Rudraksha or रूद्राक्ष or Elaeocarpus sphaericus

from http://nationalbeadsociety.com/articles/rudraksa.html
RUDRAKSA ( ALSO PRONOUNCED RUDRAKSHA)
by Jennifer Gerard
(This article was originally printed in the newsletter of the Bead Society of Greater Washington.)

At the Spring Bead Bazaar 2000, Gretchen Dunn noticed several knobby-seeded Himalayan prayer necklaces at our booth, A World of Good, Inc. She asked me about the different colors of these beads known as, rudraksa. At the time, I knew only that there were four different colors of Rudraksa and that they were supposedly naturally occurring colors. Inspired by her queries, I did a little research on my latest trip to Nepal last May. The information that I gathered is as vast as it is entertaining.

Often in the U.S., we see rudraksa seeds sold in strands of 108 beads. You may already know, 108 is the typical number of beads on both Hindu and Buddhist ?rosaries,? called mala. (Mala is generically used in Nepal to mean necklace made of beads. But it is interesting to note that a translation of the Sanskrit for mala is garland.) Most often, the rudraksa prayer beads are worn by the devotees of Shiva. The common mythology about these beads is astounding. They are reputed to have powers for curing all manners of ailments and for absolving the most horrific sins. A single ?one mukhi? bead virtually guarantees Nirvana!

The rudraksa bead is the dried fruit of the Elaeocarpus Ganitrus. Rudraksa translates directly as: Rudra=Shiva?s aksa=Eye. In effect, they are pleasing to the eye of Shiva. The plants themselves are said to have spontaneously generated from the tears of Lord Shiva. (1) These plants are primarily found growing on the islands of Indonesia. However, 15%-20% of the commercially grown plants are found growing in Nepal and Uttar Pradesh, India. (2)

Rudraksha come in a variety of colors and sizes. When they become ripe, before they are dried, their color is a deep blue. (3) But when they are dried they become various shades of brown. According to Shiva in the ?Rudraksabalopanisad,? another religious Hindu text, all people should wear rudraksa in colors associated with their own varnas (castes). These colors are white, red, yellow and black. (4)

In the Katmandu markets I have seen rudraksa that are light brown (white), and red brown, orange brown (yellow) and dark brown (black). When I asked my supplier, Shree Aggarwal of Kathmandu, about the colors I have been seeing in Nepal, I was told that the natural color of the dried seed is orange brown. The natural color was demonstrated to me by cracking and peeling the smooth dark brown dried outer shell of a rudraksa. Indeed the dried fruit inside was an orange brown color. I was also told that when they are soaked in water for about 2 hours they become red and when they are placed in oil and rubbed they will become dark brown. However, after consulting a rudraksa mala manufacturer and distributor, I was told that the red color was likely to be produced by a non-toxic clothing dye used on inexpensive rudraksa to protect the seed from moths. (5) As an experiment, I soaked some of my orange brown beads for 2 hours and noticed that they did change to a reddish brown color while they were wet but turned back to the orange brown color when they dried out.

By far the most interesting things that I discovered about these beads are the complex and seriously held beliefs about them. Most of the powers of the Rudraksa seem to be associated with the number of mukhis (mouths) that the bead has. The mukhi is a furrow on the surface of the seed. These furrows give each seed sections, like an orange. Usually there are five furrows or sections to the seed. Some can be found with different numbers of sections and this is where it becomes interesting. The following particular examples are taken from an information flyer titled ?Welcome Rudraksha Lovers!? distributed by Rudraksa vendors in Kathmandu. (I did not change the spelling or grammar so that the flavor of the flyer would remain intact.)

One-facet Rudraksha is possessing form of Shiva. It eliminates Brahma Hatya and the like sins.
Three-facet Rudraksha repels the sin of the murdering an woman.
Four-facet Rudraksha is a form of Brahma which eliminates the sin of murdering of a man.
Five-facet Rudraksha eliminates the sin accrued by eating forbidden food and sitting with the woman with whom conjugal connection is forbidden.
Six-facet Rudraksha repels the sin of murdering a Brahmin.
Seven-facet Rudraksha is the carnation of Dhana Laxmi, Goddess of wealth, Saptarishi Arjun and Anang.

Nine-facet Rudraksha dispels the sin accrued by murdering hundreds of Brahmins and thousands of foeticides.

This is just an excerpt of a lay person?s notion of the powers of the 14 different mukhis. Similar claims of the Rudraksa?s power can be found in many places in voluminous detail and are derived from historical Hindu texts. 20 Stanzas of the Siva Purana alone are devoted to what will happen when one wears beads on the head, arms, eyes or other body parts. (6) Also, it is believed that the powers are not limited to spiritual benefits. There is a plethora of physical benefits one might redeem as well. Cures for Smallpox, Blood Pressure and heart ailments, Tuberculosis, Hysteria and ?women related diseases?, and Malaria are claimed to be derived from the wearing of Rudraksa or drinking of an infusion of Rudraksa.

With all of these spectacular claims it is not surprising that faux rudraksa are on the market. But, there are some rather surprising tests of authenticity that some suggest can tell the true from the false beads. It is claimed that a true rudraksa will spin if held between two copper coins. I tried placing a rudraksa on a tabletop between to pennies and again by dangling it on a string between two pennies. Nothing happened. Another purported test is to try floating the rudraksa in water or milk. If it floats it?s wood, if it sinks it?s a rudraksa. When I tried this test, the seeds sank and in a few minutes the water turned bright yellow. I can?t claim to know about the validity of these tests. But, it seems likely that a very desirable bead could be weighted so that it would sink. I guess the best option would be to buy your rudraksa from a reputable source.

