Ashoka tree (Saraca asoca)
Did you know that there is a plethora of references to the Ashoka tree or Sorrow less tree, in the spiritual literature of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism, and also in Indian poetic imagery of Kalidasa, encompassing the entire Indian subcontinent?
Ashoka tree, with botanical name Saraca asoca, belonging to the Detarioideae subfamily of the legume family Fabaceae, sacred to Hindus, Buddhists and Jains, which is sated as a "Guard Against Grief", and has been extolled in the poetic imageries of Kalidasa's plays, is a decorative plant and its flowers are used for worship in temples. Its wood is used in construction industry. The original plant specimen from which Carl Linnaeus described the species came from Java, but the name S. indica (now conssiered as false Ashoka) has been generally incorrectly applied to S. asoca since 1869. It can be distinguished from S. asoca by its non-clasping bracteoles, a lower number of ovules, slightly smaller pods, and has a more eastern geographic distribution, particularly in the Indian subcontinent in the context of spirituality with plethora of events linked of the three oldest religions of the world - Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. It is also a tree which was made widely popular in 400 AD by India's famous playwright Kalidasa in his play Malavikagnrimitra for its love story linked to the annual spring time Ashoka tree rite which tells of the love of King Agnimitra for young Malavika. This tale has been sighted in many of his other plays too. This tree, often mentioned in ancient amorous poetry, has 16 different names in Sanskrit referring to its different parts. It has many folklorical, religious and literary associations in the Indian subcontinent.
Ashoka tree, an evergreen tree, is a rain forest tree that is found in the Deccan Plateau and Western Ghats of the Indian subcontinent. It bears orange and yellow flowers in bunches that turn red before they fall. The Ashoka tree is best cultivated in the months of May and June and they are propagated best by stem cutting. It is difficult to propagate Ashoka trees with seeds on a large scale. It produces large bunch of sweet smelling flowers throughout the year; profuse flowering occurs from February to May. The flowers look like the flowers of Ixora. Each bunch consists of a lot of small flowers that are shaped like long-tubes which open out into four oval lobes. The flowers display a lot of different colors. Young flowers are yellow that later acquire hues of orange and then ultimately become crimson with the passage of time. The colorful stamens of Ashoka flowers form a ring of white and crimson shades and give a hairy appearance to the flowers.
Saraca asoca's various parts are widely used for different medicinal purposes as it contains tannins, glycoside, essential oils and calcium. It also contains carbonic compounds of carbon and iron while the bark of the tree contains ketosterol. As a high valued medicinal tree in India Ayurveda recommends its bark for treating menstrual problems in women including Dysmenorrhea, abdominal pain and uterine spasms, as a uterine tonic. The Ashoka tree roots and seeds of Ashoka treat skin conditions including acne, psoriasis and dermatitis. It is listed in the red data list of International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural resources (IUCN) as vulnerable species.
In Hinduism:
In Hindu religious belief, it was believed that women in a mysterious manner transferred their fertility to the Ashoka tree and, in turn, their own fertility might be enhanced through contact with the " pregnant " tree . The most popular ancient legend concerned the Ashoka tree which blossomed only through the touch of a woman's feet. It is said that Bharhut Chulaloka devata stands beneath such an Ashoka tree, which has elongated leaves and silky clusters of orange blossoms.
Ashoka tree is considered sacred for Kamadeva (the God of love). and one of his five flower quivers was made of the flower of Ashoka tree. Old Indian poetic imagery has it that the tree flowers only when it hears the footfall of a chaste woman.
The association of the flowering of the Ashoka tree with the touch of woman's foot became so well established that it was incorporated into a prayer in the Soundarya Lahiri, a famous poetic composition attributed to Adi Shanakara, on Devi, the great goddess. The verse also explains that Shiva was inordinately jealous even of the Ashoka tree (also known as (Kankeli) tree in the forest that craved for touch of her feet; in Verse 85 of the text which reads:
IAST: "namovākaṁ brūmo nayanaramaṇīyāya padayoḥ
tavāsmai dvandvāyā sphuṭarūcirasālaktakavate |
asūyatyatyantaṁ yadabhihananāya spṛhayate
paśūnāmīśānaḥ pramadavanakaṅkelitarave ||”
English Translation: "I pray aloud (with verses, hymns and nāmas, as they are generally recited aloud) to Your beautiful pair of feet, which shine with henna applied around Your feet. The Ashoka tree in Your joyous garden is being kicked by You. On seeing this, Your Consort Śhiva becomes jealous of this Ashoka tree.”
The tree is also called Kalpavriskha, the wish fulfilling tree, a symbol of love, a sarrowless tree and guardian of female fertility. This quality is attributed to Sita of Ramayana fame who as the consort of Rama, was held captive by the mighty King Ravana , and spent time under the Ashoka tree. It is found in the Panchavati forests of the Dandakaranya forests, in the Ramayana epic where Rama, Sita and Lakshmana lived during their 13 years exile. It is mentioned in the Ramayana in reference to the Ashoka Vatika (garden of ashoka trees) where Hanuman first meets Sita. It is also mentioned as decorative plant in Kaikeyi's palace.
