, yellow and orange. Red is the color of worship; women wear a red bindi (kokum made from turmeric powder) and a red sari during their wedding. Yellow is worn by priests, who are not monks and orange is reserved for the sannyasin, who has renounced all.

Brihaspati’s favorite color

Saffron paste is used in Pujas and the paste applied on the forehead of devotees is a mark of God’s blessings. Saffron is also used in the practice of awakening of the chakras. It is also believed that Brihaspati (Jupiter) has the place of the Guru and Vedic deity or granter of prayers. He is ascribed as being born from the first great light and is the one who drove away the darkness. And his favorite color is saffron.

Saffron is also a fragrant and brightly colored spice. It is derived from the crocus flower called Crocus sativus and is derived from the stigmas of the saffron crocus. The color is a reddish orange. It is used in pujas because it is the color of fire and represents purity, divinity and illumination. Saffron paste is used to anoint all deities. After it has been applied on the deities, the paste is used as a tilak for devotees.

Aim Hrim Klim

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