There is certainly much more information about Rudraksa than I can relate here. And, there are millions of people who do not take the healing properties nor auspicious benefits lightly. If you are interested in more information you might try these sources:
*******************

from http://www.rudrakshanepal.com/rudra_farm.php
RUDRAKSHA is a large evergreen broad-leaved tree. Its scientific name being Elaeocarpus ganitrus, the family is tiliaceae. Altitude-wise, its habitat starts from sea-coast and goes up to 2,000 meters. Geographically it is found growing naturally and abundantly in tropical and subtropical areas. The trees are perennial in habitat. The trees are almost 50ft to 200ft in height.. According to old mythology " Siva Purana" that the favorites of Lord Siva , Rudraksha trees grow in Gouda Land which in present era is the area of the Gangetic Plain on the southern border area of Asia to the foothills of great Himalaya . Thus, starting from Manila, passing through Myanmar, plains as well as low hills, its habitat extends to Bengal, Assam and adjoining north-eastern states, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal .In present era Rudraksha trees are basically localized in Nepal and the southern part of Asia.

Rudraksha Plant
Elaeocarpus is a large genius of evergreen trees. It has nearly 36 sister species, including Rudraksha. All trees bearing white flowers with fringed petals developing into drupaceous fruit resembling olive. The main trunk of rudraksha tree is cylindrical. Its section is circular. Bark is grayish white and rough in texture with small vertical lenticels and narrow horizontal furrows. The branches of Rudraksha spread in all directions is such a way that when growing in natural habitat, the crown takes the shape of a pyramid. The leaves of rudraksha are shining green above and dull coriaceous below. The flowers are ovoid, conical, elongate, nearly 1 to 2 cm in diameter. The fruit is globose and drupaceous having a fleshy exterior. The beads inside is hard and tubercled. .Farming of Rudraksha is a difficult process due to its slow sprouting from the beads which usually takes about 1 to 2 years depending on the humidity of soil. Rudraksha is basically grown in subtropical climatic region with temperature ranges from 25to 30degree centigrade. Once Rudraksha are planted it starts giving fruit after 7 years and thereafter for long time. In the single tree Rudraksha beads comes in all different faces at the same time but higher mukhis or faces are vary rare to find where most of Rudraksha beads are five faces .The Himalayan Beads simply seem to be larger, heavier and more powerful due to the environment they grow in. So it is a certainty that environment and specifically the location of the Rudraksa Trees plays a key role in their growth.Rudraksha tree are easy to grow and once established,a rudraksha tree will last for years with a little care.

Rudra Bhandar have its own Rudraksha farm in rudra area located around 2500 to 3000ft altitude in Nepal.The farm give rise to enormous quantity of Rudraksha and we are able to supply any Faces and quantity of rudraksha for whole year.We are very proud to show our farming area on this web site to our valuable customers with details knowledge of Rudraksha Tree and its fruits.Rudra Bhandar has been distributing this holy beads to the various part of world since 1960 by collecting rudraksha from its own farm.

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bro thanks for info...i have ek mukha rudrashya...seriously...but it is not alive it is dead and i have been wearing it for last 2 yrs and it has been benefical..i dont know abut brahama hatya....but it has done something....but i still eat beef wearing it...i will post the pic of ek mukhye rudrashya worn by me....more info pls

u r welcome moneyminded,
r u sure u have एकमुखी रुद्राक्ष??? it is not a good combination with one who eats meat... forget about the combination of this and beef...anyway, ur choice
if it is a real एकमुखी रुद्राक्ष, u can test it by putting in water in a glass, after 5 minutes, water should be real warm...
if it doesn't, then may be its not real

Hi Neupane ji,
Thanks for such informative threads.
I need some help here as I need to find an english and scientific name of some wild medicinal plants (esp. fruits).
Local name: Aairi and Kunyesi
Locality: Karnali zone
Medicinal value: Aairi for external use to heal body pains and Kunyesi for people with heart problems and asthma(according to the local people)
Would appreciate thy help.

I never thought that Rudrax grow in a tree. great info thank you so much!!!!!

Marijuana or Gaanja or गाँजा or Cannabis Sativa or शिवबुटी
अब यसको बारेमा नेपालीहरुलाइ के भन्नु पर्छ र?

we already have a long discussion about it here http://sajha.com/sajha/html/openthread.cfm?forum=2&ThreadID=22921&show=all
from http://science.howstuffworks.com/marijuana1.htm

Cultivation of the Cannabis sativa plant dates back thousands of years. The first written account of cannabis cultivation is found in Chinese records dating from 28 B.C., according to the book "Buzzed: The Straight Facts About the Most Used and Abused Drugs from Alcohol to Ecstasy." However, the book's authors point out that the plant was likely cultivated long before then. They recount the discovery of a nearly 3,000-year-old Egyptian mummy containing traces of THC, the main psychoactive chemical in marijuana. It could be that cannabis was used as some type of medicinal herb during this time.

