Pranam
Ancient literature in India is replete with names of various flowers. Most
of these flowers are referred to by names which are not in common use
today. One frequently comes across flower names like Kund कुंद, padam पदम,
kumud कुमुद, neelkamal नीलकमल. Surely, one would like to know what these
flowers are, as we know them today. The purpose of this section is to throw
some light on this.
Ashok अशोक (Saraca indica) -- Sita Ashok
`Ashok' is a Sanskrit word meaning without grief or that which gives no
grief. Ashoka, a herald of spring, has scarlet or crimson bunches of
flowers in early March. It is said to flower upon being touched by a
beautiful woman's feet. In the Ramayana, Sita spent her sorrowful days
under an Ashoka tree in Ravana's garden after being abducted by him.
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Pārijāt पारिजात (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis) -- Hār-Singār
According to mythology, Pārijāta is a heavenly tree brought to earth by
lord Krishna. A quarrel over it ensued between Satyabhama and Rukmini,
Krishna's wives. But Krishna planted the tree in Satyabhama's courtyard in
a way that when the tree flowered, the flowers fell in Rukmini's courtyard.
Lord Vishnu's heavenly throne is placed under a flowering Parijata tree,
and Hanuman lives under its shade.
Another romantic story woven around the tree is about princess Pārijāta who
fell in love with the sun. When he deserted her she committed suicide and a
tree sprung from the ashes. Unable to stand the sight of the lover who left
her, the tree flowers only at night and sheds them like tear-drops before
the sun rises.
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Kadamb कदम्ब (Neolamarckia cadamba) – Kadamb
Kadamba trees and flowers are also a universal favourite among the Gods.
Krishna loved to sport in Kadamba forests, and the Mother Goddess Durga
resides in a Kadamba forest (Kadamba vana vāsinī).
Kamal कमल (Nelumbo nucifera) -- Lotus
The (red) lotus has pride of place in Indian literature. The national
floweris another universal favourite of the Gods, and its beauty is often
used in in similes for the beauty of heros/heroines: "face as beautiful as
a blooming lotus" or "eyes shaped like lotus petals". A woman's beauty may
be compared to that of a pond full of blooming lotuses (Nalinī, padminī) or
her slender frame to that of a lotus stem. A famous couplet ascribed to
Kalidasa describes a woman's face as a miracle of flower blooming within a
flower: her beautiful eyes are like dark blue lotuses blooming in the pink
lotus of her face!
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The goddess Lakshmi sits on a red Lotus, and Sarasvati, on a white
one. The Lotus is associated with Lord Brahma, who was created sitting on a
lotus arising from the navel of Lord Vishnu. The lotus has esoteric and
sacred significance in spirituality. The Mother Goddess (Devi) is called
Kamalāmba or "Lotus Mother": she resides in a thousand-petalled lotus said
to be located in the Sahasrāra Chakra in the head. Raising the serpent
power kundalini to this place leads to Realization, which is the aim of the
practitioners of "Sri Vidya Upasana". Lotus symbols are central in yantra
patterns, and form part of many designs of decoration in more secular
contexts. The lotus blooms at day and closes at night: so the sun is
referred to as the "Friend of the Lotus".
Karnikār कर्णिकार (Pterospermum acerifolium) -- Kanak Champā
This golden-hued flower has a beautiful tassel-like form which makes it
look very ornamental. It has an intense fragrance, perceptible even from a
great distance while it is on the tree. The fragrance starts fading the
moment it is plucked. The golden pendant flowers of the Karnikara adorn the
ears of Sri Krishna in the Bhagavatam (karnayoh karnikāram).
Vakul वकुल (Mimusops elengi) -- Maulsari
A very small, yellowish and fragrant flower used for garlands and other
ornaments. The milkmaids of Vrindavan are allured by Krishna playing his
flute under a Bakula tree on the banks of the Yamuna. This tree is said to
blossoms when sprinkled with nectar from the mouth of lovely women.
Mālatī मालती (AgAganosma heynei) -- Mālatī
Mālatī is a vine with very fragrant white jasmine-like flowers. This
flowers is frequently confused with jasmine. Ancient Hindu mythological
stories are full of references to Mālatī flowers, as in the braids of
women, or in overhanging bowers under which lovers meet. Malati flowers
routinely drop from the hair of women!
