... one of googled result is this page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parijaat_tree,_Kintur Not sure whether it agrees with the tree on the Indian stamp.
Regards. On Wed, Mar 3, 2010 at 10:47 PM, tanay bose <[email protected]> wrote: > Dear Sibdas da, > Palmately compound leaf with five leaflet and also it's a tree , this can > be seen from the stamp. I am hoping it to be *Aesculus flava.* Leaving > this name nothing more is coming to my mind at this moment. > Regards, > Tanay > On Wed, Mar 3, 2010 at 10:22 PM, sibdas ghosh <[email protected]>wrote: > >> >> >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >> From: Pradyot Bhanja <[email protected]> >> Date: 3 March 2010 21:12 >> Subject: PARIJAT TREE >> To: Sibdas Ghosh <[email protected]> >> >> >> শিব Forwarding a mail I received for the knowledge of our members. What >> is this plant shown in the postal stamp labeled as Parijat? >> PARIJAT TREE >> *Stamp Issue Date* *:* 08/03/1997 >> *Postage Stamp Denomination* *:* 5.00 & 6.00 >> *Postal Stamp Serial Number* *:* 1705 >> *Postal Stamp Name* *:* PARIJAT TREE (SE-TENANT) >> *Stamp Currency* *:* P >> *Stamp Type* *:* COMMEMORATIVE >> *Stamp Language* *: *English >> ------------------------------ >> Plants of India: Parijata >> >> Parijata-The Wish-Granting Tree >> by Christopher McMahon >> >> * *Part 1: Collecting Parijat* >> >> [নিচের* এইটা *শিউলী* সম্বন্ধেই লেখা হয়েছে সে বিষয়ে কোনও সন্দেহের অবকাশ >> নেই ! ~ প্রদ্যোত।] >> >> This January(1998) we(Ramakant Harlalka and I) were on our morning walk in >> the Matunga section of Mumbai. Along a busy thoroughfare we spotted a >> beautiful parijat tree(Nycanthes arbortrisis) growing near an apartment >> complex. As it was the sunrise hour, the delicate flowers were gently >> falling to the ground and covering the pavement with elegant beauty. We >> carefully collected a few of them and placing them in my palm I inhaled a >> lovely bouquet that reminded one of the essense of orange flowers and >> jasmine. It had a slightly sharper penetrating note but the overall effect >> was soft and sweet. We decided to collect a small basket of them so we could >> photograph them in the small studio we had set-up in the flat I was staying. >> As we picked up one ethereal flower after another, I felt as if I was >> joining hands with generation after generations of Indians who have >> collected them for offering at home alters or in the numerous temples that >> are to be found in countryside, town and city. In ancient Hindu literature >> the parijatak tree appears as one of the first gifts to humankind hence its >> sacred status. It was a simple, pleasurable activity that did not harm the >> tree and gave us a lot of joy because we could come close to the plant and >> appreciate a little more what a special role it played in the lives of the >> Indian people. >> >> The tree we were collecting flowers from was located on a main street and >> even at that early hour the constant flow of buses, trucks, scooters, and >> cars with their accompanying noise had commenced. The enviroment in which >> the tree was living was far from ideal both from the viewpoint of air and >> sound pollution and the neglected soil in which it was growing yet it gave >> of its fragrant essence for one and all to enjoy. Its concern was not for >> caste, color or creed but only to serve the purpose for which it had been >> created. Its scattered fragrant flower, for the most part, were neglected >> and trod underfoot as the people rushed to their various jobs, unaware of >> the refined beauty and aroma within easy reach of their hands. I found in >> its example a very good lesson for my own life in that a person should >> always strive to do good no matter how adverse the outer circumstances may >> be. It is not an easy lesson to learn but one well worth considering as >> through it nobility of character is built and inner peace is attained. >> >> The parijatak tree is known in Hindi as harsinghar and Bengali as shifali. >> It bears the botanical name of Nycathus arbortristis. It is a hardy large >> shrub or small tree sometimes reaching a height of 30 feet. Its bark is >> green is grey to greenish-white in color and a bit rough in texture. It has >> a thick branching structure with green oval-shaped leaves. Its 4 to 8 flower >> petals are arranged about a vibrant orange tube in a pinwheel pattern. These >> highly fragrant flowers open at night perfuming the surrounding area with an >> intensely sweet floral aroma. The morning following the night bloom, the >> flowers fall to the earth carpeting it with their fragile beauty. In the >> ancient times sages and seers noted each intesting quality of individual >> plants and in order to teach the people to closely observe their life cycles >> they created beautiful stories >> >> ------------------------------ >> http://www.whitelotusaromatics.com/fragrant/parijat2.html >> ------------------------------ >> >> Plants of India: Parijata >> >> Parijata-The Wish-Granting Tree >> by Christopher McMahon >> >> *Part 2: Stories of Parijata* >> >> With regards to the parijatak tree this story is often narrated in certain >> communities. >> >> Once a royal princess fell in love with the sun god-Surya Dev. She was >> enamored of his brilliance and beauty as he daily passed through the sky >> from east to west in his fiery chariot. Her devotion attracted his attention >> and for a while he favored her with his attention but after awhile he was >> distracted with other interests and she was deserted. In despair she killed >> herself and from her cremated ashes the parijatak tree arose. Since she was >> rejected by Surya Dev, the flowers of the tree only bloom at night. Then >> before the sun rises the flowers fall so its rays will not strike her. Based >> on this story the tree was given the species name ëarbortristisí which means >> ëtree of sorrowí. >> >> Another story surrounding the treesí origin is found in several ancient >> Indian scriptures called the Puranas. It