Interesting...... *Kalpavriksha, the mythological wish-giving tree......OR in other words a tree that well could be USEFUL in all aspects to the human being. If it is merely a wish fulfilling tree.... any tree with "religious connotations" would fit the bill. As you mentioned the four trees. Another two i would like to mention are The Peepal tree and the Neem tree that are worshiped across the country in various varying degrees and held auspicious.
But to my mind a tree that is useful in all aspects like the Coconut tree or The Banana tree (plant) fits the bill because all the parts of the tree have been used by mankind in India since ages. The fruit is obviously eaten with relish, the flowers are made into curry, the leaves for making mats, eating plates etc, trunks for canoes as in the coconut and rafts as in bannana....But then these two tree do have the BIGNESS or the VASTNESS of the Banayan or the Peepal or the Kadam etc. What then is the Kalprivksha tree??? Qualified Botanists and Knowledgeable tree lovers you may have your say on that MYSTERIOUS Kalpavriksha. Or is it only a theory ENLARGED by our ancestors over thousands of years or is it some kind of Religious GROVES put together in ancient times that had some collection of trees and plants that served as MEDICINES for some common irritating health problems. Cheers * 2008/10/5 J.M. Garg <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > 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. >> >> For learning about our trees & plants, please visit/ join Google e-group >> (Indiantreepix) http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en >> >> > > > -- N.Shiva Kumar. NOIDA - 201 301. 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