Vriksh Sankalpa – Nature Our Teacher

Prasiddhi Singh

Vriksh Sankalpa – Nature Our Teacher is an eco-yogic series talking of nature, culture and learning to inspire everyone not just to think but also to act.

A lesson from the Bael Tree

Hari Om. I am Bael also known as Wood Apple in English. In Sanskrit I am known as Bilva, Shivadruma (tree of Shiva) or Sriphal. My botanical name is Aegle marmelos, A. marmelos for short. I am known for my great medicinal values. I have a huge family called Rutaceae with 158 genera and 1,900 species. We are native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Tamil Nadu. I am found in dry, open forests on hills and plains at altitudes from 0 to 3,937 feet. We are deciduous shrubs to medium-sized trees of up to 43 feet. I and my family have a lifespan of about 80 to 100 years. I originated in India and other parts of Southeast Asia, but I am also found almost everywhere in various different ways, let me share with you how.

Well, let’s start with my health benefits. I am abundant in vitamins particularly A, B and C, and also rich in carbohydrates, iron, potassium and calcium, and full of protein. I am a life saver in conditions like diabetes, digestive and skin problems, constipation, scurvy, earaches, heart problems and even problems with hair. You also use my oil to stay fresh and relaxed, in fact even a dry powder made from my pulp has anti-inflammatory, carminative and anti-bacterial properties. In the Skandapurana it has been written that I have originated from the droplets of sweat from goddess Parvati which fell on Mandrachal Parvat.

Let me share a few accomplishments:

1. In Ayurveda I have been given the title ‘The Healing Plant’ as I have of multiple health benefits.
2. I have been included as one among the Dasmula or Ten Roots of different ayurvedic medicinal trees which are vital for the formulation of any kind of ayurvedic medication.
3. Health Products from Fruit to Root: There are various kinds of health products that can be made from my fruits, flowers and leaves. Starting from my fruit, when it is fresh it can be used to make Bael Sherbat also called Bael Pana. When my fruit is dry it can be used as pulp powder, toffee, squash, murabba, jam, candy or even nectar. The extract of my leaf can be used to control the cholesterol level in the blood or can even be eaten as salad greens. My roots have high ayurvedic potential which is why I am also one among the Dasmula. The extract of my bark is also used in traditional remedies.
4. My connection with God: In the Sri Suktam of the Rig Veda. I appear as the abode of Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of prosperity and wealth. Even Goddess Parvati’s abode is in my leaves, fruits and flowers which is why Lord Shiva is fond of me. I am also the incarnation of the great Goddess Sati, also known as Mata Sati. My trifoliate leaves symbolize the three eyes and the trident of Lord Shiva. My leaf also symbolizes Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, the Trimurti, and their functions of creation, preservation and destruction.
   It also represents sattwa, rajas and tamas. Sattwa is the positive energy, tamas is the negative energy and rajas is dynamic energy. I also have great value in Buddhist and Jain cultures. I am revered in countries such as Sri Lanka, Nepal and Malaysia.
5. My economic potential & environmental support: By encouraging farmers, especially small scale farmers to grow my tree, farmers will have a wide financial scope as I am used in all the ayurvedic preparation and have multiple health benefits. This gives farmers financial support and in  addition utilizing my tree in the right way will help strengthen rural communities. If my tree is grown through sustainable methods such as regenerative agriculture, it will support the environment. The shell of my fruit can be used as an efficient, low-cost absorbent to eliminate heavy metals such as chromium from polluted or drinking water. I am also an important food source for the biodiverse life forms, specifically in the wild.
   But I am sad that despite my uses and benefits people do not understand my value and so are not protecting me. Currently I am under threat and if you do not help we will be vulnerable and soon extinct. This is why I need your help to protect my family and yours as well. So please think about me and take action accordingly.

Sankalpa – GIVE

So this was the Bael Tree explaining its importance, benefits and values. While I realized how useful and beneficial Bael is, I also realized that Give is a type of positive action that comes from within our soul. This is something that we can learn from Bael, because Bael does not only give from root to fruit, but it also grows in places where other trees cannot. It can grow in a wide range of soil conditions, it is tolerant of waterlogging and has an unusually high temperature tolerance from 7° to 48°C. Thus we can understand that in every condition the Bael Tree gives to society – from its fruits to its roots and in almost every condition it gives. Similarly, we should also give to society, the community and planet whatever we can and in whatever best way possible and in whatever situation.

Now I will request you to please recite the pledge as you read; don’t forget to fill in the blank.

I hope you are following your Eco-Resolution Diary for the Palm Tree – SERVE and the Sandalwood Tree – LOVE. Here are some questions for you to check how well you understand the importance of the Bael Tree and its sankalpa GIVE in your life and how well you fulfil your pledge. Remember, you should not only think but also act. This is a weekly tick box for your Eco-Resolution Diary:

1. Did I plant, water or take care of a tree?
2. Did I talk about the environment to friends and neighbours?
3. Have I been practising GIVE to live a yogic-sustainable lifestyle? In what ways have I done this?
4. Has the Bael Tree become part of my worship?
5. Have I started supporting local and native produce by shopping from local vendors?
6. Have I started practising the beauty of Giving like the Bael Tree?