The recognizable marijuana leaf with five to seven leaflets attached at a center point

Hemp Products
The Cannabis sativa plant has many uses. Its stiff, fibrous stalk can be used to make lots of products, from food to ship sails. The stalk is comprised of two parts -- the hurd and the bast. The bast provides fibers that can be woven into many fabrics. These fibers (also called hemp) are woven to create canvas, which have been used to make ship sails for centuries.

The hurd provides pulp to make paper, oil to make paints and varnishes, and seed for food. Cannabis plants produce a high-protein, high-carbohydrate seed that is used in granola and cereals. Hemp oil and seed contain only trace amounts of psychoactive chemicals. Click here to learn more about hemp and its uses.

Owning hemp products, such as hemp rope or a hemp shirt, is legal. However, it is illegal to grow or possess marijuana in plant or drug form in the United States. Possession of the cannabis plant or marijuana is punishable by fines and possible jail sentences.
Cannabis sativa is perhaps the most recognizable plant in the world. Pictures of the ubiquitous green cannabis leaf show up in the news media, textbooks and drug-prevention literature, and the leaf's shape is made into jewelry, put on bumper stickers and clothing and spray-painted on walls. The leaves are arranged palmately, radiating from a common center like the fingers of a hand spreading apart. Although most people know what the cannabis plant looks like, they may know very little about its horticulture.

Cannabis sativa is believed to be a native plant of India, where it possibly originated in a region just north of the Himalayan mountains. It is a herbaceous annual that can grow to a height of between 13 and 18 feet (4 to 5.4 meters). The plant has flowers that bloom from late-summer to mid-fall. Cannabis plants usually have one of two types of flowers, male or female, and some plants have both. Male flowers grow in elongated clusters along the leaves and turn yellow and die after blossoming. Female flowers grow in spike-like clusters and remain dark green for a month after blossoming, until the seed ripens. Hashish, which is more powerful than marijuana, is made from the resin of the cannabis flowers.

Marijuana plants contain more than 400 chemicals, 60 of which fit into a category called cannabinoids, according to the National Institutes of Health. THC is just one of these cannabinoids, but it is the chemical most often associated with the effects that marijuana has on the brain. Cannabis plants also contain choline, eugenol, guaicacol and piperidine. The concentration of THC and other cannabinoids varies depending on growing conditions, plant genetics and processing after harvest. You'll learn more about the potency of THC and the toxicity of marijuana later.
Entering the Body
Every time a user smokes a marijuana cigarette or ingests marijuana in some other form, THC and other chemicals enter the user's body. The chemicals make their way through the bloodstream to the brain and then to the rest of the body. The most powerful chemical in marijuana is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), which is primarily responsible for the "high" associated with the drug.

The most common way of using marijuana is smoking. Smoking is also the most expedient way to get the THC and other chemicals into the bloodstream. When the smoke from marijuana is inhaled, the THC goes directly to the lungs. Your lungs are lined with millions of alveoli, the tiny air sacs where gas exchange occurs. These alveoli have an enormous surface area -- 90 times greater than that of your skin -- so they make it easy for THC and other compounds to enter the body. The smoke is absorbed by the lungs just seconds after inhaling.

You can also eat marijuana. In this case, the marijuana enters the stomach and the blood absorbs it there. The blood then carries it to the liver and the rest of the body. The stomach absorbs THC more slowly than the lungs. When marijuana is eaten, the levels of THC in the body are lower, but the effects last longer.
Marijuana and the Brain
THC is a very potent chemical compared to other psychoactive drugs. An intravenous (IV) dose of only one milligram (mg) can produce serious mental and psychological effects. Once in your bloodstream, THC typically reaches the brain within seconds after it is inhaled and begins to go to work.

Marijuana users often describe the experience of smoking marijuana as initially relaxing and mellow, creating a feeling of haziness and light-headedness. The user's eyes may dilate, causing colors to appear more intense, and other senses may be enhanced. Later, feelings of a paranoia and panic may be felt by the user. The interaction of the THC with the brain is what causes these feelings. To understand how THC acts on the brain, you need to know about the parts of the brain that are affected by the chemical. Here are the basics:

* Neurons are the cells that process information in the brain. Chemicals called neurotransmitters allow neurons to communicate with each other.
* Neurotransmitters fill the gap, or synapse, between two neurons and bind to protein receptors, which enable various functions and allow the brain and body to be turned on and off.
* Some neurons have thousands of receptors that are specific to particular neurotransmitters.
* Foreign chemicals, like THC, can mimic or block actions of neurotransmitters and interfere with normal functions.

In your brain, there are groups of cannabinoid receptors concentrated in several different places. These cannabinoid receptors have an effect on several mental and physical activities, including:

* Short-term memory
* Coordination
* Learning
* Problem solving

Cannabinoid receptors are activated by a neurotransmitter called anandamide. Anandamide belongs to a group of chemicals called cannabinoids. THC is also a cannabinoid chemical. THC mimics the actions of anandamide, meaning that THC binds with cannabinoid receptors and activates neurons, which causes adverse effects on the mind and body.

