Post No. 12,150
Date uploaded in London – – 18 June , 2023
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Paarijaatam
Nyctanthes arbor tristis
This is the fragrant flowered tree which Krishna brought down from heaven and gave his wife Sathyabhama ( bhaamaa).
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Plantain – Banana
Musa paradisiaca
Some people claim that this is the wish granting tree (Kalpaka Vrksha or Kalpa taru) and not coconut. But both the trees are fully used. No part is wasted.
In many pujas, bowers made up of four plantain trees are used as pillars. They are considered auspicious. Tamils use them in all the wedding halls. During Ganesh Chaturthi and Sarasvati Puja, little plants are used to decorate prayer place. There is no Puja without bananas in South India. Women are advised to worship this tree on the fourth of Kartik month . it is also worshipped on third of Shravan.
Fourth- Chaturthi
Third – Trtyai
When placed near the entrances of wedding halls and Puja halls along with its long leaves and laden with fruits, this tree forms an emblem of plenty and prosperity. Tamils eat on the plantain leaves. They are used as plates. They are environmentally friendly and the leaves are eaten by cattle.
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Rui
Calotropis gigantia (Giant Milkweed) –Erukku in Tamil.
It is seen as bushes all over India . The leaves are offered to Mangal Gauri. A wreath of the same is put around Hanuman’s neck in North India. In Tamil Nadu, the garlands of this flower are sold in street corners during Ganesh Chaturthi. Every idol will have the Erukam Pu garland.
In some parts of India , the bride garlands the bridegroom with this Maalaa/garland.
If a man loses two wives and goes for the third wife, then he is married to this plant first and then the plant is destroyed. It means the third wife will live longer and avoid early death.
This plant represents Sun (surya) according to Puranas. The twigs are used as fire wood in Havans (fire ceremonies).
On Ratha Saptami day, Hindus put the leaves on their shoulders with rice and take bath.
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Shami
Prosopis spicigera (Vanni in Tamil)
This is the tree on which the Pandavas deposited their arms, while they were serving King Viraat. It is worshipped on Dsara day and its leaves are said to be dear to Lord Ganesh. In Tamil Nadu, several Ganesh statues are installed under this tree. Madurai Meenkashi temple Vaani Mara (Shami Tree ) Pillaiyar/Ganesh is famous. Dried twigs of Shami Tree are used in Havans, Yagas and Yajnas.
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Til
Sesamum indicum (El in Tamil)
Detailed article is in this blog. (Read ‘Use of water sesamum gives severe blow to Max Muller Gangs’)
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Tulsi
Ocimum sanctum
Most favourite plant of Vishnu and all his avatars. Tulsi leaves are given in all Vishnu temples as Prasad. It is eaten with devotion. It has very good medicinal properties. South Indian Vishnu temples put them in water and distribute it to devotees. The plant purifies the atmosphere and destroys mosquitoes. Tulsi marriage (Wedding of Tulsi Plant) is celebrated in North India. The wooden seeds are used as garland.
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Umbar
Ficus glomerata (aththi in Tamil)
It is the seat of Tri Murti Dattatreya (already discussed in this blog)
The three Ficus plants that are praised in Vishnu Sahsranama as Vishnu are (Vata/Nyagrodha, Pipal/Asvatta and Udumbara/Ficus glomerata . (Please read articles already posted here)
They are all found in Rig Veda, later Indus-Sarasvati Civilization and in all the later and modern temples.
The amazing role of plants in Hinduism shows that they cared for nature, environment and at the same time stressed their importance as medicines. They played a great psychological role as well. All mentally sick patients in Western countries are given lithium tablets which damage their general health; where as in India they are asked to go round temples with trees or groves and they become normal within a year.
Every Tamil temple in South India has a Nandavana (garden) attached to it. Tamils worship specific trees in different temples, known as Sthala Vrksha. Seven holy forests are also popular in Hindu scriptures.
Tulsi and Vilva (Bilva) play a big role in Vishnu and Shiva temples. No culture in the world gives such respect to hundreds of trees. The Kurukshetra Banyan (Vata) tree stands as a monument where from Krishna gave Bhagavad Gita.
Long live trees and forests
—subham—
Tags- trees, plants, role, in Hinduism, worship, banana
Tamil and Vedas 