The life on the planet Earth depends on three basic needs viz; Energy (Food), Water and Oxygen. Every religion says that all these needs are provided by the almighty who is Omnipresent.
Every living being derives oxygen from plants and trees, which liberate oxygen during photosynthesis.It is the process of synthesizing food in the presence of sun light by the chlorophyll present in the leaves. Water is also transpirated by green plants and trees in liquid form through the leaves. Plants and trees are are the rich sources of food and they provide Energy to all living beings.
All living beings release carbon dioxide during respiration. This carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants during synthesis of carbohydrates and liberates oxygen which is highly essential for life, to all the animal kingdom. All living organisms depend on plant kingdom for shelter, clothing, food, medicine and what not ! All daily needs are satisfied by the plants and trees. So nodoubt plants and trees are thr true visible Gods on this planet Earth. Life without plant kingdom cannot be imagined ! It provides all the essential nutrients required for the animal kingdom.’ Mother Nature’ has gifted these plants and trees to the men and animals of this planet.
The Sun is there to nourish all life. Water is trhere to quench the thirst ; the soil is there to grow food; trees are to bear fruits. The moment a baby is born the mother’s breast fill with milk. Thus the process of the universe is embedded in the life support system of mutuality. Hundreds and millions of species of Lions, elephants,snakes, butterflies, all are fed, watered, sheltered and taken care of by the mysterious process of this ‘Universe’.
Plants and Trees aids in the elevation of ‘Man’ to ‘Divine’ by all means. Actually they are ‘Gurus’ from whom one can learn any amount of Knowledge! Viz; divine characters like patience, sacrifice, unselfishness, broad mind, unconditional love, and helping nature etc.
Plants without any selfish nature are providing every thing they are possessing to human beings and animals of various natures and characters. They are even scarifying their lives for the welfare of living beings on this planet Earth!
Horticultural plants and trees are providing aesthetic beauty with their green foliage, flowers and healthy fruits and nuts.
Cultivation of Medicinal plants, herbs, and trees for the production of organic herbal medicines.
Production of Antibiotics like Pencilliene, single cell proteins from Algae like Spirulina and Chlorella.
Some of the trees like Jatropa Sp. And Pongamea Sp. Are used for the extraction of Bio-diesel which is an fuel oil of non-pollution.
Plants and trees are useful for the production of organic Bio-fertilizers like Anabaena, Nostoc, and Azolla for enhancement of healthy crop growth and yields.
Extraction of useful substances like Iodine, Agar-Agar from sea weeds is also attributed.
Bio-Pesticides like Tobacco decoction, Neem kernel extract, Neem oil, Custared Apple seed oil, are derived from plants and trees.
Some of the vegetable oils like Coconut oil, Ground nut oil, Soya bean oil, Sunflower oil, Safflower oil, Sesame oil, Castor oil, Almond oil etc. are extracted from the plants and trees only.
Natural fiberes like Jute, coconut are derived from plants and trees only.
Gums, resigns and latex are extracted from Rubber trees, Pine trees, and papaya etc.
Health giving Herbal juices like green juices, Vegetable juices, Fruit juices, Herbal Teas are also obtained from plant products.
Bio-Manures like Neem seed cake, Castor seed cake, Ground nut cake, Gingelly cake etc. which are highly beneficial in Organic Farming, provides Natural Micro and Macro Nutrients to the soil and to the plants.
‘Rudraksha’ trees are said to be divine and their beads are sacred and medicinal in nature. They are the gift of ‘Lord Shiva’ to the mankind.
Some of the trees like Banian tree, pepal tree, Neem tree, Bael tree, White mydra , Bacil are of divine and Holy and possess high medicinal properties. The people in
Some of the dried twigs of the holy trees and plants will be used in ‘Homas’ and ‘Yagnas’. They are nine in number and called as ‘Nava Samidhis’ viz; Jilledu, Moduga, Chandra, Sami, Garika and Dharba.
There are eight holy plants and trees viz; Bacil, Maredu, Vavili, Utta reni, Velaga, Jammi, Usirika and Garika whose leaves are said to be sacred and are used for Worshipping the Deities.
