Link to earlier discussions on Adansonia in this group. http://groups.google.com/group/indiantreepix/browse_thread/thread/e9b3d18349b59b6e/bf404ca7ce64d2f0?hl=en&lnk=gst&q=adansonia#bf404ca7ce64d2f0
Pankaj Oudhia On Thu, Mar 4, 2010 at 7:12 AM, Gurcharan Singh <[email protected]> wrote: > I is nice to confirm from independent souces (Pankaj ji, Dinesh ji and > Vijayasankar ji) that the plant on the stamp is Adansonia digitata and it is > also known as Parijat, I had known about this plant from my brother 40 years > back when he had visited Central India and had told me about the swollen > trunk and plant being called as Kalp variksh (probably because of long life > span as mentioned by Vijayasankar ji). This stamp I suppose is based on > painting, which I have seen in some book I don't recall at present. > I am happy that the group is evolving into a robust forum of information > exchange and our your younger colleagues are playing a big part in this. > > > -- > Dr. Gurcharan Singh > Retired Associate Professor > SGTB Khalsa College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007 > Res: 932 Anand Kunj, Vikas Puri, New Delhi-110018. > Phone: 011-25518297 Mob: 9810359089 > http://people.du.ac.in/~singhg45/ <http://people.du.ac.in/%7Esinghg45/> > > > On Thu, Mar 4, 2010 at 5:33 AM, R. Vijayasankar > <[email protected]>wrote: > >> It is interesting to note that Adansonia, a South African species, has >> been discussed in our ancient Indian literature and considered much sacred. >> Whereas, the other candidate, Nyctanthes, is an indigenous species here. >> >> Referred an article in the net, which reads: "The baobab is one of the >> longest-lived trees in the world. The French botanist Adanson contended that >> some specimens of the baobab were as much as *5000 years old*. In Senegal >> (West Africa), it is reputed to live to an age of 5000 years. >> http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/dec252004/1709.pdf >> >> So, which is the actual Parijatha - Adansonia or Nyctanthes? eager to >> know. By the way, anyone has copy of the book titled "The problem of the >> introduction of Adansonia digitata into India"? and what was the 'problem'? >> http://indianmedicine.eldoc.ub.rug.nl/root/B/7967/?pFullItemRecord=ON >> And the flower painting on the stamp looks slightly different to me. >> http://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Baobab.html >> >> On Wed, Mar 3, 2010 at 11:39 AM, Gurcharan Singh <[email protected]>wrote: >> >>> Tanay ji and Sibdas ji >>> >>> Parijat is commonly used name for Nyctanthes arbortristis as also >>> mentioned in the text above. The tree on the stamp is not this as evident >>> from Palmate leaves. It is also not Aesculus which has much smaller flowers >>> in racemes or panicles. This tree from its trunk and flower, to me appears >>> to be Adansonia digitata. The trunk sometimes becomes hollow and stores >>> water. It is known as Boab, Monkey bread tree, and sometimes Kalp Variksh., >>> although I have not been able to find Parijat as name for this tree. >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Dr. Gurcharan Singh >>> Retired Associate Professor >>> SGTB Khalsa College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007 >>> Res: 932 Anand Kunj, Vikas Puri, New Delhi-110018. >>> Phone: 011-25518297 Mob: 9810359089 >>> http://people.du.ac.in/~singhg45/ <http://people.du.ac.in/%7Esinghg45/> >>> >>> >>> >>> 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. >>> 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. >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> With regards >> >> R. Vijayasankar >> National Center for Natural Products Research, >> The University of Mississippi, >> Oxford, MS-38677, USA. >> > > > > -- > 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. 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.