According to the treatise titled Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira, embankments should be planted with mixed species of trees but should include the Ashoka tree. Kalidasa mentions in his poem that a game played in spring was called Ashoka Pushpa Prachayika. The Padma Purana says that planting the Ashoka tree leads to the destruction of all sarrow. In Mastya Purana it is said that this tree was favoite of Parvati, Shiva's consort. And also states that it would be auspicous to plant an Ashoka tree in the vicinity of the house., and when questioned by some one Parvati seems to have said "As constructing a tank is equal in merit to ten wells, planting an Ashoka tree is equal in merit to ten sons."
In Brahmavarta Purana it is said that Ashoka tree always brings peace and does well. According to Bhavishya Purana, the Ashoka tree is related Mahadeva (Shiva). Another legend is about Parvati asking Shiva on the importance of the Ashoka tree. Shiva replied that it could fulfil wishes. The goddess tested the tree by asking for a girl and immediately a beautiful girl appeared whom she named as Ashoka Sundari.
Ashoka tree is usually planted in the southeast corner of a temple and is worshipped on the thirteenth day of the month of Chaitra (March/April). A popular Hindu festival is called Ashoka Shashti held on the sixth day of the waxing moon and again on the sixth day of the waning moon held in the month of Chaitra.
Another belief is that a woman eating eight buds of the Ashoka flower and chanting a mantra would be relieved of all pain and sorrow. In the month of Phalguna on the 15th day similar ritual is observed by women who also eat the flower buds of this tree on that day.
They are very popular in the Mathura school of sculpture as it is depicted surrounded by Vriskha devatas or tree deities who were believed to dance around the trees. They are worshipped by childless women, for they represent fertility. It is said to bear fruit after a pregnant woman sprays it with water from her mouth.
In Buddhism:
According to the Chinese travellers Fa-Hsien and Hiuen Tsang, Gautama Buddha, as Siddhartha, was born under an Ashoka tree. It is said that Mayadevi, his mother, went to Lumbini garden where she gave birth to Buddha holding on to the branch of an Ashoka tree. Budddhists also claim that Vriksha devi resides in this Ashoka tree Buddhist Avadanta Shakatka says that on hearing of the death of Buddha, one Vrikhsdevi who used to reside in an Ashok tree started weeping and her d tear drops fell on the leaves of the tree.
This tree is often associated with Yakshi mythological beings and found at the gates of Buddhist and Hindu temples. The Yakshis under the Ashoka tree were also very popular as decorative elements in early Buddhist monuments. It became a standard decorative element of Indian sculpture and was integrated into Indian temple architecture as Salabhanjika, or a young forest maiden, because there is often a confusion between the Ashoka tree and the Sal tree (Shorea robusta) in the ancient literature of the Indian subcontinent. Salabhanjika is often depicted in early art kicking the trunk of an Ashoka tree to make the tree flower profusely.
Monk Panthaka one of the 16 arhats of Buddhism donated the Chulaloka devata which stands beneath an Ashoka tree, heavy with clusters of its characteristics blossoms, in a pose resembling that of Chand (moon), a Yakshi.
The Sanchi stupa reliefs of the Ashoka tree have been carved in great depth; the flowers and leaves , along with the branches, were conceived in high relief and turned out more rounded than that of Bharhat temple.
In Jainism
It is said that Mahavira, the 24 thirthankara of Jainism did 12 years of meditation under an Ashoka tree in Vaishali and attained ultimate enlightenment. The Thirthanka Maliinatha and kinnaras are also associated with this tree.
In Sanskrit literature:
The annual spring time Ashoka tree rite is central to Kalidasa's play Malavikagnrimitra, which tells of the love of King Agnimitra for young Malavika. Having hurt her leg in a fall from a swing, the queen had instructed Malavika to take her place in the ceremony of the Ashoka tree. Accordingly Malavika's friend adorned her feet with red colour and placed the queen's anklets on her feet saying: "Friend, arise! Perform the command of the queen! May the Ashoka tree bloom!" When her gentle kick fails to produce immediate results, Malavika comments: "The Ashoka tree is perverse, for it accepts my command to bloom, yet it shows no flowers. I hope our ceremony is for nothing." Behind the scene the love-struck king, watching the ceremony addresses the tree thus:
Ashoka!
"You are blessed by the touch of her foot.
tender as a new lotus shoot,
and anklets that echo as it moves-
If you don't burst forth in bloom
vain will be the pregnant thrusts, that playful lovers share with you".
In several other works also, Kalidasa makes passing reference to this poem related to Ashoka tree. In the poem Kumarasmabhava Kalidasa speaks of the Ashoka tree's response of spring (Vasnatha ritu) along with Kama, and his consort Rati.
The Ashoka tree's fragrant flowers is aptly described as " Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature". The flower of Ashoka tree is the state flower of Indian state of Odisha.
- Narasipur Char
