In Hinduism, trees have great significance. They are considered sacred & are often associated with gods & goddesses. The banyan tree is one of the most respected trees in Hinduism. It is considered as the national tree of India because of its longevity, tremendous medicinal qualities & it is mostly found in Indian sub-continents. The Banyan Tree is also known as वटः in Sanskrit & Bargad in Hindi. It has the ability to grow & survive for centuries & mostly it is compared to the shelter of gods for his devotees.
It has large leaves, which are commonly used for worship & rituals. In Hinduism, the banyan tree (वटः) is qualified as a kind & generous tree that nourishes all. The Banyan Tree (वटः) is mentioned in many ancient Hindu texts & scriptures, representing the divine creator & symbolizing longevity. In Hindu scriptures, the trees are believed to provide the fulfilment of wishes which provides material & spiritual gains. But the banyan tree (वटः) is mostly known for the attainment of the spiritual aspects. The banyan tree (वटः) symbolises eternal life, due to its unending expansion.
Historical account of the banyan tree (वटः) -
There is a legend connected to the banyan tree, which is why this tree is more immensely worshipped by all the Hindus, especially Hindu women. The banyan tree (वटः) is the symbol of womanhood, chastity, loyalty, love & eternal bond of husband & wife. The story of Savitri & her husband Satyavan has been narrated in the Mahabharata (Aranyaka-parva, chs.277-283), Matsya Puranam (chs.277-283) & Devi-Bhagwata Mahapuranam (Skandha 9, chs.26-38).
The narrative goes like this; Ashvapati, the king of Madra country was childless so he worships goddess Savitri & pleases Her with the help of a sacrifice. The goddess reveals herself & offers him a boon. He wishes for a son for continuing his dynasty, while goddess grants a worthy daughter. The queen Malavi (wife of Ashvapati) gives birth to a daughter who is given the name Savitri. She grew up to be a very beautiful woman & was given the liberty to marry a man of her choice. She chooses Satyavan, the son of the king Dyumnasena. To this, Sage Narada informs her father that she has chosen the best man but he is not suitable for her because he has short-span. Even after learning about Satyavan's short life-span, Savitri decides to marry him. Later, Ashvapati meets Dyumnasena & express his wish for Savitri & Satyavan’s marriage but Dyumnasena did not accept this proposal & informs about his condition that he doesn’t has his kingdom, nor royal power & no eye-sight. But still Ashvapati succeeds in convincing Dyumnasena.
Soon Savitri & Satyavan gets married. She was the loyal & righteous wife; she engaged herself in the service of her husband & parents-in-law. Time passed by & she gets worried for her husband’s lifespan. Three days before Satyavan’s predicted end of life, Savitri decides to do penance by fasting. She observes fast for her husband’s life, meditates on goddess Parvati & worships the banyan tree (वटः) with an intention to save her husband’s life. On the 4th day of her fasting, both Satyavan & Savitri went to the forest to get some woods for household activities. While both of them were engaged in working suddenly Satyavan gets a headache, so Savitri places his head on her lap & asks him to rest for a while, both of them were sitting under the banyan tree (वटः). Just after that, she sees Yama (god of Death) in front of them & Yama throws his nooze & seizes Satyavan’s soul & leaves for his capital city. Observing this, Savitri cover her husband’s body & follows Yama. Yama sees her following him & urges her to go back.
But in return she asks him that why he didn’t send his servant for this job instead, he came himself? Yama gives the reason that Satyavan was righteous person who was engrossed in worshipping gods, sages, Brahmins & his parents, thus he himself came to take his soul & asks her to go back. But instead, Savitri started praising Yama. Yama gets pleased by her & offers a boon except her husband’s life so, Savitri asks for her Father-in-law’s eyesight & his lost kingdom back & Yama fulfils her wish by releasing him (Dyumnasena) from the bondage of Karma. Then she gets an opportunity to question him about the theory of Karma. Yama explains her about the theory of Karma & from that she asks a question about the sin committed by her father (Ashvapati) due to which he is a sonless king. Yama gets pleased by her intelligence & offers her another boon except her husband’s life. Savitri wishes to have 100 brothers who lives for 100 years, so Yama promises her to fulfil her wish & offers her one last boon & then return back. She then very cleverly discloses her wish for having 100 sons. As she was a chaste & faithful wife, she will never have a child with another husband so Yama laughs to this & appreciates her cleverness & gives her husband’s life back.