High concentrations of cannabinoid receptors exist in the hippocampus, cerebellum and basal ganglia. The hippocampus is located within the temporal lobe and is important for short-term memory. When the THC binds with the cannabinoid receptors inside the hippocampus, it interferes with the recollection of recent events. THC also affects coordination, which is controlled by the cerebellum. The basal ganglia controls unconscious muscle movements, which is another reason why motor coordination is impaired when under the influence of marijuana.
Other Physiological Effects
In addition to the brain, marijuana affects many other parts of the body. Marijuana is filled with hundreds of chemicals, and when it is burned, hundreds of additional compounds are produced. When marijuana is inhaled or ingested in some other form, several short-term effects occur. Some of these effects are:

* Problems with memory and learning
* Distorted perception
* Difficulty with thinking and problem solving
* Loss of coordination
* Increased heart rate
* Anxiety, paranoia and panic attacks

The initial effects created by the THC wear off within an hour or two after using marijuana, but the chemicals stay in your body for much longer. The terminal half-life of THC is from about 20 hours to 10 days, depending on the amount and potency of the marijuana used. This means that if you take one milligram of THC that has a half-life of 20 hours, you will still have 0.031 mg of THC in your body more than four days later. The longer the half-life, the longer the THC lingers in your body.

The Munchies
One peculiar phenomenon associated with marijuana use is the increased hunger that users feel, often called the "munchies." Research shows that marijuana increases food enjoyment and the number of times a person eats each day, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Until recently, the munchies were a relative mystery. However, a recent study by Italian scientists may explain what happens to increase appetite in marijuana users. Molecules called endocannabinoids bind with receptors in the brain and activate hunger.

This research indicates that endocannabinoids in the hypothalamus of the brain activate cannabinoid receptors that are responsible for maintaining food intake. The results of the study were published in an April 2001 issue of the scientific journal Nature.

The debate over the addictive capacity of marijuana continues. Ongoing studies now show a number of possible symptoms associated with the cessation of marijuana use. These symptoms most commonly include: irritability, nervousness, depression, anxiety and even anger. Other symptoms are restlessness, severe changes in appetite, violent outbursts, interrupted sleep or even insomnia. In addition to these possible physical effects, psychological dependence usually develops because a person's mind craves the high that it gets when using the drug.

Beyond these effects that marijuana has, marijuana smokers are susceptible to the same health problems as tobacco smokers, such as bronchitis, emphysema and bronchial asthma. Other effects include dry-mouth, red eyes, impaired motor skills and impaired concentration. Long-term use of the drug can increase the risk of damaging the lungs and reproductive system, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). It has also been linked to heart attacks.

Medicinal Uses
Although marijuana is known to have negative effects on the human body, there is a raging debate over the use of marijuana as a medical treatment. Some say that marijuana should be legalized for medical use because it has been known to suppress nausea, relieve eye pressure, decrease muscle spasms, stimulate appetite, stop convulsions and eliminate menstrual pain. Because of its therapeutic nature, marijuana has been used in the treatment of several conditions including: cancer and AIDS (to supress nausea and stimulate appetite), glaucoma (to alleviate eye pressure), epilepsy (to stop convulsions, and multiple sclerosis (to decrease muscle spasms).

Others believe the negative effects of marijuana use outweigh the positive. There are currently nine U.S. states that allow for the use of marijuana for medical purposes: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.
read more at http://science.howstuffworks.com/marijuana5.htm
हर हर महादेव
जय जय शिव शम्भो।।।
Hashis making instruction ;-)

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Hee, Once I had tried to make Charesh out of Ganja. It was funny, Ganja Leaves were already dry, it was an unsuccessful attempt.

If you have info about the TREES that are found in GORKHA-LAMJUNG- TANAHU-SHANJYA - & others. It would be great. Thanks Neupane Sir.

-BD

नेपानेको जय होस, आयु बढोस, सन्तान बढुन, श्रीसम्पति बढोस, यश बढोस....

बम भोले शंकर कैलाशपति जी


Keep rolling...

Saal or साल or Shorea robusta
vivid, i have no information about those plants
सिरि५, धेरै धेरै धन्यबाद भलो चिताएको मा :-)
Bd, you are welcome...here is one that is available everywhere in nepal

साल is the most important commercial timber used in construction in Nepal and most of indian territories.
सालको उपयोग धेरै छन्। पातको टपरी र दुना बनाईन्छ।
सालको रुखको बोक्रालाइ घन्टौँ पानीमा पकाएर "खोटो" निकालिन्छ। खोटो गाउँघर तिर दशैँमा ढोकामा कालो रङग लगाउन प्रयोग गरिन्छ। homemade black paint
सालको काठको बारेमा त सबैलाइ था छँदैछ। सालको काठको एउटा सानो कुर्सी पनि उचाल्न गारो हुन्छ भने सालको खाट उचाल्न त पहलमान नै बोलाउनु पर्छ।
from http://www.haryana-online.com/Flora/sal.htm

Leaves:

Sal (Shorea robusta) is a tall handsome tree providing very good quality timber. Its botanical family is dipterocarpaceae. In local languages it is called salwa, sakhu, sakher, shal, kandar and sakwa. Sal is a gregarious species and it forms the dominant composition in the forests where it occurs. It grows well in a well-drained, moist, sandy loam soil. It is a moderate to slow growing species and can attain a height upto 35 m and a girth of about 2 to 2.5 m in about 100 years under favorable conditions.

Sal forestSal trees are found from Burma in the East, to Assam, Bengal, Nepal, the Deccan Plateau, going up to the foothills of the Shivaliks on the left bank of the Yamuna river. In Haryana, Sal can be found in the Morni Hills and the Kalesar forest. Sal grows well in low height plains to foothills viz. Shivaliks from 200 to 1200 meters above mean sea level. But Sal growing in Nepal and Singhbhum district of Bihar are considered to be the best variety.

