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 Palash Tree

Hari Om. I am Palash, also known as Flame-of-the-Forest Tree, Dhak Tree, Palas Tree, Parrot Tree. In Sanskrit I am known as Palasha tree. My botanical name is Butea monosperma and B. monosperma for short. I am known for my vibrant red and orange flowers that bloom in clusters, resembling flames. I have a huge family called Fabaceae with 765 genera and about 20,000 known species. We are native to tropical and sub-tropical parts of South Asia and Southeast Asia. We are dry, deciduous trees and my flowers frequently have a spectacular late winter bloom from February to April. We are slow growing trees, our height ranges between 10 to 15 metres. We are tolerant to climatic conditions between 30 to 35 degree Celsius. My family and I can live up to a fair amount of years. I originated in Bihar and Jharkhand which have Dhak forests covering much of the area between the Ganga and the Yamuna rivers where I too am found or was found; just read on ..

To explain my importance further I will introduce you to my Top 5 benefits:

1. My Health Benefits from Root to Fruit: While being known for my vibrant hues, I offer a spectrum of health benefits owing to my rich composition of beneficial compounds. My seeds, when ground into powder, exhibit promising potential in managing diabetes by aiding in the regulation of blood sugar levels and improving glucose tolerance. Additionally, my bark accelerates wound healing processes. Beyond these specific benefits, various parts of me, including my flowers, leaves, and wood pulp, have long been utilized in traditional medicine for treating a range of ailments such as dyspepsia, skin conditions and eye inflammation. However, it is imperative to seek professional medical advice before incorporating any of my herbal remedies into one’s healthcare regimen.
2. My Economic Potential: Beyond my medicinal value, I offer opportunities across various sectors due to my versatile applications and sustainable attributes. My bark yields tannins utilized in leather processing industries, while my vibrant flowers contribute to natural dyes for textiles, bolstering the textile and fashion sectors. Additionally, I hold promise in agroforestry systems, providing shade and nitrogen fixation benefits to agricultural crops, thereby enhancing soil fertility and crop yields. Furthermore, cultivating me for my various products can create employment opportunities and stimulate rural economies. Harnessing my economic potential requires implementing sustainable management practices to ensure long term viability while promoting socio-economic development.
3. My Environmental Support: I provide vital environmental support by preventing soil erosion with my extensive root system, offering habitat for wildlife, enriching soil through nitrogen fixation, aiding in reforestation efforts for carbon sequestration, and facilitating pollination with my vibrant flowers, thus fostering biodiversity and ecosystem health.
4. My Cultural Essence: In West Bengal, with my fiery orange flowers, admired by poets like Rabindranath Tagore, I am celebrating spring’s arrival. In Santiniketan, they are essential to spring celebrations. The town Palashi is named after me. In Jharkhand, I am the revered State Flower, linked to folk traditions as the forest fire. Telangana uses my flowers in worship during Sivaratri, Kerala uses me in fire rituals, and Tamil Brahmins utilize my bark in agnihotra rituals. Maharashtra enjoys a refreshing summer beverage from my flowers, while across India, my leaves serve as leaf plates, and my flowers create traditional Holi colours and fabric dyes, including the vibrant Butein. Throughout these cultural narratives, I am revered as a symbol of vitality, enlightenment and spiritual significance.
5. My Connection with God: According to legend, I originated from a falcon’s feather infused with soma. As per Vayu Purana, the plant’s origin is marked by the right side of Yama’s body. This revered tree holds significance for both Hindus and Buddhists, believed to be the very tree under which the second Lord Buddha, Medhankara Buddha, attained enlightenment or Bodhi. The religious symbolism of the tree lies in the trifoliate formation of my leaf – with the middle part representing Bhagavan Srihari Vishnu, Brahma on the left, and Mahadev Shiva on the right.

Legend has it that during a discussion among the Devas about the greatness of the Gayatri Mantra beneath me, I, with my exceptional hearing ability, grew three leaves at once. This led to me being named Susravas, meaning a tree with the best hearing ability. In the Vedas, I am referred to as a symbol of attentive learning, akin to a brahmachari vidyarthi grasping the Guru’s teachings in the gurukula. During the thread ceremony, the brahmachari is traditionally presented with a staff made from my wood.

In the Mahabharata, Sage Jamadagni performed a sacrifice to the gods in the forest where I dwell. References to me are found in both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Legend has it that Queen Mahamaya seized a branch of mine at the very moment of the birth of her son, Gautam Buddha. Another legend suggests that Brahma, cursed by Goddess Parvati, transformed into me. Most significantly, I embody Agni, the God of fire and war.

So my amazing friends, I am glad that my friend Prasiddhi gave me the opportunity to connect with all of you. I am sad to share that people are starting to forget me and my importance. So please think of me and my family

Sankalpa – Do Good

That was the Palash Tree sharing about its economic, environ­ mental, sacred, cultural essence, and of course its health benefits. I hope you had a mind-boggling time while reading about the Palash Tree. While understanding about how useful and beneficial Palash is, I also realized that the Palash Tree, being, a remarkable tree, holds a deep association with Do Good. Three great examples are:

1. Palash exemplifies goodness through its legendary ability to listen attentively. As the tree that grew three leaves at once upon hearing the Devas discuss the Gayatri Mantra, Palash teaches us the value of attentive learning and understanding, embodying the essence of doing good through its actions.
2. The Palash staff, given to a brahmachari during his ceremony, symbolizes their commitment to learning and righteousness. Palash reinforces the importance of moral values and spiritual growth, reflecting the essence of doing good.
3. Palash’s vibrant red flowers serve as a striking reminder of the beauty of goodness. Just as its blossoms stand out amidst green foliage, the red hue of its flowers symbolizes passion, courage and vitality, all qualities associated with doing good.

In this way, Palash inspires us to bloom brightly with acts of kindness, compassion and moral integrity, spreading the essence of goodness wherever we go to create a happier, better world for ourselves and the future generations!

Creative Vriksh

This is a special segment to share an extract of the entire article but in a creative way.

In the heart of land, Palash tree stands a special tree with medicinal values at hand A form of Agni making the tree grand adored by Devi, in the great epics it is found.

In the tales of Ramayan’s grand embrace to being in Mahabharat with great grace With Soma and Yama in its base

An economic boon, communities’ backbone yet beyond riches there is a love for earth always grown A friend to environment full of nature’s happiness with its red flowers a symbol of its divine goodness
So let us cherish, this tree of cultural lore, A bridge to past and future, forever more.

In its red flowers, we find goodness’ gentle call, Palash tree, a blessing, beloved by all.

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, Neem, Sandalwood, Bael, Peepal, Ashoka, Coconut. To help you, here are some questions for you to check how well you understand the importance of the Palash Tree and its sankalpa to DO GOOD 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:

• Did I plant, water or take care of a tree?
• Did I talk about the environment to friends and neighbours?
• Have I been practising Doing Good to live a yogic-sustainable lifestyle?
• Have I told 3 people about the importance of the Palash Tree or Doing Good?
• Did I include Palash in my lifestyle somehow?
• Have I started to include the Palash Tree in my cultural tradition or worship?