Hi, Anand ji, It's really interesting. On Sat, Oct 4, 2008 at 10:39 PM, Anand Kumar Bhatt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote:
> Sometime back there was some discussion on Kalpavriksha, the mythological > wish-giving tree. I had heard about a book named Plant Myths and > traditions in india by Ms Shakti Sinha. Luckily somebody told me the name of > the publisher and I could procure a copy. It is an interesting collection of > mythology and tribal folklore associated with so many trees. Kalpavriksha > has been variously associated with several trees according to various > puranas, and mythological stories. These trees are : > > 1. Parijata or Harshingar (Nyctannnthes arbor-tristis) > 2. Nyagarodha or Bargad….Banyan (Ficus Benghalensis) > 3. Kadamba (Neolamarckia cadamba). Or is it Kaim (Mitragyna parviflora) > which is claimed by many to be the real Krishna Kadamba > 4. Mandara …Indian Coral tree (Erythrina variegata) > > > > Both Parijata and Mandara came out of the churning of Ocean of Milk > (Kshirsagar) with Sumeru mountain as the churner, snake Vasuki as the rope, > and Vishnu as the pivot for the churner in his Kachchap (turtle) avatar. The > objective of the churn was to procure amrita, the drink of immorality. > > > > Parijata is the heavenly tree which symbolizes mind. One's desire is > fulfilled if asked for sitting in its shade according to the mythology. > > > > Mandara also came out of the churning. Both were planted in Nandan Kanan, > the garden of Indra. Parijata was taken away by Krishna for his wife > Satyabhama. Later Mandara was desired by Rukmini and Krishna took that away > as well. Mandara tree is also considered holy because of the trifoliate > leaves signifying the trinity of gods, that is Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. > Bilvaptra or Belpatra is also arranged thus, and so is Butea monosperma > (Palash). A famous saying in Hindi is 'dhaak ke teen paat'. However, mandara > and bilvapatra are offered to Shiva only. And so far as palash is concerned, > I do not find any mythology associaated with it, except that its wood can be > used to make vessels tol store pujan articles and is also used as > sacrificial fuel. Palash when in bloom is a lovely sight, and as it flowers > during the time of Holi, the festival of colours, water boiled and cooled > with palash flowers is used to throw colour at people. > > > > Ficus Benghaalensis or Nyagrodhais also known as desire fulfilling tree, > and is supposed to give to the worshipper food and drink, clothes and > ornaments, children and hold your breath, een beautiful maidens as well. > Wish I had known earlier! > > According to Bhagvad Purana kadamba is Kalpavriksha. Kadamba is association > of awine which was used to entertain Balram, the incarnation of Sheshnaag. > However, Kadamba does not exude any juice, but its floeers are distilled to > make a spirit. Kadambari is another name for wine. The trinity of exciting > habits kadamb, kamini, kanchan, or sura, sundari, sangram (wine, woman and > war) is the material for many a mythological story. > > Parijata, Palash and Mandara are not preferred as garden plants mainly > because the trees are nothing much to look at. Banyan is a fine tree but can > be used only in large parks. Kadamba of course is a graceful tree, but it > likes humid and cool weather. Although now it has ben acclimatised all over > the country. > Sorry if it was boring and didactic. > akbhatt > > > > > > > > > -- > Anand Kumar Bhatt > A-59, B.S.F.Colony, Airport Road > Gwalior. 474 005. > > > > -- With regards, J.M.Garg "We often ignore the beauty around us" Creating Awareness about Indian Flora & Fauna: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Jmgarg1 For learning about our trees & plants, please visit/ join Google e-group (Indiantreepix) http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "indiantreepix" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
