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IV.4. Tree Worship in Vedas and Puranas:鈥擨n the Vedic literature the Atharva-veda says that God dwells in trees. They destroy the demons of pollution. Trees are our friends. Y.V. also narrates that water and herbal plants are our friends. (Atharva-veda , 12. 3.15& Y.V., 6. 12) 132 The Rigveda also mentions that, vegetations are key to man's power. Trees, plants, forests and herbs, all are precious gift of God to the mankind. (Rigveda , 6.47. 27 & 10. 65. 11)133 Satapatha Brahmana tells us that trees and vegetations are incarnation of Lord Siva. Y.V. (in chapter 16) mentions that Siva or Rudra is the master of trees, Vegetations, forests, herbal plants, creepers and foliage, agriculture and farms lands. Siva took poison to save the world from its devastating effect. When Siva starts destruction he is called Rudra, Similarly, when trees are destroyed they act like Rudra, as all kinds of catastrophes become inevitable. (Satapatha Brahmana, 6. 1.3.12; Y.V., 16. 17 to 19)134 It is believed that Rudra is 132 Ganguli Pratima, environmental ethics, Ch.5, p.233. 133. Ibid, p. 234. 134. Ganguli Pratima, environmental ethics, Ch.5, p.234

197 omnipresent and all pervasive. We know vegetations are found almost every where. As early as in the times of Rigveda tree worship has been quite popular and universal. The tree represents various attributes of God. We present here a table to show divine association of trees and plants. Table - I Sl No. Name of Trees and Plants Association with Divine Power 1. Asvattha 2 Vata Lakshmi, Visnu, Ancestor worship Brahma, Visnu, srihari, Kubera 3. Tulasi Laksmi, Visnu, Ancestor worship 4. Soma Moon 5. m Bilva Siva 6. Asoka Sita, Indra, Buddha 7. Amlaki Laksmi, Kartika, Fertility Cult 8. Mango Laksmi, Govardhan, Hanumana, Garuda 9. Tala-spirits Fertility Cult 10. Kadamba Krsna 11. Neema sitala, Manasa, Sun 12. Palasa Brahma, Gandharva 13. Pippala Krsna, Visnu, Ancestor Worship 14. Mahua Fertility Cult 15. Semal Fertility Cult

16. Akh Fertility Cult 17 Narikel Fertility Cult 18. Fig Visnu, Rudra 19. Karpura Moon 20. Sheora Laksmi, Vana Durga 21. Sij Sitala 22. Tamala Krsna 23. Madhuka Parvati 198 The Padmapurana also narrates the religious merits of planting trees. He who plants them would emancipate both the families (of his father and of his mother). So, a man should plant trees. These trees become his sons and grand sons. When he dies he obtains the inexhaustible world. The trees worship all the hosts of God's with flowers, the manes with leaves and all guests with fruits and their shadow. Trees having flowers and fruits gratify human beings in this world. Here and in the other world they are the legal sons. 135 Padmapurana also describes the religious importance of trees. A man becomes wealthy by planting asvattha, and forgets his grief by planting asoka. 136 135 Deshpande N. A. Tr., Padma Purana, Part -VII, Ch. 27,vv. 8b-18a, Page 2414 136 Ibid, Part-I, Ch.28, VV. 23-24, p.361.

199 The same chapter (28) narrates the planting of a plaksa tree which gives the fruits of sacrifice, a ksira tree which gives long life, jambuki which gives daughters and dadimi which gives a 137 beautiful wife. One who plants asvattha leads to the destruction of diseases, plaksa takes one to Brahman, but who plants a 138 vibhitaka tree becomes a ghost. The planting of ankola tree leads to the expansion of the family. Health is obtained by planting khadira and the sun gets pleased by the planting of a Nimba tree. 139 God Siva is pleased when sri tree is planted, Parvati is pleased with the red lodhra, the celestial nymphs are pleased with the planting of simsapa and the best Gandharvas with the kunda trees. 140 The Padmapurana also advises us, the planting of Champaka which gives good fortune, the planting of tala tree is said to destroy children and vakula which expends the family, chandan and panasa which gives religious merits and wealth. 141 The planting of coconut tree brings many wives, while planting of the grape creeper makes one have an all beautiful wife, planting of koli 137 Ibid, Part-I, Ch.28, V. 25, p.361. 138 .Ibid, Part-1, Ch.28, V. 26, p.361. 139 .Deshpande N. A. Tr., Padma Purana, Part -I, Ch.28, V. 27, p.361. 140 .Ibid, Part-I, Ch.28, V. 28, p.361. 141 .Ibid, Part-I, Ch.28, VV. 29-30, p.361.

200 causes sexual enjoyment and ketaki destroys one's enemies and those who have planted trees will go high position. 142 According to ancient beliefs trees are formed under two categories: - Malevolent trees and Benevolent trees. Malevolent trees give shelter to demons, Spirits, or witches hidden within them and at times troubling persons/passerby. Tamarind tree is one of them.Benevolent - trees give shelter to religious merits or importance's, medicinal value and economic benefits such as asvattha, neemba, amalaka and tulsi etc. 143