The bole of Sal tree is erect and cylindrical. The crown tends to be linear and sharp topped in young trees and round to flat in older ones. The bark of the young tree is smooth with a few long deep and vertical furrows. Its thickness is 2 to 5 cm. and color dark brown. Its texture is rough with peculiar longitudinal furrows in mature trees.

Sal tree is seldom completely leafless. In dry regions, however, it tends to shed practically all leaves for a short period from February to April. Fresh leaves appear during April to May depending upon the local climate. These are ovate-oblong in shape and 10 to 25 cm x 5 to 15 cm in size. The texture is tough and coriaceous with a typical shine on upper surface when fully mature.

The sal flowers, whitish in color, appear in early summer. These come out in auxiliary racemos panicles covered with white pubescence. They fruit during summer and the seeds ripen from June to July. These tend to germinate even while on the tree and accordingly begin to fall soon after appearance. The sap wood in Sal is of small thickness. It is whitish in color and less durable. Heart wood is pale when freshly cut and tends to grow dark brown on exposure. It is coarse grained, hard and of fibrous structure. Annual rings are visible in young trees or on freshly cut wood. Its pores are of moderate size. These are filled with a kind of resin which makes the wood naturally durable.

Sal wood is one of the three naturally lasting timbers of the Asian subcontinent, the other two being Teak and Deodar. It weighs nearly 25 to 30 kg to a cubic foot. It is difficult to plane and more so to drive a nail in to it. It is accordingly considered most suitable for railway sleepers, piles, beams and other load bearing parts of bridge structures, wheels and bodies of carts and other similar load carriers, including motor trucks, super structure of house tops, etc. In fact Sal wood is most suitable for all such applications where strength and elasticity are foremost requirements, and where polishing is not so very essential. Sal wood being so much sought after for construction purposes, its demand is much more than the available supply. The states having good Sal forests earn a lot of revenue.

Sal tree when tapped, yields white opaline resin which is burnt as incense in Hindu homes during religious ceremonies. It is also used for caulking boats and ships. The seeds are used for fat extraction. The oilcake, though rich in tannins (5-8%), has been used in proportions of up to 20% in concentrates for cattle without detrimental effects. As the protein remains completely undigested, the oilcake yields energy only. Sal seed cake can constitute up to 10% of poultry and pig rations without changes in performance. A kind of oil is also obtained from sal fruit which is used for burning in earthen lamps. It is also misused for adulterating ghee. Further, during famine poor people grind the fruit into flour and eat it to ward off starvation.

The Sal tree worshipped among Buddhists and Hindus in India and the adjoining countries. The legend has it that the famous Lumbini tract where Lord Buddha had sat for meditation and acquired salvation constituted a thick forest of Sal trees.

The healthy forests of Sal in their original habitat like Singhbhum (Bihar) and Doon valley (Uttaranchal) regenerate on their own. In less favorable areas these need continuous assistance for regeneration. These causes and remedies for the difficulty of Sal regeneration are an important subject of research at the National Institute of Forestry and Environment, Dehra Dun. They are also conducting studies into the insects and bacteria afflicting the healthy growth of Sal trees.
Villagers with Sal leaves in a Sal jungle...

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नेउपाने ब्रो....धेरै राम्रो धागो सुरु गर्नुभो तपाइले....मेरो शुभकामना छ।
सकेको सहयोग गरुम्ला... भन्न त नहुनेहो यो अर्कै खाले धागो मा तै पनि
साल को कुरा आयो अनी दुना टपरी को कुरो आयो...गाम मा गाउने एउटा गित साह्रै
गाउन मन लागो....

साल को पात टपरी गाँसेर
भेट भो माया जाम डाडा काटेर
पानी को तालैमा..साइला नभुलाउ माया जालैमा

यसबाट पनि थाहा हुन्छ साल हाम्रो समाज मा कती प्रख्यात छ भन्ने कुरा...

Neupane broda, this is such an informative and wonderful thread! kudos to ya!

could you please please please post something on "parijaat' esp. some pictures of its flowers would really help me regain some of my lost vigor :) thanx in advance!

Parijata or पारीजात or Nycanthes arbortrisis
Thank you for your responses.
Parijata
Also known as divine flower and Wish Granting Tree..

Has a story about this flower and lord Krishna....
The Story of the Parijata Flower
One day Krsna was sitting among His wives in Dvaraka ? all 16,108 queens were present, including Rukmini and Satyabhama. Narada arrived there with a parijata flower plucked from heaven and told Krsna, "Please take this flower and give it to Your favourite queen." Krsna thought, "Narada is very tricky; he wants to throw Me in a dilemma. If I give this flower to Rukmini, then Satyabhama and the other queens will be angry, and it will take great effort to pacify them. And if I hand it to Satyabhama, then Rukmini will be jealous.? Read more at http://purebhakti.com/lectures/lecture20030525.shtml

