Plants and animals have been mentioned innumerable times within our holy texts, for a variety of different reasons. Certain trees, plants and leaves enjoy an exalted, sacred status (has been worshiped as a deity), there are many such trees and plants, which are given importance religiously and spiritually, the eight trees (peepal, banyan, neem, tulsi, kaith, bael, amla and mango) of nature, worship has an important contribution in environmental protection.
These trees, plants, leaves, flowers and fruits are form of / part and parcel of many rituals and poojas and hence, are vital to the daily life of a Hindu in scientific ways. We are all familiar with plants like tulsi, peepal, bel, mango and a variety of flowers which are associated with each God.
The most commonly used leaves are that of Durva, Aghada, Tulsi, Bilva, Prajakta, Mogra and Madhumalati. All of them are directly related to the Panchmahabhuta and are considered important for their specific qualities.
The colored leaves or patra are capable of attracting the deity and absorbing their energy unto themselves. These Patras are thus believed to be able to purify the surrounding atmosphere. Only those Patras should be offered to the deity, which can absorb the deity principle. That is why only those leaves are offered which are believed to be "liked" by that particular God or Goddess.
In most community pujas, 21 different types of leaves are offered to Ganesh. Machi, Brihati, Bilva, Durva Grass, Dattura, Badari, Apa Marga, Tulsi, Choota (Mango leaves), Karaveera, Vishnu Kranta, Daadimi (Pomegranate) Devadaru, Maruvaka, Sidhuvara, Jaaji, Shami, Aswatham, Arjuna, Arka, Nimba (Neem). Three such plants, which are considered most sacred by the Hindu pantheon, include Bilva (or Bel leaves) and Tulsi (or Basil). Durva grass is used for the Ganesh Puja exclusively to keep him cool.
The Bilva or the Bel tree can be found almost in all parts of India, irrespective of the weather and water conditions in that area, nature of the soil and so on. This leaf tastes bitter and has an astringent and rather dry feel to it. Tall and imposing, the tree is quite unlike the Tulsi and has a gnarled trunk and sharp thorns, which discourage people to go too close to it. Bilva is also referred to as Bael or Bael Shriphal. Its fruit, called 'stone apple', is rather large and pale yellow when ripe. The botanical name for the tree is Aegle Marmelops and it belongs to the Rutaceae family.
Bilva is Lord Shiva's tree - the Lord is always worshipped with its leaves. It is believed that the tree is beloved to him. Practically every Shiva temple in India will have a Bilva tree in or around its area. This tree can also be found in many Devi temples, where it is treated with great veneration and respect. Ayurveda states the Bilva tree has tremendous medicinal properties and that each of its parts, including its root, fruit and leaves are capable of curing multiple diseases afflicting the human body.
The Shiva Purana states that the Bilva tree is the manifest form of Lord Shiva himself. All the great tirthas (pilgrimage spots) are believed to reside at its base. The one who sits under the Bilva and worships Shiva can effortlessly attain the state of the Lord himself. Washing one's hair by this tere is said to be equivalent to be bathing in all the sacred rivers.
The dark trifoliate of the Bel leaves represent the three eyes of Shiva. The bilva leaves are-symbols of three Gunasaar; Sattva Rajas and Tamos. They also comprise a small percentage of Shiva's substance, Mercury. The five portions of the tree, the root, bark, leaf, flowers and fruit, also have great medicinal value and are used to cure snakebites.
The famous Bilvashtakam extols the many virtues of the Bael tree and talks about Shiva's love for it. There are many reasons why Shiva is believed to be closely associated with this tree. The tripatra or the trifoliate leaves represent not only his Trinetra or three eyes, but also the Divine Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva; the Trishakti of volition, action and knowledge;
The three types of Jyotirlingas, that is, Itaralinga, Banalinga and Swayambhu linga; the three actions of Creation, Preservation and Destruction; the three gunas of Satva, Rajas and Tamas; and the three syllables of AUM, the primordial sound that resonates Shiva's very essence.
