Post No. 12,146
Date uploaded in London – – 17 June , 2023
Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com
Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.
this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.
tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com
https://www.pustaka.co.in/home/author/london-swaminathan
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Part 1 was posted yesterday.
Kush grass
Eragrotis cynosuroides
It is considered sacred . it is used as a mat to the pitris/departed souls. The eldest son of Rama was named Kush aster this grass.i In the Chaturmass Mahatmya this grass is associated with planet Ketu. This grass is used in ceremonies, and in sharaddhas/ funeral rites .
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Kushmand
Cucurbita maxima or pepo
This fruit represents buffalo demon, Mahisasura , sacrificed on the Dasara day. It is also considered a great merit/ punya to hollow this fruit, fill it up with gold and jewels and to present it to a brahmin priest as a gupta dhan or secret gift. Vrat Kaumudi book calls this creeper a goddess and recommends its worship.
In the Padma purana, saint Narada recommended to King Chandrasen for worship .
King Chandrasen was the chief of the Kaayastha Prabhus, a twice born caste of Bombay, Baroda and Central India.
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Naaral , coconut tree
Cocos nucifera
It is considered an auspicious offering to the gods. It is worshipped as Lakshmi . The tree is called Kalpa Vriksha , wish fulfilling tree . All the parts of the tree are used. It is sold in all the temple towns for offering to god. It is placed on top of a metal pot with mango leaves and offered to god, ascetics and other leaders as Poorna (Puurna) Kumbha to honour them. Fishermen community in the West Coast of India offer to Vedic God Varuna every year.
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Neem
Melia azadirachta
Its leaves are eaten on the new year day Gudi paadva, Ugadi days. Tamil Hindus use it in all village goddess Maariamman temples. It is considered an antidote to smallpox and infectious diseases. Its medicinal properties are well known. The oil of the neem is a well known remedy for leprosy and other skin diseases. During epidemic of small pox, festoons of the fresh leaves of this tree are hung on the doors of Hindus’ houses.
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Nivadung
Euphorbium pentandra
Panchdhaari
It is worshipped as goddess Manasa in Bengal. During Divali , boys of the Patheri Prabhu caste play with this plant making lamps out of it.
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Padma
Lotus
It has got scores of names in Sanskrit. Hindu girls’ names are mostly flower names, particularly lotus names. Lakshmi and all Hindu goddesses are associated with this flower. Also national flower of India.
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Pan
Piper betel
Betel is derived from Tamil word Vetrilai . Hindus chew it with betel-nuts and spices. It is used in all Hindu ceremonies in the south. It is offered to gods. Of late, betel leaves garlands are offered to lord Anjaneya in all Hanuman temples . it is good for digestion. It is also offered paan / beedaa.
To be continued…………………………
tags – plants, hinduism, coconuts, betel leaves, Maraiamman
Tamil and Vedas 
