Pimpal (in marathi)
Other names : Bodhi (in sanskrit), peepal (in Hindi), Piplo (in gujrathi), Bo or Sacred Ficus (in English)
Scientific Name : Ficus religiosa
Pimpal tree is worship in konkan. (Parikrama) moving around a holy pimple tree is done for bressings.
Benefits of Pimpal :
Pimpal tree is of great medicinal value. The peepal is used extensively in Ayurveda.
Description : Pimpal is a large, fast growing deciduous tree. It has a
heart shaped leaves. It is a medium size tree and has a large crown with the
wonderful wide spreading branches. It shed its leaves in the month of March and
April. The fruits of the Peepal are hidden with the figs. The figs are ripen in
the month of May. The figs which contain the flowers grow in pairs just below
the leaves and look like the berries. Its bark is light gray and peels in
patches. Its fruit is purple in colour. It is one of the longest living trees.
Cultivation : Pimpal tree is easily propagated through the seeds or
through the cuttings. It can grow in any type of soil. Young pimpal needs proper
nourishment. It requires full sunlight and proper watering.
How is it possible that pimpal tree releases oxygen all the time?
Most
plants largely uptake Carbon dioxide (CO{-2})and release oxygen during the day
(photosynthesis) and uptake oxygen and release CO{-2} during the night
(respiration). Some plants such as Pimpal tree can uptake CO{-2} during the
night as well because of their ability to perform a type of photosynthesis
called Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM).
However, it is not true that they release large amounts of oxygen during the
night. CAM is one of the three types of photosynthesis pathways occurring
commonly in plants; the other two being C3 and C4 pathways.
Mythology
Ashwatha, the Pimpal tree is sacred to Hindus as well as Buddhists. Ashwatha literally means "Where horses stood" (ashwa + tha). In ancient times, horses were the main form of transportation and every village or town on the highway perhaps boasted of a Ashwatha tree with its all pervading grandeur, providing shelter to the creatures.
During the Vedic period, its wood was used to make fire by friction. Also in vedic times, boats were made of pimpal wood.
The Brahma Purana and the Padma Purana, relate how once, when the demons defeated the gods, Vishnu hid in the pimpal. Therefore spontaneous worship to Vishnu can be offered to a pimpal without needing his image or temple. The Skanda Purana Pimpal Tree also considers the pimpal a symbol of Vishnu. He is believed to have been born under this tree.
Some believe that the tree houses the Trimurti, the roots being Brahma, the trunk Vishnu and the leaves Shiva. The gods are said to hold their councils under this tree and so it is associated with spiritual understanding.
In the Upanishads, the fruit of the pimpal is used as an example to explain the difference between the body and the soul: the body is like the fruit which, being outside, feels and enjoys things, while the soul is like the seed, which is inside and therefore witnesses things.
According to the Skanda Purana, if one does not have a son, the pimpal should be regarded as one. As long as the tree lives, the family name will continue.
To cut down a pimpal is considered a sin equivalent to killing a Brahmin, one of the five deadly sins or Panchapataka. According to the Skanda Purana, a person goes to hell for doing so.
Some people are particular to touch the pimpal only on a Saturday. The Brahma Purana explains why, saying that Ashvattha and Peepala were two demons who harassed people. Ashvattha would take the form of a pimpal and Peepala the form of a Brahmin. The fake Brahmin would advise people to touch the tree, and as soon as they did, Ashvattha would kill them. Later they were both killed by Shani. Because of his influence, it is considered safe to touch the tree on Saturdays. Lakshmi is also believed to inhabit the tree on Saturdays. Therefore it is considered auspicious to worship it then.
Once, all the gods decided to visit shiva. however, narad
informed them that it was an inappropriate time for a visit as shiva and parvati
were in solitude. but indra did not heed the advice and assured the gods that
there was nothing to fear when he was there to protect them. narad reported
indra's arrogance to goddess parvati. she cursed the gods that they, along with
their wives, would turn into trees. when the gods asked for forgiveness, she
promised that as trees, they would attain fame. thus indra turned into a mango
tree, brahma became a palash tree and vishnu turned into a pimpal tree.
Once, agni (the fire god) left the land of the gods, took the form of ashwattha
and resided on the pimpal tree for a year. since then, pimpal is also known as
ashwattha. according to padmapuran , vishnu turned into a pimpal tree
because of a curse by sage ambarish.
Ritualistically speaking, Hindu women worship Pimpal for the boon of male offspring. According to the Atharva Veda Pimpal tree is considered as benefactor of mankind by blessing barren women with children. Thus the tree is considered potent with fertility. So we can see that Pimpal tree is worshipped for its multifarious medicinal and utilitarian value as well.
The pimpal is also closely linked to Krishna. In the Bhagavad Gita, he says: "Among trees, I am the ashvattha." Krishna is believed to have died under this tree, after which the present Kali Yuga is said to have begun.
Lord Sri Krishna has said in Bhagawad Gita that the holy fig tree personifies his own glory. The five-trees (Pancha-vat) are considered as very sacred in India, they are:-
Among these the holy fig tree is considered as the most sacred.
Reference :
Last Updated on : December 26, 2008