is said that when the celestial >> beings, at the behest of Hari-the Preserver of the Universe, churned the >> cosmic ocean to obtain certain boons that would help alleviate suffering and >> protect the powers of good from the powers of evil one of the parijatak tree >> appeared as one of the divine treasures. Its perfume was said to permeate >> the entire universe. Because the tree holds such a elevated place in Indiaís >> sacred lore, the tree is revered by devote Hindus. The story, on one level, >> clearly illustrates that trees, flowers and fragrance represent some of the >> finest boons for humankind. >> >> After the parijatak tree emerged from the ocean of existence it taken to >> the heaven worlds and planted in the pleasure garden of Indra- the lord >> of the gods. One day a great sage of ancient times named Narad Muni visited >> this garden in his meditations visited this garden and saw this lovely tree >> emitting its divine perfume. Using his yogic powers he gathered up some of >> these ethereal blossoms and brought them back to the physical plane and gave >> them to Rukmini, the favorite wife of the renowned avatar of Vishnu, Lord >> Krishna, who was at that time dwelling in Dwaraka in north India. The >> flowers were so lovely and the fragrance so delicate that Satyabhama another >> wife of Lord Krishna became desirous of possessing that celestial tree and >> having it planted in her own garden. She was jealous of the attention >> Krishna was showing to Rukmini and wanted him to give more time to her. She >> implored him to obtain the tree for her. To satisfy her desire he entered >> into a state of deep meditation and in that state plucked up the tree from >> the garden. Before leaving that place he was accosted by the keepers of the >> garden and was told he would incur the wrath of Indra as the tree belonged >> to his wife Sachi. But Satyabhama would not be put off by any obstacle and >> said that the tree was the common property of all and had as much place on >> earth as it had in the heavens. As a result Krishna waged a great war with >> Indra and his celestial army. In the end Krishnaís strength prevailed and >> Indra was forced to retreat. At that time Satyabhama taunted him as being a >> coward but decided to give back his celestial tree. Krishna also consented >> to return the tree to its celestial abode. But Indra said that there was no >> shame in being defeated by the avatar of Vishnu and that the tree should be >> taken to earth and planted in Dwarka where its fragrance could be enjoined >> by all the people of the earth. Thus the first parijatak tree was planted >> and its divine fragrance was said to spread for three furlongs. Its aroma >> was charged with so much power that it would help people enhaling it to >> remember events of their past lives. In this instance also we can see that >> the sages were explaining to the people that fragrance was a valuable means >> of accessing stored memories. In the East memory has a much more >> comprehensive meaning than in the West as it can include past lives as it is >> believed that the soul takes countless births on its journey to perfection >> but the same basic principal is explained in this story as is encountered in >> western literature regarding how fragrance stimulates memories of past >> events in ones life. >> >> The above mentioned stories come down to us out of Indiaís rich cultural >> and spiritual heritage and are charged with tremendous meaning. The key to >> understanding can only be obtained by deep thought and contemplation and >> even this process may not totally unlock their secret is much is lost in >> translation or in change in the story over a period of time. Still, on a >> very basic level we can say that sages were trying to create in the mindís >> of the people a powerful remembrance of the plants that surrounded them so >> that they would learn to observe them minutely and learn to love and >> appreciate them. If a person could be encouraged to do this then they would >> definitely learn that every created object had numerous qualities that could >> prove beneficial in the form of foods, medicines, condiments, construction >> materials, cosmetics, and the like. Knowing this a simple hearted person >> would want to nourish, protect and propogate such plants so that their would >> be a constant supply of its beneficial products for one and all to use. It >> is in this way that a refined social consciousness was developed that did >> not depend on any external agencies but rather on the individuals efforts to >> keep the environment healthy and intact. >> ------------------------------ >> Parijata-The Wish-Granting Tree >> by Christopher McMahon >> >> *Part 3: Cultural Significance of Parijata* >> >> The parijatak tree is native to India and in its natural habitat is found >> growing up to an altitude of 1,500 meters. It adapts well to dry slopes and >> rocky ground. Because of its fragrant flowers it is cultivated in gardens >> throughout the country. Even when neglected it still produces fragrant >> flowers in abundance. Its greatest enemy is standing water which causes the >> roots to rot and die. If a little care is given to the plant in the form of >> periodic deep waterings, well rotted compost, and judicious pruning it can >> take on the form of a trully elegant specimen. Its flowering season is quite >> long, extending from August to December in most regions. It is an excellent >> selection for planting in semi-shady situations. >> >> Aside from its esteemed position in the home garden parijatak has >> sometimes been planted in the precincts of temples as its fragrance creates >> a devotional atmosphere that aids in the remembrance of the sublime power >> embodied by the particular diety worshipped in that place. The flowers are >> particularly offered to Lord Ganesh, Satyanaryana, Samba and Swarna Gowri. >> In the Indian system of belief these dieties are embodiments of particular >> qualities or virtues which assist in the