The Atharva Veda describes the Bilva tree to be so sacred that its wood cannot be burned for fuel. Even today, it is worshipped as a totemic deity by certain aboriginal tribes in India. Not only is it sacred; it also has immense medicinal properties. From the medicinal point of view Bel fruits are very useful. In the ancient Ayurvedic system of medicine one can find ample references of usefulness of Bel for the cure for habitual constipation, dysentery and dyspepsia. Bilva leaves too help control excess vata and kapha and can be helpful in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
Chewing a few leaves on a daily basis and drinking their fresh juice is believed to be beneficial to this condition, over the long term. In the dasamula-the famous Ayurvedic tonic, Bel is one of the ten vital ingredients. According to the Smriti those who wear amulet of Bilva, their offspring is not harmed at the time of birth and misfortune never invades the house.
The unripe fruit cures excess vata and kapha, indigestion and other mild stomach problems and dyspepsia. When mixed with honey, it can even help stop vomiting. While the half-ripe fruit is digestive, anti-diarrhoeal and can bind the bowels, the ripe fruit is laxative, and acts as an appetizer and blood purifier as well.
The fruit has a hard rind, which is green when not ripe and turns pale yellow to brown as it ripens. Its flesh is sweet and astringent and contains tannin, which is good for the bowels. It has a rather pleasant and aromatic flavor and can act as an excellent dietary supplement. The fruit contains vegetable acid, gums and small doses of sugar, white seeds and a transparent gel-like substance. The pulp of this dried fruit, mixed with arrowroot, is considered to be very good for health.
This mixture is believed to be able to stop dysentery and diarrhea, particularly in the case of children. The unripe fruit cures excess vata and kapha, indigestion and other mild stomach problems and dyspepsia. When mixed with honey, it can even help stop vomiting. While the half-ripe fruit is digestive, anti-diarrhoeal and can bind the bowels, the ripe fruit is laxative, and acts as an appetizer and blood purifier as well.
The dark trifoliate of the Bel leaves represent the three eyes of Shiva. They also comprise a small percentage of Shiva's substance, Mercury. The leaves have a pleasing smell and are used in the worship of both Shiva and Parvati. They also form an essential part of tantric rituals. It is said that offerings of water sprinkled on these leaves will also remain fresh.
Bilva leaves too help control excess vata and kapha and can be helpful in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Chewing a few leaves on a daily basis and drinking their fresh juice is believed to be beneficial to this condition, over the long term. They also produce more perspiration, thus reducing temperature and; in this manners; treating mild fevers.
They also are believed to act as an aphrodisiac. Combined with black pepper, this can cure mild cases of jaundice and when diluted with water or honey, this can control feverishness as well. Interestingly, there are sadhus (mendicants and sannyasis) who live on the consumption of Bilva leaves alone.
The root of the Bel tree is the most important part, medicinally. The root's outer skin is first removed. A preparation made from this root with ginger and toasted rice cures vomiting. The root mixed with the root of Padha can be used for the treatment of piles, dysentery and diarrhea. The oil extracted from the root and boiled along with the juice of Bilva leaves is applied to the head to treat some minor nasal and ear conditions. The Vilvadi Lehiyam is also made from this root.
Ganesh Patris, or Patri, is the numerous types of sacred leaves that are offered during Ganesha Puja. The Patris are usually offered during festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi Puja. Traditionally leaves of 108 different types of plants are offered. But today most people confine the offering to Durva grass and Bilva leaves. In some places, certain wild patris are worshipped instead of Ganesh idol. It must be noted here that Tulsi is only used during Vinayaka Chaturthi. Most of the Patris that are used in Ganesh puja have medicinal properties and today many people are growing these plants at home.
Tulsi also commonly referred to as Holy Basil, is one of the most sacred plants in Hindu belief. Scientifically called Ocimum Tenuiflorum, it is regarded by Hindus as the actual earthly manifestation of Goddess Tulsi, who was a great devotee of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu. Hence, the use of Tulsi leaves is mandatory in the worship of Vishnu and all his forms.
