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DIVINE HERBS PLANTS AND TREES IN HINDU TEXTS

 THE HERBS, PLANTS, TREES, GARDENS, FORESTS MENTIONED IN THE HINDU TEXT ARE AS FOLLOWS:





·     Ausadhirdipyamanas - Healing plants. Used for healing and rejuvenations in battles. These are used by the ashvins.

·        ERAKA GRASS - The grass that grew from the cast away powdered iron-bolt belonging to SAMBH. It was used to destroy the Yadu race, as it miraculously turned into an iron-bolt in the hands of its wielders.

·        Kusha grass/ Darbha grass - The Kusha grass is specifically recommended by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita as part of the ideal seat for meditation.

·        Padma - Padma (The sacred lotus) is an aquatic plant that plays a central role in Indian religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism. Hindus revere it with the gods Vishnu, Brahma and to a lesser degree Kubera, and the goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswati. Often used as an example of divine beauty and purity.

.    Saugandhika flower was a lotus flower which was sought after by Bhima (for Draupadi) during the Pandavas exile. It was found in Kubera's pond.

·        Sanjeevani - Sanjeevani is a magical herb which has the power to cure any malady. It was believed that medicines prepared from this herb could revive a dead person.

·        Tulsi - Tulsi (or Tulasi, Holy basil) is a sacred plant in Hindu belief. Hindus regard it as an earthly manifestation of the goddess Tulsi; she is regarded as a great worshipper of the god Vishnu.

·        The Tree of Jiva and Atman appears in the Vedic scriptures, predating current Hinduism, as a metaphysical metaphor concerning the soul.

·        Caitraratha, the grove of Kubera

·        Ekachakra

·        Nakshatravana

·        Vrindavan

o   Bhajana Kutir

DIVINE TREES:

·        Amalika - The veneration of the amla tree in particular is due to the belief that the god Vishnu resides in and near the tree, particularly on Amalaka Ekadashi.

·        Ashoka tree - The ashoka tree is closely associated with the yakshi mythological beings.

·        Atti/Gular Fig (Sanskrit: uḍumbara) - In the Atharva Veda, this fig tree is given prominence as a means for acquiring prosperity and vanquishing foes.

·        Bilva tree - Bilwa tree is a sacred tree and used to worship Lord Shiva.

·        Kadamba - The kadamba is mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana. In North India, it is associated with Krishna while in the south it is known as "Parvati’s tree". The kadamba tree is also associated with a tree deity called Kadambariyamman.

·        Parijata (also Nyctanthes arbor-tristis - The divine flowering tree with blossoms that never fade or wilt - taken to Indraloka by the Devas.

·        Sala tree - In Hindu tradition, the sal tree is said to be favoured by Vishnu. It is also associated with salabhanjika or shalabhanjika (also known as madanakai, madanika or shilabalika).

·        Akshayavat or Akshay Vat (Indestructible Banyan Tree) - It is a sacred fig tree. The sage Markandeya asked Lord Narayana to show him a specimen of the divine power. Narayana flooded the entire world for a moment, during which only the Akshayavat could be seen above the water level.

·        Kalpavriksha (also Kalpataru, Kalpadruma or Kalpapādapa) - It is a wish-fulfilling divine tree in Hindu history.

·        Ashvattha (also Assattha) - A sacred tree for the Hindus and has been extensively mentioned in texts pertaining to Hinduism, mentioned as 'peepul' (Ficus religiosa) in Rig Veda mantra I.164.20. Buddhist texts term the tree as Bodhi tree, a tree under which Gautama Buddha meditated and gained enlightenment.

GARDENS:

·        Ashok Vatika was a garden in Lanka, the Kingdom of demon king, Ravana.

·        Nandana is the celestial garden in Amaravati (also known as Indra Loka), planted with sacred trees and sweet-scented flowers.

            FORESTS:

·        Dharmāranya - a sacred grove; a forest in Madhyadesa into which Dharma retired.

·        Dandakaranya

·        Dvaita Forest

·        Himavanta Forest

·        Kamyaka Forest

·        Khandava Forest

·        Madhu Forest

·        Naimisha Forest

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