from http://members.aol.com/parijata/parijata1.html
Plants of India: Parijata
*Parijata-The Wish-Granting Tree
by Christopher McMahon
Part 1: Collecting Parijat
In ancient Hindu literature the parijatak tree appears as one of the first gifts to humankind hence its sacred status.
Part 2: Stories of Parijata
With regards to the parijatak tree this story is often narrated in certain communities.
Once a royal princess fell in love with the sun god-Surya Dev. She was enamored of his brilliance and beauty as he daily passed through the sky from east to west in his fiery chariot. Her devotion attracted his attention and for a while he favored her with his attention but after awhile he was distracted with other interests and she was deserted. In despair she killed herself and from her cremated ashes the parijatak tree arose. Since she was rejected by Surya Dev, the flowers of the tree only bloom at night. Then before the sun rises the flowers fall so its rays will not strike her. Based on this story the tree was given the species name ?arbortristis? which means ?tree of sorrow?.
Another story surrounding the trees? origin is found in several ancient Indian scriptures called the Puranas. It is said that when the celestial beings, at the behest of Hari-the Preserver of the Universe, churned the cosmic ocean to obtain certain boons that would help alleviate suffering and protect the powers of good from the powers of evil one of the parijatak tree appeared as one of the divine treasures. Its perfume was said to permeate the entire universe. Because the tree holds such a elevated place in India?s sacred lore, the tree is revered by devote Hindus. The story, on one level, clearly illustrates that trees, flowers and fragrance represent some of the finest boons for humankind.

After the parijatak tree emerged from the ocean of existence it taken to the heaven worlds and planted in the pleasure garden of Indra- the lord of the gods. One day a great sage of ancient times named Narad Muni visited this garden in his meditations visited this garden and saw this lovely tree emitting its divine perfume. Using his yogic powers he gathered up some of these ethereal blossoms and brought them back to the physical plane and gave them to Rukmini, the favorite wife of the renowned avatar of Vishnu, Lord Krishna, who was at that time dwelling in Dwaraka in north India. The flowers were so lovely and the fragrance so delicate that Satyabhama another wife of Lord Krishna became desirous of possessing that celestial tree and having it planted in her own garden. She was jealous of the attention Krishna was showing to Rukmini and wanted him to give more time to her. She implored him to obtain the tree for her. To satisfy her desire he entered into a state of deep meditation and in that state plucked up the tree from the garden. Before leaving that place he was accosted by the keepers of the garden and was told he would incur the wrath of Indra as the tree belonged to his wife Sachi. But Satyabhama would not be put off by any obstacle and said that the tree was the common property of all and had as much place on earth as it had in the heavens. As a result Krishna waged a great war with Indra and his celestial army. In the end Krishna?s strength prevailed and Indra was forced to retreat. At that time Satyabhama taunted him as being a coward but decided to give back his celestial tree. Krishna also consented to return the tree to its celestial abode. But Indra said that there was no shame in being defeated by the avatar of Vishnu and that the tree should be taken to earth and planted in Dwarka where its fragrance could be enjoined by all the people of the earth. Thus the first parijatak tree was planted and its divine fragrance was said to spread for three furlongs. Its aroma was charged with so much power that it would help people enhaling it to remember events of their past lives. In this instance also we can see that the sages were explaining to the people that fragrance was a valuable means of accessing stored memories. In the East memory has a much more comprehensive meaning than in the West as it can include past lives as it is believed that the soul takes countless births on its journey to perfection but the same basic principal is explained in this story as is encountered in western literature regarding how fragrance stimulates memories of past events in ones life.

Part 3: Cultural Significance of Parijata
The parijatak tree is native to India and in its natural habitat is found growing up to an altitude of 1,500 meters. It adapts well to dry slopes and rocky ground. Because of its fragrant flowers it is cultivated in gardens throughout the country. Even when neglected it still produces fragrant flowers in abundance. Its greatest enemy is standing water which causes the roots to rot and die. If a little care is given to the plant in the form of periodic deep waterings, well rotted compost, and judicious pruning it can take on the form of a trully elegant specimen. Its flowering season is quite long, extending from August to December in most regions. It is an excellent selection for planting in semi-shady situations.
Parijata Tree...

