Compiled by London Swaminathan
Date: 11 June 2017
Time uploaded in London- 13-17
Post No. 3992
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Some interesting stories about Neem trees (Margosa tree, Veppa Maram in Tamil) were compiled by Rev Osborn Martin in his book the ‘Gods of India’, published in 1914.
“There is a special sect of Sun Worshippers called the NIIbaarak. They are Vaishnavas and, as their name implies, they worship the ‘Sun in the Neem Tree’.
Botanical name of neem tree: Azadirachta indica; Family- Meliaceae
The story runs that their founder was a Bairagi ( a wandering ascetic) to dine with him. He prepared the dinner, but unfortunately delayed to call his guest until the sun had well nigh set. Now the holy man was forbidden by the rules of his order to eat except during the day time, and was afraid he would be compelled to refuse the dinner; but at the solicitation of his host, Surya Narayan (Suuraj Naaraayan), the Sun God, descended on the Neem trees under which the feast was spread and continued beaming upon them till the feast was over”
(This is an extract taken from Popular Religion and Folk lore by Crooke).
“The neem tree in connection with the godlings of disease who are supposed to reside in it. In particular, it is occupied by Sitala (Siitalaa), the small-pox deity, and her six sisters. Hence during the rainy weather when epidemics prevail women bathe, dress themselves in clean clothes, and offer rice, sandalwood, flowers, and sometimes a burnt offering with incense at the foot of this tree. The neem is also connected with snake worship, as its leaves repel snakes.
The leaves are used through out India for its curative and medicinal purposes. Wounds and sore are bound up in Neem leaves, and by mourners they ae used as a means of avoiding death pollution, or as a mode of driving off the evil spirit which accompanies the mourners from the cremation ground. After the cremation of a dead body, people in the funeral procession chew the Neem leaves and some water is sprinkled over them with a branch of the tree.
On the Hindu New Year’s Day it is considered essential for every Hindu to worship the Neem tree., and to eat its leaves mixed with pepper and sugar, that he may not suffer from sickness or disease during the year. In practice, very few worship the tree, but its leaves are generally eaten by most of the.
At child birth a branch of a neem tree is often set at the door of the chamber.
Nearly every Hindu villager cleaned his teeth with a twig of a Neem tree, till plastic tooth brushes were sold.
Test of Truth Speaking
It is used in the test of truth speaking and a few Hindus would date to speak a falsehood whilst under the shade of the tree. Sangam Tamil literature (Kalitokai, Palai Kali verse 37) says that if someone speaks falsehood under a tree, it would wilt and wither away.
Among some tribes, the Banjaras for instance, a jealous husband throws a branch of the Neem tree on the ground and says to his wife, “ If you are a true woman, lift that neem branch”.
My old articles on the same subject:
https://tamilandvedas.com/tag/neem-tree/
The sadhu instructed one of his disciples to bring a good quantity of neemleaves. These leaves are very bitter. He was asked to grind them and make Laddus …
Posted on 16 October 2015
https://tamilandvedas.com/tag/bodhi-tree/
Tamils have been using Neem (Veppa Maram in Tamil வேப்ப மரம்) for ages to stop the virus of small pox. If one takes it from young age in the prescribed …
Posted on 3 October 2014
Banyan Tree and Sanatkumaras | Tamil and Vedas
https://tamilandvedas.com/tag/banyan-tree-and-sanatkumaras/
Tamils have been using Neem (Veppa Maram in Tamil வேப்ப மரம்) for ages to stop the virus of small pox. If one takes it from young age in the prescribed …
Posted 25 November 2102
Indian Wonder – The Banyan Tree – South Indian Society
http://www.sisnambalava.org.uk/…/indian-wonder-the-banyan-tree-20130318043049.aspx
18 Mar 2013 – Reand and enjoy this article about “Banyan Tree” from Mr. Santhanam Swaminathan.
Tamarind Tree | Tamil and Vedas
https://tamilandvedas.com/tag/tamarind-tree/
Tamils have been using Neem (Veppa Maram in Tamil வேப்ப மரம்) for ages to stop the virus of small pox. If one takes it from young age in the prescribed …
Posted on 26 March 2016
Magic of Trees! | Tamil and Vedas
https://tamilandvedas.com/2012/11/25/magic-of-trees/
25 Nov 2012 – Magic of Trees! Picture shows Newton under Apple Tree. Hindu Saints composed Upanishads under the Himalayan Trees. Buddha attained …
Strange LUTA Disease in Kashmir! (Post No.3890); posted on 8 May 2017
–Subham–
Tamil and Vedas 