Sacred Trees/Plants of Sanatan Dharma
Did you know that plants also have a special meaning & place in Sanatan Dharma (सनातन धर्म)? Here’s the TREE!
In Hindu philosophy, the soul's journey through 84 lakh life forms includes the "Sthavara yoni" (स्थावर योनि) - the immobile category of plants and trees - so you & I were trees in one of our past lives.
Our ancient scriptures proved their consciousness long ago. In the Mahabharata’s (महाभारत) Shanti Parva (शान्ति पर्व), Sage Bhrigu (भृगु) debates Bharadvaja (भरद्वाज), proving that trees experience heat, cold, and pain, and therefore possess a soul, too.
Because of this, ancient India took ecological protection seriously. Cutting down trees senselessly is an offence in Kautilya’s Arthashastra (अर्थशास्त्र) & Manusmriti (मनुस्मृति). We even had a dedicated ancient science for plant health, known as Vrikshayurveda (वृक्षायुर्वेद).
Historically, Indian villages have always had "Chaitya-Vrikshas" (चैत्य-वृक्ष) - giant guardian trees worshipped for generations. In fact, almost every prominent tree has its own deity, purpose, and story.
The Ashvattha (अश्वत्थ), or Pipal tree, is worshipped to get kids. It is the tree under which Lord Krishna (कृष्ण) left his mortal body, and where Gautama Buddha (गौतम बुद्ध) attained enlightenment.
The Vata (वट), or Banyan tree, represents eternal life and is the center of the Vata Savitri (वट सावित्री) fast, where women tie a thread around its trunk for their partner’s longevity.
The three-leaved Bilva (बिल्व) is sacred to Lord Shiva (शिव), while the Udumbara (उदुम्बर) is associated with Lord Dattatreya (दत्तात्रेय). Neem (नीम/निम्ब) is revered as a manifestation of the mother Goddess.
Apta (आप्टा) leaves are exchanged as symbolic gold during Dussehra in Maharashtra. Tulasi (तुलसी) is ceremonially married to Lord Krishna in the form of Shaligrama (शालिग्राम). The Parijata (पारिजात) is the only flower that can be offered in temples even after it has fallen to the ground.
A coconut, or Sriphala (श्रीफल), is smashed before new beginnings as a cruelty-free substitute for animal sacrifice. Even a simple blade of grass, like Durva (दूर्वा), is essential for worshipping Ganesha (गणेश).
Beyond Earth, the scriptures speak of the Panchavriksha (पञ्चवृक्ष) - the five divine trees of heaven: Mandara (मन्दार), Parijataka (पारिजातक), Santana (सन्तान), Kalpavriksha (कल्पवृक्ष), and Harichandana (हरिचन्दन).
Few cultures hold such a deep, philosophical reverence for Mother Nature and ecology. Sanatan Dharma teaches us to protect our trees. Let’s do our duty by planting at least one tree this month.