Sacred Trees of India

“dasha-kūpa-samā vāpī, dasha-vāpī-samo hradaḥ |

dasha-hrada-samaḥ putro, dasha-putra-samo drumaḥ ||”

-Matsya-purāṇa 154:512

Translation: A pond equals ten wells, a reservoir equals ten ponds.

A son equals ten reservoirs, and a tree equals ten sons!

Banyan Tree. Image Credit - astroclips.com

Trees are very much revered in Indian culture. In the olden days, trees were cared for and worshipped in many religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, etc. The main reason why trees are venerated is because of their association with gods. Some of the examples are given below

1. Gautama Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment while meditating under a Bodhi Tree.
2. In Ramayana, Sita was abducted by Ravana and was held beneath the shades of an Ashoka Tree.
3. Lord Shiva is considered the god of the banyan tree (aalamara kadavul).

You can find a lot of other examples as well but I’ve only included 3, just for the sake of simplicity.

Ashoka Tree. Image Credit - plantslive.com

From what I’ve read and understood, almost half of the common sacred trees belonged to the category of figs (ficus). Here are some common trees -

1. Peepal Tree - Ficus religiosa
2. Banyan Tree - Ficus benghalensis
3. Bargad Tree - Ficus benghalensis
4. Goolar Tree - Ficus racemosa

The Peepal Tree is considered the most sacred of all trees. It is known as the Tree of Knowledge, the Tree of Life, the Tree of Eternal Life, and the Tree of Creation. By spreading its branches, it brings blessings to humankind. It is said that the air under the Peepal contains more oxygen and that it can refresh us.

Peepal Tree. Image Credit - kamaayurveda.com

There is an old Indian saying that goes like this - ‘Where there is a Peepal there will always be a Neem’. Neem (Azadirachta indica) was also one of the most sacred trees. It is very famous for its medicinal qualities. Neem is associated with the goddess Durga. It is believed that the smoke produced while burning neem, can keep the evil spirits away from you.

The great Mahatma Gandhi was a staunch believer in Neem and its medicinal qualities. Elsewhere in India, Peepal and Neem are wedded off to each other as a ritual to ensure good rainfall. There are many other sacred trees as well, like Bel, Banyan, Ashoka etcetera.

A Neem Plant. Image Credit - Nurserylive.com

Trees are one of the best wonders of nature. Today, we are not giving trees the care they deserve. Many trees are being cut down to quench our rapacious thirst for our own personal needs. But let me tell you one thing, Nature is always smarter than us, and only nature and trees, will and should win this war.

That’s it for now,

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