Mādhavī Latā माधवी लता (Hiptage benghalensis) -- Mādhavī
In stories of Krishna, Madhavi-lata is found every where in Vrindavan, and
creates a wonderful atmosphere with its fragrance and the three-colored
flowers:
"This forest has Atimukta-trees, therefore the chariot makers resort to it
(chariots are made of the wood), the makers of Madhavi-garlands like it
(Atimukta means Madhavi flower) and those who desire liberation come here
(to Vrindavana; (Atimukta means completely liberated).
Ketakī केतकी (Pandanus odoratissimus ) -- Kewdā केवड़ा
A fragrant flower used in making perfume and aromatic oil, Ketaki is not
used in worship: it is supposedly cursed by Lord Shiva for bearing false
witness of Lord Brahma. According to a Puranic legend, Vishnu and Brahma
were arguing hotly as to which of them was supreme. Lord Shiva interceded,
appearing amidst them in the form of a
huge pillar of light. The contestants decided that the question
would be settled by the one who first found the limit of this awesome
cosmic pillar. Vishnu set off towards its base but was unable to find it
and admitted defeat. Whereas Brahma on his journey upwards came across
ketaki flower floating down slowly. Inquiring from the flower from where
she had come from, ketaki replied that she had been placed at the top of
the pillar of light. Unable to find the uppermost limits Brahma decided to
take the flower back to Vishnu to bear witness that he had reached the top
of the pillar. This infuriated Shiva. Brahma was punished for lying and the
creator was banned from being worshipped. Similarly, ketaki was also cursed
that she would never again be used in worship of Shiva. Thus, ketaki is
debarred forever from being offered in worship.
Neel Kamal नील कमल (Nymphaea nouchali) -- Blue Waterlily
The dark complexion of Krishna is compared to that of Neelkamal. For this
reason, the Blue Waterlily is also called Krishna Kamal.
In the 'Ramayana', as it goes, Rama went to 'Lanka' to rescue his abducted
wife, Sita, from the grip of Ravana, the king of the Demons in Lanka.
Before starting for his battle with Ravana, Rama wanted the blessings of
Devi Durga . He came to know that the Goddess would be pleased only if she
is worshipped with one hundred 'NeelKamal' or blue lotuses. Rama, after
travelling the whole world, could gather only ninety nine of them. He
finally decided to offer one of his eyes, which resembled blue lotuses.
Durga, being pleased with the devotion of Rama, appeared before him and
blessed him.
Kund कुंद (Jasminum multiflorum/pubescens) -- Star jasmine
In Indian mythology, Kund is known for its whiteness. So, instead of the
common western phrase 'white as snow', what often appears in Hindu
mythological stories is 'white as kunda'. Also, beautiful white teeth are
often compared to Kunda buds. It is held to be especially sacred to Vishnu.
In Manipur, Kundo flowers are used in worship, and are an essential part of
a marriage ceremony. The bride garlands the groom with two Kundo flower
garlands. The groom then takes one of the two and garlands the bride.
Akund अकुंद (Calotropis gigantea) -- Crown flower
A pretty purple coloured, and slightly scented flower, having a sweet and
agreeable smell. It is called Arca in Sanscrit, and has two varieties, both
of which are held to be sacred to Shiva. It forms one of the five darts
with which the Indian God of Love is supposed to pierce the hearts of young
mortals. Sir William Jones refers to it in his Hymn to Kama Deva. It
possesses medicinal properties.
Champak चम्पक (Michelia champaca) -- Champā
This beautiful, delightfully scented cream-yellow flower is used often in
worship. The tree is grown in temple precincts and is considered
particularly sacred to Krishna. It forms one of the five flower-darts of
Kamadeva (Cupid). Champaka flowers along with Ashoka and Punnaaga adorn the
locks of the Mother Goddess Lalitambika. Rabindranath Tagore immortalised
this flower in one of his poems too
Yuthikā यूथिका (Jasminum auriculatum/molle) -- Juhī
Yuthika is a beautiful Jasmine vine with fragrant, attractive white
flowers. Stories of Krishna are full of reference to yuthika flowers, like
this one:
"And look! The Yuthika-flowers in this forest smile very proudly when they
attract the restless honeybees to themselves from the laps of the best
housewives, the jasmine-flowers, with their fragrance ... "
Kumud कुमुद (Nymphaea lotus var. pubescens) --White waterlily
The White waterlily is another romantic favourite. The moon is her friend
(since she blooms at night) and the sun is her enemy. A woman's face is
compared to her cool white beauty. A pond full of lilies (kumudini) is also
a favourite simile for beauty.
