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.
Amidst a wonderful garden stood tall the Ashoka Tree, beneath its vast canopy was a little girl named Namami lying in the lap of her Nani, whom the little girl often referred to as the Nani full of tree stories. Her Nani had spent most of her time in a forest close to her village, so she had a great understanding of trees, their values and benefits. Namami enjoyed listening to tree stories from her Nani, and today, Namami was insisting that Nani narrate a story. But every time Namami said, “Nani, tell me a tree story,” Nani would reply, “Arre Beta, my child, I have already told you so many.” Finally, Nani agreed and said, “Okay, do you know under which tree you are sitting and its benefits, Namami?” Namami said, “I know it is Ashoka but I don’t know much about it, Nani.” Nani then said, “Well, let’s hear it from the tree.” Namami’s eyes opened wide as to how the tree would speak and in a fraction of seconds it began:
“Hari Om! Namami, I am Ashoka Tree, also known as Sita Ashoka in India. In Tamil I am known as Ashogam or Anagam tree. In Sanskrit I am known as Anganapriya or Apashaka tree. My botanical name is Saraca asoca and S. asoca for short. I am known for my ayurvedic properties. I have a huge family called Fabaceae with 794 genera and nearly 20,000 species. We are native to the Indian subcontinent found in the Deccan plateau, Western Ghats and we are also scattered in some parts of the northern plains. We are rain-forest trees. We are comparatively slow growing trees as we believe it takes time for a tree’s glow to grow. Our height ranges up to 20 to 25 metres. We grow best in warm and humid conditions as we need direct, bright and natural sunlight. We grow in an ideal temperature of 16 to 32 degrees Celsius. We also require well drained soil. My family and I have a fair lifespan of 50 years. We have a well rooted connection with our epic, the Ramayana, in a very special way.”
Namami then said, “Hari Om Ashoka, will you tell me more about your health benefits? I am very keen to know as I have heard a lot about your health benefits from Nani but couldn’t figure out much in detail.” Ashoka in reply said, “Well why not my dear friend. I am glad to know that I am famous in your conversations with Nani. So, from my root to shoot I am very useful in terms of health relief and benefits. In the Charka Samhita, a Sanskrit text on ayurveda, I am of great ayurvedic importance, as I hold esteemed status for my multifaceted therapeutic properties. My bark, rich in astringent and cooling qualities, is prized for supporting menstrual health and addressing uterine disorders like dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia.
My leaves are revered for their anti-microbial and antioxidant action, aiding in the treatment of infections.
Ayurvedic formulations utilize my extracts to promote digestive wellness and cardiovascular balance, reflecting my profound significance in wholistic healing, do you have any other questions Namami?”
“Of course Ashoka Tree, I am so amazed by how marvellous you are as a tree. I am full of questions, as I love nature I want to know how exactly do you contribute to our environment in a unique way?” Ashoka then said, “Well, you do have very reasonable questions, Namami. I contribute significantly to the environment. My dense foliage provides ample shade, cooling the surrounding area and reducing temperatures, thus mitigating the urban heat. Moreover, my extensive root system helps in preventing soil erosion, stabilizing slopes, and retaining soil moisture. Through photosynthesis, I absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, improving air quality. Additionally, my flowers attract pollinators, supporting biodiversity in the ecosystem and contributing to the ecological balance.”
“Wow Ashoka, you really are an eco-guardian, let me think of some other questions?” Nani then says, “Ashoka, why don’t you tell Namami about your cultural significance?” Ashoka said, “Sure Nani. Namami, I am often a part of various festivals and poojas such as Basant Panchami, Ugadi, Navaratri, Vishu either through rituals or the decoration of the festivals.”
“Ashoka, now tell me about your economic potential.” Ashoka, “I give you a brief overview. I offer economic opportunities across sectors: in the medicinal industry for herbal remedies; in the cosmetic industry for skincare products, as ornamental use in landscaping, wood craft for furniture, eco-tourism initiatives, and environmental services such as carbon sequestration. My diverse applications contribute to livelihoods, conservation efforts and sustainable development, highlighting my economic significance beyond my cultural and medicinal value.”
Namami, “Well I got to learn a lot of fascinating things about you today and hope to meet you soon.” Nani, “Wait, Ashoka won’t you tell us about your connection with god, to my granddaughter? My own Nani narrated many stories about you and your connection with god.”
Ashoka, “How could I forget. Namami I hold special significance in Hinduism. I am considered a symbol of love, because the Hindu God of love, Kamdev, is said to have used my flowers as one of the five flowers in his quiver. I also hold a special relationship with Devi Parvati, in the Matsya Purana she mentioned, ‘An Ashoka Tree is equal to ten sons.’ It is also believed that I, the Ashoka Tree granted Devi Parvati a daughter, but it is still not sure whether it was me or the Banyan Tree. During Navaratri goddess Navdurga is worshiped with my flower and even Lord Vishnu is worshipped with my flower for sacred reasons.
In the Vishnu Purana, there is a mention of the Ashoka Vatika, the garden in Ravana’s palace. It was in the Ashoka Vana that Mandodari, queen of Ravana, came to meet Sita Mata and it is also the place where Hanuman first meets Sita Mata under me, Ashoka Tree. In the Ramayana, there is a mention of me where Sita Devi, wife of Lord Rama, took shelter under the canopy of my tree in Lanka, when in the captivity of Ravana. It is said that I bent slightly, not only to provide shelter to Sita Mata, but also to show respect to her which is why I am a symbol of love and protector of women. I have been mentioned in numerous places in the Ramayana. I am a decorative tree in the palace of queen Kaikeyi in Ayodhya. I was also a tree in Panchavati.
Finally, I also hold significance in Buddhism and Jainism as it is believed that Mahavira meditated under the shade of my tree in Vaishali during his exile in the forest as he went on the path of enlightenment. Lord Buddha was born in Lumbini Garden beneath me. In Jainism I am considered as a symbol of growth, enlightenment and prosperity.”
Namami, “You are so majestic in every aspect from ayurveda to the environment, to economics, to cultural and religious significance. You truly are magnificent, Thank you, Ashoka Tree.”
Ashoka Tree, “Thank you Nani for introducing Namami to me. I am glad that you are happy to know about me but I am sad that despite my uses and benefits people are not understanding my value and so are not taking steps to protect me. Currently I am vulnerable; if you will not help me, I will be endangered and soon extinct which is why I need your help to protect my family and yours as well. So please think about me and take action.
That was the Ashoka sharing its importance, benefits and values. With this understanding, I also realized that the Ashoka Tree holds a deep association with Realize.
This is a special segment to share an extract of the entire article but in a creative way. This time it is short; it is a Haiku, the traditional Japanese poetry form of 3 lines with 5-7-5 syllables respectively, often nature themed, evoking simplicity and depth.
Ashoka aids health’s grace, Vedas praise its sacred place, Realization’s embrace.
Now I will request you to please recite the pledge as you read; don’t forget to fill in the blank.
I ________________________ promise to REALIZE my mistakes towards myself and the planet and help in protecting the Bael tree. I will hereby take good care of the environment and protect planet earth by planting more trees, spreading environment awareness and living a yogic-sustainable lifestyle. |
I hope you are following your Eco Resolution Diary for all the trees. Here are some questions for you to check how well you understand the importance of the Ashoka Tree and its sankalpa REALIZE 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: