Dinesh Ji 's Guess can be true "GOD KNOWS" our postal department stamps are same as there service both are quit troublesome.
Tanay On Wed, Mar 3, 2010 at 11:02 PM, Dinesh Valke <[email protected]>wrote: > ... 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. >> > > -- 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]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/indiantreepix?hl=en.
