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Tree Spirits Investigation II - Secret
Shrines
(Part 10 of 12) |
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Tree Worship from Hinduism view
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Sacred trees
Hinduism, the nature loving faith,
regard trees as types of eternal life. Several trees and
shrubs are regarded as sacred because of their
medicinal/aesthetic/natural qualities as
well as some because of their proximity to a particular deity.
The spirits that inhibit the trees are Yakshas and are offered
food, water and cloth (tied on the branches of the tree).
Shrubs:
TULSI: Its botanical name is ocimum gratissimum or
sanctum. This plant is sacred to Vishnu and is pervaded by
the essence of this deity and is itself worshipped as a deity.
It is said to be one of the products of churning of the ocean by
devas and asuras.
SOMA: Its botanical name is Sarcostema viminalis or
Asclepias acida, a kind of creeper with leafless stem. This
plant produces an invigorating beverage, also known as Soma,
Amrita or Ambrosia which confers health, vigor and immortality.
PARIJATA: This plant is no longer available on earth.
It was a divine plant that grew in the gardens of Indralok.
It became a source of tension between Indra and Krishna, and Lord
Krishna finally brought this plant to earth on the request of his
consort Satyabhama. This plant is said to have again
ascended to Indralok when Lord Krishna left for his heavenly
abode. The legend is as follows:
Indra planted the Parijata tree, one of the products of the
churning of ‘Ocean of Milk’, in his garden. Narada, who
delighted in sowing discord, brought a flower of this tree to
Dwarka and presented it to Krishna. He waited to seeto which
of his wives krishna would give the flower. Krishna gave it
to Rukmani whereupon Narada went straight to Satyabhama, Krishna’s
other consort wearing a sorrowful look. On her enquiry why
he was sad, the sage replied that he had presented Krishna with a
flower of the Parijata tree thinking that he would present it to
her, his favorite wife, but was grieved to find that he had given
it to rukmani instead. Satyabhama’s jealousy was roused, and
she asked Narada as to what could be done to spite Rukmani.
The sage advised her to to ask Krishna to bring the Parijata tree
itself to Dwarka, and plant it near her abode. After gving
this advice he went back to the celestial region, and informed
Indra that thieves were about, and that he should guard Parijata
tree with care. Satyabhama repaired to the ‘anger chamber’
and when Krishna came to her and tried to console her, she replied
she would not be satisfied with anything less than the Parijata
tree itself. Krishna proceeded to Amrawati with Satyabhama,
stole into indra’s garden and uprooted the Parijata tree.
Mounted on Garuda, he escaped with the tree but Indra, warned by
Narada, followed him. A battle followed and Indra was
defeated and Krishna brought the tree to Dwarka
Now he had to face the problem of fulfilling his promise to
Satyabhama without offending Rukmani. He solved the problem
by planting the tree in such a position that while its base and
trunk lay within Satybhama’s garden, its branches extended over
the adjoining palace of Rukmani, scattering flower early in the
morning.
N.B. The parijata tree is believed to be ‘Har Singar’ (Nyctanthes
arbor-tristis) which shed its flowers at nighttime when they
exhale exquisite fragrance
Plants:
PIPAL OR ASVATTH: Its botanical name is Ficus
religious and is considered equivalent to Lord Vishnu. No
Hindu dares to cut this tree, even if it comes in the way of doing
any work (e.g., construction.). The site of its presence is
left untouched and the construction is re-routed in such a manner
that the tree is left intact.
BANYAN TREE: This tree is also called Vat or Bad and
its botanical name is Ficus indica. The name Banyan is said
to have been derived from the word baniya, name given to Hindu
Merchants who worshipped it.
BILVA PATRA: The other names of this tree are Bel or
Wood apple and its botanical name is Aegle marmilos. Leaves
of this tree are offered to Lord Shiva. The triple form of
bilva-patra is most sacred and is placed on Shiva-linga during the
month of Shraawana.
ASHOKA: The botanical name of this plant is Saraca
Indica or Jonesia asoka and is sacred to Lord Shiva.
Grasses:
The Kusha Grass (Poacynosuroids) and Durva Grass (Agrostis
linearis) are the holiest of all grasses. In all hindu-rituals
Kusha is must and when it is wounded round the finger, it makes
the person fit to perform even the most solemn rites. The
Durva grass is sacred to Ganesha and is offered to him during
pooja.
Flowers:
LOTUS: This flower has great importance in Hinduism
because of its association with Brahma (born in lotus) and Lakshmi
(coming out of the churned ocean with a lotus in her hand).
Its association with the Gods makes this flower sacred, though it
is not worshipped directly as such.
Fruits:
COCONUT: Also known as Naarial or Kaashi-fal is
recognized as the fruit of the Goddess of prosperity. This
fruit is offered to all the deities.
SITA PHAL: Also known as custard apple is considered
a sacred fruit and is offered to Gods during performing a Pooja.
RUDRAKSHA (Elaeocarpus ganitous): The rosary of
rudraksha (rough berries of Rudraksha tree ) is considered very
sacred and is worn by Saivities and is also used as japmala for
performing meditation.
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