Japā kusum जपा कुसुम (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) --China Rose
The glory of the rising sun is often compared to this resplendently
beautiful flower. A famous couplet in praise of the Sun God begins `japaa
kusuma sankaasam'. The glowing complexion of the orange-skinned Hanuman is
also compared to this flower. Japa flowers are used in the worship of
Goddess Durga. Her glowing complexion as the Mother Goddess Lalita is
compared to the hibiscus in the lalitopaakhyaana.
Vat वट ( Ficus bengalensis) --Banyan
The banyan tree, India's National Tree, is a symbol of spiritual knowledge.
Lord Shiva in his form of Dakshinamurti the universal Teacher sits under a
Vata vrksha and illumines the minds of sages seated at his feet. In the
great Cosmic Deluge, Pralaya, nothing survives of the entire creation
except for the Lord in the form of an infant Krishna floating on a banyan
leaf (vata-patra shaayi), sucking his toe, a familiar theme for Tanjore
paintings.
Tamāl तमाल (Garcinia xanthochymus) --Mysore
The dark green beauty of this tree and its leaves, and its long limbs make
it a favourite simile for the Lord Rama. The baby Krishna is compared to a
newly unfurled Tamala leaf. The freshly blooming tamaala tree attracts
hordes of bees, and Shankaracharya compares this to the dark body of Lord
Vishnu attracting the bee-like dark eyes of his spouse Lakshmi in the
kanakadhaara stotra.
Punnāg पुन्नाग (Calophyllum inophyllum) -- Sultan Champa
This flower is sacred to Lord Vishnu, forming his garland. A fragrant
flower, it adorns the hair of Goddess Lalitambika in the Lalitaa Sahasram.
The punnaga flower is used in worship of Lord Vishnu. There are many
references to the Punnaga flower in the lyrics of Karnatic Music, as a
flower for worship and as adornment of various Gods. A raaga by the name
punnaagavaraali could be named after this tree!
Kovidār कोविदार (Bauhinia purpurea) -- Purple orchid tree
Kovidara occurs frequenctly in the Ramayana. Bharata's chariot is
recognized by a flag with a kovidara ensign. It is also called raktapushpa,
literally meaning blood-flower. It is a close cousin of the more popular
kachnar कचनार (Bauhinia variegata), and is extensively planted as an
ornamental tree today.
Pātal पाटल (Stereospermum chelonoides) -- Paral
This beautiful red flower is another favourite of the Gods and decorates
the hair of Goddesses and maidens. The ancient city of Patna was called
PaaTaliputra probably after this tree! The city was variously refered to as
PaaTalipura, Kusumapura, Pushpapura or Kusumadhvaja and certainly has
reference to this flower.
Gunjā (Abrus precatorius) -- Gunj
Gunja seeds are a favourite for native jewellery. the bright red-and-black
bead-like seeds are attractive to children right from the days of
mythology. These beads have special significance to the Gaudiya sect:
followers of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Krishna worship. The child Krishna is
inseperable from his favourite gunjaa maala, and it was said to represent
Radha. Followers of Chaitanya worship Krishna in a small stone representing
Mount Govardhan, with a gunja mala around it representing Radharani.
Children in the South still play variants of lotto with it. Gunja seeds are
bitter to taste and poisonous, but possess medicinal properties.Gunja seed
extract is used to kill lice as an ingredient of hair oil.
Atasi अतसी (Linum usitatissimum) -- Flax
This pretty blue flower is popular in Sanskrit literature for comparing
with the complexion of Krishna. A famous sloka in Krishna's praise goes
अतसीपुष्पसंकाशम् हारनूपुरशोभितम् "atasii pushpa sankaasam haara noopura
shobhitam". This flower, along with the blue butterfly-pea flower,
Aparaajita, is also popular in worship of Goddess Durga (who is also
sometimes considered an "amsha" (अंश) of Krishna).
Bandhook बंधूक (Pentapetes phoenicea) -- Midday Flower
Bandhook is a beautiful orange-red flower which blooms at noon. In Sanskrit
literature, it is often used to symbolize glowing red color.
For example, the following lines are from Surya Ashtakam (Octet to Sun God):
बन्धूकपुष्पसंकाशं हारकुण्डलभूषितम्|
एकचक्रधरं देवं तं सूर्यं प्रणमाम्यहम्||
(My salutations to the Sun God, Who is as red as the bandhook flower, Who
wears ornaments of garlands and ear rings, And who is the god with one
great Wheel.) Another example is from the various forms of Lord Ganesha,
which denote different aspects of life. Kshipra Ganesh (क्षिप्र गणेश) is
described as glowing brilliantly like bandhook flower and holding a pot of
jewels and other usual articles. KR IRS 0613 22
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