In India the parijat tree is planted in the precincts of temples because of the sublime atmosphere created by the aroma of its flowers.
The Muslim people, too, have an affection for the flower and it is said that it is planted in their grave yards. In the morning the ethereal flowers carpet the tombs with a natural aromatic floral display. The story that this tells is simple and beautiful. In nature, the parijat tree grows to a mature specimen which produces innummerable flowers. These flowers grow to maturity and for a brief time give off their fragrance for one and all to enjoy. When the perfume is exhausted, they fall to the earth, wither, and die having fulfilled the mission of their life. Our lives, in the ideal sense, should follow their example. We, as part of the human family, are like the flowers of the mother plant. In the beginning our innate beauty is hidden as it can only be developed through the experiences of life both good and bad. Through the ups and downs of life, if we are fortunate, we come to the point where out of the heart comes a sweet perfume of love and compassion for one and all. Having given of that perfume in a quiet, unassuming way, the time comes when the bodies resources are exhausted and we depart from this plane of existences and our soul essence reunites with the invisible essence from which we come.
Part 4: Parijata Attar
The delicate aroma of the flower did not escape the notice of India?s original perfumer?s. This class of people wer always trying to capture the fragrance of the countries exotic flowers by one means or another. They invented many unique ways of extracting the valuable essence of the plant and even today this art and craft is practiced Uttar Pradesh by the perfumers of Kannauj. The perfumers know all the places in the vicinity where parijat grows and they commission the local people to gather the flowers in the early morning. Whole families spend a couple of hours each day during the flowering season, collecting the fragile blossoms and bringing them to a person who weighs them out and pays them for their fragrant wares. Immediately the fresh flowers are placed in a copper still containing water in the ratio of 1 part fresh material to 2 parts of water. A standard still called a "deg"holds approximately 80 litres of water and 40 kgs of flowers. A clay snake then is placed upon the lip of the "deg"and the lid or "sarpos" is set on top of it. A flexible piece of metal with hooked ends called a "kamani" spring slides under the lip of the "deg"and over the "sarpos" A wedge is then driven between the lid and metal spring creating a tight seal between the still and lid. Meanwhile another long neck copper vessel called a "bhapka", acting as a receiver containing 5 kgs of sandalwood, is prepared and a bamboo pipe called a "chonga" wrapped with twine made from native grasses is inserted into it. A tight seal is formed by wrapping the pipes end with several layers of cotton cloth and forcibly inserting into the narrow mouth of the receiver. The other end of the bamboo pipe is affixed to the lid using cotton and clay. The receiver sits below the deg in a water bath. A fire is ignited beneath the deg using wood or cow dung and the distillation process is initiated. When the heat generated within the still is sufficient the aroma containing cells rupture and their volatile constituents mingle with steam, pass through the bamboo tube and condense in the water cooled receiver. In the receiving chamber, the sandalood ?fixes? the highly volatile aromatic constituents of parijat. The whole distilling process of one batch of flowers takes approximately 8-10 hours. Operations then cease and the mixture in the receiver is allowed to separate out during the course of the night. The following morning the water is drained out and the receiver containing the fragrance-charged sandalwood is reconnected to the "deg" A new batch of flowers is added to fresh water plus the previous days water obtained from the receiver and the same process is repeated. This cycle goes on for approximately 15 days or until the sandalwood achieves the proper concentration of aroma.
In the past these indigenous perfumes called "attar"or "ittar" were esteemed not only for their exquisite fragrance but also for their healing power. Ayurvedic physicians used them to treat a variety of diseases based on the precious aromatic molecules contained in each oil. Today it is virtually impossible to obtain a pure attar. Most are either adulterated with synthetic chemicals or are composed entirely of the same. A person wishing to use them therapeutically should never even consider doing so unless he is 100% sure that his source is genuine and this must be backed up with modern techniques of testing the oils through gas chromatography, etc. Up to this time only one or two companies have attempted to develop a finger print for these oils. Perhaps, with the current interest in aromatherapy, this trend will change and this art will be revived with full assurances of quality and purity. I mention this simply because it is a subject that interests me greatly and I know from personal experience that the shops selling these oils are not really telling the people the truth about their products. A person visiting India and purchasing the oils offered by the the attractive perfume shops like those found in Bombay and Lahore are truly asking for trouble if they are thinking that they are being given the genuine article. If, on the other hand, a person is only interested in the oil from a fragrance standpoint, it is possible to get a resonable fascimile at a nominal cost. A true attar of relatively high odor value will normally cost well over $1500.00 US per kilo and they can cost much more.
Part 5: Medicinal Properties and Economic Uses of Parijata
When the foundations of Indian civilization were laid several thousand years ago, the sages and seers were careful to study in great detail, the plants, animals and minerals of the area in which they lived The aromatic principles of flowers like parijat were appreciated in their own right but the rest of the plant was also observed to discover what other properties in might possess to be of use in serving the needs of those who lived in their(the plants) vicinity. Even today the rural people of India utilize parijat in the same ways that their ancestors did.

Medicinal Uses
The fresh leaves of the plant prepared in the form of juice, infusions or decoctions and in combination with other herbs are found to be useful in treating inflamations, sciatica, pruritis(itching) fever, bronchitis, asthma, cough, dyspepsia(difficulty with digestion associated with pain, flautulence, heartburn and nausea), constipation as the active principals contained within them are found to have anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, digestive, expectorant, sudorific, diurectic and laxative properites. The leaves were also considered antidotal for reptile venom.Various preparations of the fresh flowers were found useful in treating diseases like colic, dyspepsia, flatulence, greyness of hair and balness as they wer astringent, stomachic, and carminative in nature. The bark when chewed with betelnut and leaf was eaten to promote expectoration of thick phlem. The seeds when powdered and prepared as a paste are used to cure scurvy and affections of the scalp.
Economic Uses
The wood has been used to form a food batten base for tile or grass thatch roofs while the young branches are suitable for making baskets. The bark of the tree is sometimes used as a tanning material and the leaves are used for polishing wood and ivory.
----sorry i couldn't post all here due to 6500 character limit, read more at the given urls.

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नेउपाने मामा, यी तेत्तीस कोटि रुख, बिरुवा, सागपात आदिका बारेमा सहस्र जिब्रा भएका शेषनागलेझैँ भलिभाँती बेलिबिस्तार लगाइदिनाले जगतको ठूलो कल्याण भएको छ। प्रभु, अब यो पीपलको बारेमा पनि यस्सो मर्जी हुन्छ कि?

ए नेपाने,
हामीले त बच्चामा रुद्राक्ष खान्थेम यार, त्यो माला लगाउने रुद्राक्षको गेडा त फल खाईसके पछिको खोया पो हो त !!!
सामान्यतया पाकेपछि कलेजी रङ्ग, कहिलेकाही पहेलो हुन्छ, स्वाद चाहि पाकेको मीठै हुन्छ, काँचो पर्यो भने चाहि टर्रो हुन्छ।

अर्को कुरा नि, त्यो माथिको साल सम्बन्धी आख्यानको अंशमा भएको एउटा फोटो (UGA2714047) मा चस्मा
लाएर सहरबाट "देहात" तिर गाको जस्तो देखिने "माडसाब" नेपाने आफै त होईन ?

