Here we explore a range of sacred plants and the unique ways Hindu beliefs in nature’s divinity have helped protect and conserve our natural world
By Savita Tiwari, Mauritius
Throughout human history, plant and tree worship has been found in many religions, sects and cultures. Hindus practice this worship on a daily basis. Plants and trees are part of our stories and prayers. Sometimes they represent the Gods themselves. Divinity resides in all prakriti (primal substance; original matter), including botanical life, which is greatly revered. These creations of nature are sometimes even seen as Divinities whom humans can touch, nurture and worship. After all, we depend on them for our very survival—for oxygen, food, clothing and shelter. What do they need from us? Nothing. They grow on their own, with water and sunlight, and care for themselves. They simply give—a quality of God.
A young woman hugs a tree
An offering of parijata flowers
Each person must get closer to prakriti to start their own journey towards purusha (Universal Spirit) within, by exploring their own path toward personal harmony with the plant world. As the blessing sloka from the Rig Veda says, “May soma together with the plants be auspicious to all.”
We as Hindus interact with the world of nature both spiritually and physically, and regard plants and trees as an extension of the Divine. In religious ceremonies, leaves, flowers and fruits are used as offerings. All our prayers begin with the dhyan mantra, where devotees offer a handful of flowers as a token of their love, and end with the pushpanjali mantra, when we offer flowers to the feet of the Lord with gratitude.
Sometimes the plant itself is the Deity, such as during Tulsi puja, Manasa Devi puja, Vatsavitri puja or Amla Ekadashi. The Aswatha tree is especially watered and worshiped each Saturday, as it is believed the Tridev—Brahma, Vishnu and Siva—along with Lakshmi reside in the tree that day.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT: https://www.hinduismtoday.com/magazine/apr-may-jun-2023/hinduism-natures-guardian/