Hindus believe that the presence of a Tulsi plant in the house is capable of warding off negativity and evil spirits. Hence, most Hindus grow this plant in front of, inside or near their home. Those who have enough space in front of their house often construct special cuboid structures known as the Tulsi Vrindavan, in order to let their Tulsi grow densely. This structure is usually placed right in the center of the courtyard of their house.
Incidentally, this plant is cultivated for both religious and medicinal purposes. Regular consumption of the Tulsi leaf is considered to be very good for the throat and it is also known for its essential oil. It is believed to have many other health benefits as well.
Each and every part of the Tulsi plant is considered to be sacred. Even the soil around it is revered as being holy. The Padma Purana states that a person who is cremated with Tulsi twigs in his funeral pyre immediately gains moksha (liberation) and finds a place in Vishnu's Vaikuntha. That is why people often offer a little water mixed with Tulsi leaves to the dying; to help their souls ascend more easily and reach the Lotus Feet of the Supreme.
The person who cares for the Tulsi and waters it daily is believed to gain moksha (liberation) effortlessly. He or she also begets the grace of Vishnu, even if they did not otherwise worship Vishnu. Traditionally, the responsibility of taking care of the plant is given entirely to the woman of the household, as Tulsi is regarded as a "women's deity" and a "symbol of motherhood and wifehood". The Tulsi is usually planted in a separate platform called the Tulsi Manch, which is usually made of clay.
The Padma Purana details the relationship between Tulsi and Vishnu, culminating in holy matrimony. When Vrinda realized that she had lost her chastity to Vishnu, she cursed him that he would turn black in color and would be separated from his wife, Lakshmi. This curse was later fulfilled, when Vishnu transformed into the black Shaligrama stone (which is actually a fossil).
In his Rama avatara, he got separated from his beloved wife, Sita, who was kidnapped by Sri Lanka's demon king, Ravana. Vrinda then drowned in the ocean and Vishnu himself transferred her soul into a plant, which was, from then on, called Tulsi. As per Vishnu's promise to marry Vrinda in her next birth, he married her in his form of the Shaligrama stone, on the Prabodhini Ekadashi day.
A Vaishnava legend connects Tulsi with the Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Ocean) incident. The cosmic ocean was once churned by the Devas and Asura. Towards the end of the churning process, several entities came out of the ocean.
Dhanwantari, the Divine Doctor, was one of them. He held the Amrita (the Nectar of Immortality) in his hands. When the Asuras tried to steal it, Vishnu took the form of Mohini and got it back for the Gods to consume. After that, Vishnu shed tears of happiness, which fell into the Amrita and formed the Tulsi.
However there is another plant which is perhaps not that widely mentioned, but is equally significant to the above mentioned ones. It is the commonly found mango tree; more specifically its leaves. Significance Of Mango Leaves -
Mango leaves are placed on the kalash or water pot before ceremonies, along with a single coconut. The leaves signify the limbs of the Gods while the coconut represents the head. Alternatively, the mango leaves are also believed to be a symbol of Goddess Lakshmi.
Mangoes are also associated the Gods Murugan and Ganesh, the sons of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati. Both of them are especially fond of mangoes and one legend states that Lord Murugan had nce advised his devotees t tie mango leaves as a sign of prosperity and fertility.
Mango leaves are hung from the doors and windows of Hindu buildings. This is because they keep out negative spiritual energy and have the effect of inspiring good karma.
Several Hindu scriptures like the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas mentions mango as a symbol of fertility. Incidentally Kamadeva or the God of love is also associated with mango leaves.
Mango leaves are also used at large religious gatherings where there are large crowds of people. The reason for this scientific besides being spiritual. This is because they have to ability to encourage the free-flow of Oxygen, and also the ability to absorb excess Carbon Dioxide.
Happy mother's day
Authored by Anadi Sahoo