Because of this historical event, the married Hindu women still keeps this vow, worships the banyan tree, keeps fast for the long life of their husband. This vow is known as Vat Purnima (वटपूर्णिमा) or Vat Savitri Vratam (वट-सावित्री-व्रतम्) & it is extensively celebrated in India on the full moon day of the Jyeshtha month.
Significance of the banyan tree (वटः) –
The banyan tree (वटः) holds the great significance in Hinduism. It is considered as the most pious tree. It is the symbol of immortality as it has capacity to survive for thousands of years. It has aerial roots that grow down from its branches forming additional trunks which touches the ground. This tree represents the creator Brahma, as it symbolizes longevity. The Hindu religion refers two types of reality; the material reality which is temporary & the eternal reality which is permanent. Trees like the coconut & banana fit in the first category as they represent the life cycle, continuously dying & renewing itself; while the banyan tree (वटः) represents the later, it is like the soul, neither dying nor renewing.
The banyan tree (वटः) also represents the spiritual aspirations, as it is immortal (अक्षयः) & it can survive the destruction of the world (प्रलयः) too. The banyan tree (वटः) is considered equivalent to the ascetic since, an ascetic is more inclined in spiritual aspirations than materialistic life. In the same way, the banyan tree (वटः) represents the spiritual aspirations; free from materialism. Usually under the banyan tree (वटः) the ascetics are seen performing meditation, who have left the material aspects of life & preferred the spiritual path. They reject the desires of the body in search of the truth of the soul alone. The Scriptures also suggests the great ascetic Lord Shiva meditating below the banyan tree (वटः).
According to the Hinduism & Hindu Scriptures, giving education to the students under the banyan tree (वटः) is considered as the best way of teaching & learning process. The banyan tree (वटः) is considered as the bestower of systematic knowledge as it helps in imparting the knowledge & due to its capability, positive energy & positive surroundings, it also imparts ability to gain the true knowledge under it. This is the reason, that the banyan tree (वटः) is also known as the गुरुः (i.e. the teacher). We have seen many pictures or heard many stories of the ancient गुरु-शिष्य परंपरा (i.e. tradition of teacher & pupils) which was always located below the banyan tree (वटः) & that is because of this purpose only.
There is also a significance in connection to Lord Vishnu with the Banyan tree (वटः), it is during the end of the world when flood waters rise & dissolve everything (प्रलयः). Sage Markandeya, who had a terrifying vision of this event, saw Lord Vishnu as a baby lying on the leaf of a Banyan tree (वटः), held by the deadly waves. The image symbolizes as, the whole world is temporary like the waves of the ocean but the life can renew by itself as a baby. Here, the divine grace represented of Lord Vishnu as eternal just like a banyan leaf.
Scientific benefits of the banyan tree (वटः) -
The banyan tree (वटः) also has tremendous medicinal properties & is used extensively in Ayurveda. It has numerous healing properties. The bark of the tree, its leaves & its fruits are tremendously useful in treating many diseases. There is science behind every significance of the Hindu religion. The Banyan tree (वटः) not only fulfils spiritual & material wishes, but also provides several health benefits. Below are some of the health benefits which are also proven by modern Science;
1. Strong immunity is essential for a healthy life. Immunity helps to fight against diseases & protects the body. The bark of the banyan tree is a good immune boosting agent & helps to develop immunity.
2. The aerial roots of the banyan tree (वटः) have anti-bacterial & astringent properties which is effective against most oral health problems. Chewing its aerial roots prevents gum infections, bleeding gums, tooth decay & strengthens teeth. The aerial roots act as natural toothpaste & also prevents bad breath.