aspirants spiritual quest and so >> the offering of particlar flowers is highly significant. As with many of the >> ancient traditions the reasons for offering a flower with a particular >> shape, color and fragrance have been lost or is in the hands of a rare few >> individuals but one thing we now know is that specific odors can stimulate >> certain centers in the brain to act in a particular way. It is not an exact >> science as it can vary from individual from individual and from culture to >> culture. But in India the science of fragrance was highly evolved and could >> serve to evoke a particular response on a large group of people who commonly >> shared in the worship of a particular diety. That particular fragrance could >> bring the minds of those people a shared devotional aspiration. In that >> atmosphere fragrance along with several other rites and rituals could >> produce a state of profound concentration that would allow an openess to >> occur that would refresh a persons heart and mind and bring them into unity >> with the community in which they lived and with the mystery of life in which >> everyone was a participant. It is also possible that the sages knew that the >> perfume of a particular flower when inhaled could help stimulate the immune >> system against certain disease organisms prevailing at the season of the >> year in which it was blooming. We now know that natural fragrances do have >> some anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties so it is not impossible that >> ancient sages discovered these properties, not with technical instruments >> which they did not posses, but through the powers of keen observation which >> they had in abundance. >> >> In India the parijat tree is planted in the precincts of temples because >> of the sublime atmosphere created by the aroma of its flowers. I know the >> fragrance of parijatak is dear to my wife, Suzanne and I, as we use fo go >> for a walk about a small temple in the suburbs of Bombay every evening >> during the month of January. A number of parijatak trees were planted in the >> shrines vicinity as we would inhale the delicious odor of the last flowers >> of the season as we slowly strolled about the complex. The refreshing odor >> helped sustain the beautiful time we had just spent listening create a mood >> of peace and relaxation that allowed us to quietly digest the words of a >> great sage whose discourse we had just listened too. To this day the memory >> of that time is quickly awakened when we smell the fragrance of parijat. The >> flower itself conveys a very special message to those who know how to read >> its language. If one closely observes its delicate beauty one will observe >> that it has a vibrant orange center. This color is a symbol of fire in the >> Hindu tradition. Fire, in turn, is considered that power which purifies a >> persons heart and mind so that all desires for the world are consumed. >> leaving only a pure consciousness which directly communes with the Hidden >> Power within that has been and is called by many names. The white petals >> which surround the orange center symbolic of that pure consciousness. In the >> ancient times Buddhist monks and Hindu ascetics dyed their robes a rich >> fiery color to show that they had renounced the world. This dye was produced >> from the very same orange centers of the parijat. When the flowers would >> fall to the ground, people would collect them and separte the orange tube >> from the white petals and dry them. Once they were dried they could be used >> for making this saffron-colored dye. At one time an attempt was made to >> commercialize this dye as it gave a fine color to cotton and silk but due to >> the labor intensive nature of its collection and the fact that a good means >> of fixing it were not obtained the concept was abandoned. Perhaps in the >> future the study of this dye will be resumed and a cottage industry >> developed where its beautiful color could be extracted. >> >> The Muslim people, too, have an affection for the flower and it is said >> that it is planted in their grave yards. In the morning the ethereal flowers >> carpet the tombs with a natural aromatic floral display. The story that this >> tells is simple and beautiful. In nature, the parijat tree grows to a mature >> specimen which produces innummerable flowers. These flowers grow to maturity >> and for a brief time give off their fragrance for one and all to enjoy. When >> the perfume is exhausted, they fall to the earth, wither, and die having >> fulfilled the mission of their life. Our lives, in the ideal sense, should >> follow their example. We, as part of the human family, are like the flowers >> of the mother plant. In the beginning our innate beauty is hidden as it can >> only be developed through the experiences of life both good and bad. Through >> the ups and downs of life, if we are fortunate, we come to the point where >> out of the heart comes a sweet perfume of love and compassion for one and >> all. Having given of that perfume in a quiet, unassuming way, the time comes >> when the bodies resources are exhausted and we depart from this plane of >> existences and our soul essence reunites with the invisible essence from >> which we come. >> >> >> >> -- >> sibdas ghosh >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "efloraofindia" group. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> [email protected]<indiantreepix%[email protected]> >> . >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/indiantreepix?hl=en. >> > > > > -- > Tanay Bose > +91(033) 25550676 (Resi) > 9830439691(Mobile) > 9674221362 (Mobile) > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "efloraofindia" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]<indiantreepix%[email protected]> > . > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/indiantreepix?hl=en. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "efloraofindia" group. 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