There are twenty one leaves (Eka vimsathi Patra) which are holy and sacred mainly used for the worship of ‘Lord Vinayaka’ during “Vinayaka Chavithi’. They are Machi patra, Brihathi Patra, Bilwa Patra, Doorwa yugma patra, Dttura patra, Badari patra, Apa marga patra, Tulaci, Chootha patra, Karaveera patra, Vishnu kranta patra, Dadimi patra, Deva daru patra, Maruvaka patra, Sindhuvara patra, Jaji patra, Gandaki patra, Sami patra, Aswatha patra, Arjuna patra, and Arka patra.
‘ There is no other medicine more enlightend in the world than the indigenous Herbal one. It is the greatest, the Godess or the Queen of Herbs’. – Mr. Jose, a Mayan Indian,
So “Trees are visible Gods’ undoubtedly !
Trees are Visible Gods !
Nomenclature : English : Peepal Tree
Sanskrit: Aswatha
Botanical: Ficus releosa Linn.
Telugu: Raavi Chettu.
General Description:
This is a perennial tree and can resist to various climatic changes, live and thrive hundreds of years. So it is called ‘Ever living’ (Chiranjeevi) tree. It is one of the ‘Pancha Ksheera Vrikshas’ (Letex producing trees). This tree is believed to be the embodiment of all deities, especially it is the replica of Lord Vishnu (Sthithi Karaka), Lord Maheswara (Laya Karaka) and Lord Brahma (Lord of Creation). This tree represents the planet ‘Guru’ (Brihaspathi). He is ‘Deva Guru’- Teacher for ‘Devathas’. This tree also represents the week ‘Thurse Day’, Metal is ‘Gold’, colour is ‘Yellow’, the cereal is ‘Bengal Gram’. The star is ‘Uthara’.
Indians mostly believe that the peepal tree as image of ‘Lord Sri Maha Vishnu’ , and the Neem tree as ‘ Sri Maha Lakshmi’. So mostly in temples of
Modern researchers are saying that this tree combination is highly religious and medicinal, and said to heal the physical and mental ailments. It enhances the Knowledge, the longevity, and happiness of human beings !
Usually devotees worship this tree to get healing to many diseases, and protection against evil spirits.
Medicinal Importance:
Each and every partr of this tree viz; the leaves, the bark, the root, and fruits are bestowed with high medicinal values, besides devotional importance.
The decoction made from the bark of this tree, when gorgled, reduces mouth and tongue ulcers and sores.
The fruits when consumed daily twice cures ‘Asthama’.
It is capable of increasing the semen count in males and enhance the possibility of ‘male’ progeny.
Childless ladies when perform 108 ‘pradaksanas’ around this Holy tree, heals the blockage of fallopian tubules and results in conception.
In children it enhances high memory power.
In ancient days, the kings used to worship this tree to have a male progeny.
Historical importance:
Gouthama Budha meditated under this sacred tree for a number of years and attained the supreme knowledge (Jnana)’ get enlightened and became ‘Budha’. That’s why this peepal tree is called ‘Bodhi Vriksha’, the tree of ‘enlightenment’. This tree is known to be the replica of ‘Dharma’ (Justice). This tree can be seen even now at ‘Budha Gaya’ in
This tree is also called ‘Viduraswatha’ because, this was planted bythe great saint ‘Vidura’ who is well known for his justice and is called ‘Vidura Neethi’, every one has to accept his rules. Now this tree is in the state of Karnataka in ‘Kaleswara’ which is 80 kilometers from
The lower portion of this holy tree is called the ‘Brahma’ the Lord of Creation, ‘Srishti Karaka’)), the central portion is called ‘Sri Maha Vishnu’ (the lord of maintenance ie. Stithi Karaka), the terminal portion of this tree is called ‘Sri Maheswara’ (Lord of Death ie.’ Laya Karaka’). This holy and sacred tree is known for it’s power of fulfillment of all desires of it’s devotees !
People worship this tree for maximum benefits by chanting the holy mantra;
Moolatho Brahma rupaaya Madhyatho Vishnu rupini
Agratha Shiva rupaaya Vriksha rajayathe namaha
