THE GLORY OF TREES & HINDUISM

One of the greatest actions you can do now to help increase oxygen on the planet is to plant trees in your yard, apartment complex, schoolyard or spiritual community. The "Vedas" and the "Bhagvat Purana" are Hindu texts which describe the greatness of trees in the eco-system. The "Rig Veda" mentions 67 medicinal plants and trees. All the "Vedas" describe aspects of the eco-system. It was the first collection of spiritual texts to describe the eco-system in such detail.

Trees do so much for our planet. They increase oxygen, improve air quality, fight global warming, conserve water, support wildlife and stop erosion of the soil. In the process of photosynthesis, trees reduce carbon dioxide and increase oxygen levels four times in your environment. They shelter you from rain and wind. Planting trees actually reduces your electric bill 30% in the summer and 20% to 50% in the winter.

Trees provide fruit, seeds, nuts, herbs, flowers, bark and shelter animals and people from the weather. Many animals and birds consume fruit, herbs, flowers, seeds, nuts and bark like humans do. Trees are a spiritual and energy haven from stress. You can pray, do yoga and do Qigong under the shade of trees. Shade cools you down in the summer time and provides relief from heat and wind.

In Hinduism we consider trees as part of Brahman or the Divine Consciousness. Plants and trees have souls and consciousness like humans do. Their nervous systems are also similar to the nerves systems of human beings. We reverence them and some Hindus even worship them with rituals.

Certain trees are considered to be very sacred and have medicinal and spiritual qualities. Neem is connected with Garuda, the transport and sacred eagle of Lord Vishnu. Neem is anti-bacterial and anti-viral. The elixir of immorality was dropped by Garuda onto this tree. This is why it is so powerful. When I had a bad throat cold, it was neem leaves which helped me recover. Lord Vishnu is the preserver and the savior of humanity.

The fig or pipal tree is connected with Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of health, wealth and prosperity. She is also called the goddess of fortune and is the consort of Lord Vishnu. Figs provide nutrition and energy to people and animals.

The kadam tree is most closely connected with Lord Vishnu. Krishna was very fond of the kadam tree. Many of his lilas, or past times, happened under the kadam tree. Krishna also liked the banyan tree because it saved his life in the great flood. In the "Bhagvat Purana" Krishna gave his great discourse on the greatness of trees calling them "great sentient beings." It was an early spiritual text which described the tree's role in the eco-system. Krishna loved trees more than any other part of the eco-system. He loved Mother Earth so much he married her as his third wife, Satyabhama.

Shiva is connected with the Rudraksha tree. Those who worship Him wear rosaries made of seeds from this tree. They wear these rosaries during meditation. Shiva is the Supreme Yogi and the great meditator of all time. He is also connected with the amla, banyan, bel and pipal trees. Shiva is the Destroyer, Liberator and recreates something new as he eliminates negative habits and lifestyles.

Trees are often planted in groves around Hindu temples or mandirs. They are aligned with constellations of the Zodiac, stars and planets. These are considered sacred groves and worship rituals happen frequently in these groves.

Mother Sita told her sons never to cut green wood. Dead wood was used for cooking and for heating fuel, Cutting a living tree was considered unacceptable. Sita is connected with the Ashoka tree because She sat under this tree. She is the daughter of Mother Earth, Mother Bhumi, and the consort of Lord Ram. Neem is connected with Mother Sita in northern India.

The Buddha gained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in India. It is also called the pipal tree and is the King of trees in Hinduism. Lord Buddha is considered to be the 9th incarnation of Lord Vishnu by many Hindus. He is the reforming aspect of Divinity.

Coconut trees are important because they contains the nut which is used in many rituals, especially pujas. Some say the eyes of the coconut represent Lord Shiva. Pujas ideally should be conducted in nature because the energies in nature are more powerful than any other energy source. The ideal source in nature is near bodies of water.

The mango tree is also important in Hinduism. The branches are used at yagnas. The leaves are sacred and absorb negative energies entering households of devotees. The mango is the healthiest fruit because it has a great balance of Vitamin C & A and is both sweet and tart in taste. Soda pop is unhealthy, with nine negative health effects, and cannot compare to the great nutrition and taste of a mango fruit.

In these days of global warming we all can be like the Africans who are planting trees in a big belt in a large part of Central Africa. They have committed themselves to this task. More mayors and politicians all over the world are also doing this to help the eco-system improve on Mother Earth. If everyone plants trees we can, at the very least, mitigate the effects of global warming. On this Earth Day and every day be the change we want to be in the world. Plant more trees! What a great thing to do on Earth Day! Happy Earth Day!

JAI SHRI MOTHER EARTH! JAI SHRI MA! JAI SHRI TREES!

Radhapriestess