Nilanjana Rai Reward Points : 27800 Member Since : Saturday, March 14, 2009
Are there any trees in India that can be termed as mythological trees or have they been mentioned in folklores, etc?
Posted On : 4/4/2009 3:08:01 AM
Chetan Juneja Reward Points : 55000 Member Since : Monday, April 28, 2008
Kalpavriksha and Chaityavriksha scriptures mention that worshipping trees have been an ancient Indian practice. Considering trees as sacred entities, dates back to the era of the Aryans who worshiped nature. Plants and trees are associated with several Indian rituals and tree worshiping continues to be an aspect of modern Indian traditions. The Hindus, Buddhists and Jains worship the Ashoka Tree, which is one of the most legendary and sacred trees of India. Myth says that Lord Buddha was born under this tree in Lumbini. The Hindus worship this tree since it is dedicated to Kama Deva God of Love . On the other hand the banyan tree symbolizes the Trimurti- Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma. Depicting life and fertility in many Hindu cultures, this tree is worshiped by the childless. Banyan tree is usually never cut, thus it grows covering several hectares. The coconut tree is known as Kalpa vriksha in Sanskrit and enjoys special importance in most Hindu households. The coconut is used for all religious purposes and also for main sthapana of any pooja, the fruit is believed to represent Lord Shiva and the three black marks on the coconut shell depicts his eyes. Signifying love and fertility, the leaf of the Mango tree is used for religious and social ceremonies.
Posted On : 4/6/2009 5:21:46 AM
Brida Basu Reward Points : 21700 Member Since : Wednesday, February 11, 2009
The Skanda Purana interprets the significance of Bael tree and mentions that Goddess Parvati s perspiration, which fell to the ground while she performed penance, gave birth to this tree. Hindu mythology also says that various incarnations of Parvati reside in each part of the Bael tree. Besides these the Ashoka tree is popular for the myth of Lord Buddha taking birth under it in Lumbini. Lord Mahavira, too, renounced the world under the Ashoka tree in Vaishali. Ramayana also mentions this tree as the Ashoka Vatika where Hanuman first meets Goddess Sita. Bamboo tree is also mythologically associated with Lord Krishna as his bansuri was made of bamboo.
The trees in Indian mythology and folklore bear spiritual importance in Indian legends and history. The Vedas, Puranas and Epics carry special references on these mythological trees. The Bodhi Tree is an old sacred fig tree located in Bodh Gaya under which Gautama Buddha, the spiritual teacher and founder of Buddhism achieved enlightenment. In religious iconography, the Bodhi tree is identifiable by its heart-shaped leaves. The Peepul tree or Ashvastha tree is also a sacred Fig tree and a symbol for happiness, prosperity, longevity and good luck. In Bhagwat Geeta, Lord Krishna had also said among trees, I Am Ashvastha . The Tulsi plant is an important mythological plant with a Puranic background. According to myths and legends goddess Mahalaksmi, wife of Visnu, had once taken the form of Tulsi. Due to these factors Tulsi plant is often seen at numerous Hindu temples, especially those dedicated to Vishnu and Krishna.
Posted On : 4/7/2009 2:12:46 AM
Bidyut Nath Reward Points : 22200 Member Since : Friday, March 27, 2009
Parijat is another flower that appears in several Hindu myths. In one such myth, which appears in Srimad Bhagavatam, the Mahabharata and the Vishnu Purana, Parijat appeared as the result of the Samudra manthan Churning of the Milky Ocean . In another myth, Parijat was brought to earth by Krishna from Indra s garden. In Hindu mythology, there is a story involving Lord Krishna about a parijat and Krishna s two wives, Satyabhama and Rukmini. Satyabhama wanted this Parijat tree from the Heaven to be planted in her garden. Rukmini too, took a fancy to the flower. Krishna, wanting to keep both his wives happy, planted this tree so that the flowers fell in Rukmini s garden while the tree remained in Satyabhama s garden. The tree was planted in the garden of Indra, the Lord of Heavens. Even as Krishna stole a branch of the tree he was spotted by Indra. However, Indra desisted from placing a curse on Krishna since he was an incarnation of Vishnu. Still, Indra put forth a curse on the stolen branch that it will never bear fruit even though the flowers may bloom on the tree. Since then, the tree was planted at Barabanki the wives garden , it flowers but does not reproduce, because it has no seeds and the branch cannot take root.
