All About Trees ---- By Sri.Sri.Muralidhara Swamiji

[Guest guest]

Radhe Krishna To All,

 

There are quite a few instances in our Vedas and Shastras where the greatness of

certain trees is mentioned. Each tree has certain unique characteristics that

have been helping the mankind –

 

Palasa Tree:

 

“Once the devas were sitting under a ‘palAsa’ tree and discussing the

glory of Gayatri Mantra. This tree heard them speak of the Gayatri mantra formed

in three ‘pAdAs’ and began to grow three leaves at a time. The wonder struck

devas named the tree as ‘susravas’ that means ‘a tree with the best

hearing ability’.

 

This matter is mentioned in the Vedas as “DevAvai brahmannavadanta tatparna

upAsruNot susravAvai namh†A brahmachari ‘vidyArthi’ (student) who seeks a

Guru in Gurukula to learn the Vedas should grasp the teachings of the Guru as

well as the ‘palAsa tree’. This is the reason that ‘palAsa danda’

(stick) is given to him. Moreover, the grasping ability of one who holds this

‘palAsa’ stick in his hand increases.

 

Peepul Tree:

 

Manu explains in Manusmriti, “One who bathes in the waters where the shade of

a peepul tree falls, is cleansed of all his sins.†Therefore, our ancestors

have planted a peepul tree on the bank of ponds. This is a ‘prãcheena

sampradãya’ (ancient tradition). This practice is followed in all places.

 

Women longing for children circumambulate the peepul tree. This is one of the

common traditions practiced since age old days. Today, scientific studies

indicate in additional to its medicinal qualities, the breeze from the peepul

tree stimulates the woman’s egg.

 

Just like a Brahmin boy is given to hold a PalAsa ‘danda’, a Vayshya child

is given to hold a ‘peepul’ stick, as it is believed that peepul has the

quality of providing incessant food to his household.

 

‘Konrai’ tree:

 

‘Konnappoo’ (flower from a konrai tree) is yellow in colour. It fills up the

whole tree that one cannot see the leaves! People install a Siva linga below it.

When the branches move about in breeze the flowers fall on the Linga.

‘Konnappoo’ is a favourite of Siva. It is a favourite of Muruga, too.

 

Bamboo:

 

Just like a lightning conductor installed on the top of a building protects the

building from natural shocks like lightning, the bamboo stick that the sanyasi

holds protects him from negative forces that tend to steal his penances. Such

is the power of bamboo.

 

‘Ilandai’ (Chinese Dates) / ‘Vilaam’ (wood apple)

 

“Our mind is brought under control by eating ‘Ilandai’ fruit and

‘vilaam’ fruit. The vasanas of the mind reduces. These fruits have the power

to make the mind pleasant. This is the reason that it is said (in Srimad

Bhagavatam) that Dhruva ate these fruits while doing ‘tapas’ (penance).

Sage Vyasa sat under a ‘Ilandai Tree’ (‘badari tree’) and wrote the

Bhagavata Purana.

 

 

Regards

 

Source : www.namdwaar.org

 

Please Chant

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

 

and be happy

 

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