3. The fruit of the banyan tree (वटः) contains high amount of potassium which helps in lowering the sodium level in the body. It also contains the natural minerals such as magnesium, phosphor, omega 3 & 6, etc. which helps in reducing the blood pressure & prevents coronary heart diseases. The experts state that consuming its fruit at least once a day, reduces the risk of a sudden heart attack.
4. The fruit of the banyan tree (वटः) contains polyphenol which acts as an antioxidant which helps to fight the cancer cell. Thus, its fruits are beneficial for curing any type of cancer such as, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, brain cancer, colon cancer, etc.
5. Leaf buds of the banyan tree are beneficial in the treatment of chronic diarrhoea & dysentery; few drops of the latex of the banyan tree mixed in milk and taken daily help to cure bleeding piles.
6. The dietary fiber present in the banyan tree fruit enables to control the body weight & it also helps in building the weight & body posture. Similarly, its fruit consists of high level of vitamin A, C & E which helps to maintain the good vision.
7. The fruit of the banyan tree is sweet but, the fructose & glucose in it will not let increase the blood sugar level. Besides fructose & glucose, it also consists of unsaturated fiber & carbohydrate which will slow down the process of excess sugar absorption on the digestive system. So, it is very beneficial for the diabetic patients.
8. One of the respiratory syndromes which are commonly experienced is asthma. Asthma is usually caused by infection on the respiratory system. Regular consumption of the banyan tree fruit helps in reducing respiratory problems. It is also useful in decreasing the sore throat or throat infection.
9. The fruits of the banyan tree (वटः) help to boost the formation of hemoglobin in the blood as it consists of high level of iron. The iron is the main component in hemoglobin formation & so, it is helpful in preventing anemia.
10. Banyan tree fruit consists of diuretic element which treats to shed residue & stone in the kidney.
11. According to nutritionist, calcium & phosphor level contained in banyan tree fruit is higher than the calcium & phosphor present in milk. Osteoporosis (a disease related to the weak bones) can be prevented by regular consumption of banyan tree fruit as it consists of high level of calcium & has capacity to strengthen the bones.
12. Banyan tree fruit consists of vitamin B6 that helps to improve concentration. Regular consumption of it help to prevent the degenerative brain disease such as Alzheimer.
13. Unsaturated fat in its fruit helps in lowering the cholesterol.
14. High water level in the banyan tree fruit helps to reduce toxins from the body & increase the water level thus, keeps the skin stays hydrated & moisturized.
15. Its fruit contains antiseptic agent & fights the bacteria which helps in curing injuries & swelling. It can also prevent the inflammation & infection on the skin.
16. The fruit of the banyan tree consists of magnesium, vitamin A, C & E, & encourages blood circulation in the scalp & accelerates hair growth. It can be used as a natural hair conditioner.
17. The powder of the tender roots of the banyan tree (वटः) are considered beneficial in the treatment of female barrenness. It should be taken with the milk continuously for three days after the menstruation.
18. The Banyan tree bark as well as its leaves has tremendous quality of treating vaginal infections. Crushing the dried banyan leaves, making a powder. Boiling it in a liter of water until the water reduces to half a liter. Letting it cool & then applying it on the affected area, benefits in all kinds of vaginal infections.
19. The fruits of banyan tree are rich in folate, protein, dietary fiber, calcium, & the other natural minerals which are beneficial for the pregnant women & its foetus. Moreover, the zinc present in its fruit is also beneficial for the mother who has just delivered the baby.
20. The fruits of the banyan tree (वटः) also help in enhancing vitality of the men.
Thus, the nature holds the great place in Hinduism. Hindus considers the nature as the living being & worships the nature as the Deities. The roots of the Hinduism are solely connected to the nature. Hinduism teaches to protect & respect the nature & its outcome. So, certain trees hold specific importance in Hinduism but that doesn’t mean that Hindus disobey other trees/plant. As, certain trees hold important values & so Hindus worship it. The banyan tree (वटः), its fruits, bark & roots holds much valuable place in medicinal aspects. Though it has numerous health benefits, it also has a great significance in Hinduism.
निज. अश्विनः शुक्लपक्षे १०, २०७६