Posted On : 4/7/2009 3:30:42 AM
Siddharth Ray Reward Points : 61200 Member Since : Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Flora in general play a central role in the Indian culture, which has largely a vegetarian tradition. The symbolism of the tree is mentioned in the 135th hymn of the 10th book of Rig-Veda, and in the 15th chapter of Bhagavad-gita 1 4 . Two varieties of the fig called Ashvatta in Sanskrit , the banyan tree and the peepal tree are the most revered in the Indian tradition, and both are considered the trees of life. The banyan symbolizes fertility according to the Agni Purana and is worshipped by those wanting children. It is also referred to as the tree of immortality in many Hindu scriptures. The banyan is believed to have nourished mankind with its milk before the advent of grain and other food. The fig tree is either a player or an observer in several scriptural incidents of Hinduism. The sages and seers sit under the shade of the fig tree to seek enlightenment, hold discourses and conduct Vedic rituals. The Bodhi tree under which Gautama Buddha achieved enlightenment is a peepal tree. The fig tree assumes special importance in the Indian tradition owing mainly to its two-way growth aerial roots growing downwards .
Posted On : 4/12/2009 12:39:48 AM
Maniam PS [Guru] Reward Points : 137200 Member Since : Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Kalpavriksha is a mythological, wish-fulfilling divine tree that is a common trope in Sanskrit literature from the earliest sources onwards see Rig Veda 1.75 17.26 . Along with the kamadhenu, or wish-giving cow , the kalpavriksha originated during the Samudra manthan or churning of the milk ocean , and the King of the gods, Indra returned with it to his paradise. While there is no attested Sanskrit source conclusively identifying this mythological tree with any real, known tree kalpavriksha can figuratively refer to a source of bounty. Different trees are referred to as the Kalpa Vriksha. According to the Padma Purana, this tree is the Parijat - Night-flowering_Jasmine. At Joshimath in Uttaranchal, which commemorates the residence of Adiguru Shankaracharya, there is a large, ancient bodhi tree known locally as the kalpavriksha. This tree is the Pipal / Peepal tree - Sacred_Fig. Some persons refer to the Banyan tree as the Kalpavriksha. Some parts of India, especially coastal areas call the Coconut tree as Kalpavriksha or kalpataru because of its ability to amply provide for human needs.
The famous Ekamreshvara temple in the temple-town of Kanchipuram Tamil Nadu has the mango tree as the sthalavriksha. Goddess Parvati is said to have worshipped a Siva lingo, beneath this tree and was reunited with Siva. A very ancient sculpture inside this temple depicts this scene with the mango tree sculpted very prominently. he Bhang Tree is considered an auspicious tree as it brings wealth and prosperity. The leaves and flowers of this plant are deemed to be the prasad for Mahashivratri. Tulsi plant is always associated with purity, revered by the Hindus and is most loved by Lord Vishnu and Vrinda Devi.
Posted On : 4/13/2009 2:13:54 AM
artifex Reward Points : 100 Member Since : Monday, June 22, 2009
while visiting Bodh Gaya i noticed young women wrapping colorful cloths around various trees throughout the area. There were flowers and all kinds of gifts under the trees. Is this a festival or is it simply done on a regular basis and are these Banyan trees? There is a large tree at the entrance to the Buddhist Temple where the Bodhi Tree resides.
Posted On : 6/22/2009 11:00:12 AM
arit Reward Points : 100 Member Since : Thursday, July 09, 2009
i want know in india which part or place in india situted kalpatree.
Posted On : 7/9/2009 6:24:30 AM
rahul Reward Points : 100 Member Since : Thursday, September 17, 2009
it is very commonly seen in premises of tripursundari temple in village talwara in distt banswara of rajasthan.
Mythological Trees In India