Keep rolling...

Peepal or Pipal or Ficus Religiosa or पिपल
got little busy last few weeks, here goes peepal
I didn't know we can eat Rudraksha fruit...
from http://www.haryana-online.com/Flora/pipal.htm

Pipal tree (Ficus religiosa), a native tree of India, held sacred by the Buddhists, who believe that Gautama Buddha received enlightenment under a Bo tree at Bodh Gaya. The Bo tree attains great size and age; the leaves, which hang from long, flexible petioles, rustle in the slightest breeze. Pipal is also spelled peepul or pipul. All parts of the Pipal tree, including roots, bark, leaf and fruit, are useful. The botanical classification of the Bo tree is:
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Urticales
Family: Moraceae.
Description of the Plant: Large tree. Flower color red. Flowers in February. Fruits in May / June. Widely found in uplands and plain area.
Plant Parts Used: Root / Bark / Leaf / Fruit.
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from http://www.4to40.com/earth/geography/index.asp?article=earth_geography_trees
The Sacred Peepal - In some ways peepal trees are great show-offs. Even when there is no breeze, their beautiful leaves spin like tops, determined to attract you attention and invite you into their shade. And not only do they send down currents of cool air, but their long slender tips are also constantly striking together to make a sound like the pattering of raindrops.
No wonder the rishis of old chose to sit and meditate under these trees. And it was beneath a peepal that Gautama Buddha gained enlightenment. This tree came to be called the Bodhi, the ?tree of wisdom?.
To the Hindus, the peepal is especially sacred. Its roots, it is believed, represent Brahma, its bark Vishnu, its branches Shiv Mahadeva. "As the wide-spreading peepal tree is contained in a small seed," says the Vishnu Purana, "so is the whole universe contained in Brahma. In rural areas, when the new moon falls on a Monday, the peepal is still worshipped by women, who pour water on its trunk, and lay at its roots a copper coin and sweet-meats.
It is said to be dangerous to lie or cheat beneath a peepal tree, and sometimes to tease shopkeepers they are told that they ought not to plant one in a bazaar. All the same, there are plenty of peepal trees in our bazaars. It is a tree that grows wherever its seed falls; it will take root in a wall or on a roof-top or even in the fork of another tree if given the chance. As its roots are quite capable of pushing through bricks and mortar, it is best to plant it some distance away from buildings.
No other tree has a leaf which tapers to such a perfect point as the peepal. When it rains, you can see the water drip from the points. Water runs off more easily from a point than from a blunt end, and the sooner a leaf dries the better it is for the tree.
The leaf is beautiful, and has been likened to the perfect male physique. From the stalk (the human neck) the edges of the leaf run squarely out on either side (the shoulders) and then curve round and inwards to end in a finely-pointed tail (the waist), so that the suggestion is of a square, broad torso upon a narrow waist-a body such as we see in pictures of Krishna.
While the chief occupants of the banyan are various birds and insects, the peepal is said to be the residence of a wide variety of ghosts and mischievous spirits.
The most mischievous of these is the Munjia. He lives in lonely peepal trees, and rushes out at tongas, bullock-carts and bushes, trying his best to upset them! Our grandmothers still advise us not to yawn when passing under a peepal tree. Should you yawn, it is best to cover you mouth with your hand, or snap your fingers in front of it. "Otherwise," says Grandmother, "The Munjia will rush down your throat and completely ruin your digestion!"
peepal trees have very long lives. There are some ancient peepal in Hardwar which are even older than the present town, probably as old as the eleventh century Mayadevi Temple. A peepal tree taken from India to Sri Lanka in 288 B.C. is still alive and flourishing. Records of its growth were carefully preserved over the centuries, and it must new be 2257 years old.
To fell a peepal tree was once looked upon as a great sin. On the other hand, anyone who planted a peepal was said to receive the blessings of generations to come.
Let us also earn the blessings of future generations by planting not only more peepal trees -- which are quite capable of looking after themselves -- but all kinds of trees for shade and shelter, fruit and flower, beauty and utility.
Can you imagine a country without any trees, a country that has become one vast desert? Well, that is what could easily happen here if we keep cutting our trees and forests without bothering to grow others in their place.
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from http://www.urday.com/peepal.htm
'The holy Fig Tree' The concept of divinity even in vegetation?s, trees etc has been prevalent in Indian civilization since time immemorial and have been accepted as a tradition.
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:-
1. Fig tree,
2. A wild fig (Sycamore) tree (Gular),
3. Banyan tree,
4. Pakar (citron-leaved), Indian fig tree,
5. Mango tree.
Among these the holy fig tree is considered as the most sacred. A man who plants this tree goes to the abode of almighty God after his death. He can neither be tormented by the miseries of 'Yama-loka' nor has to face miseries in this world.
Lord Vishnu dwells in the roots of this tree, 'Keshav' (Krishna) in the trunk, Narayana dwells in the branches, Lord Shri Hari in the leaves and all the deities dwell in the fruits of the holy fig tree. This tree is the personification of Lord Vishnu. Great men serve the 'Virtuous roots of this tree. Protection of this tree liberates a man from all his sins and help in the accomplishment of every desire.
The cutting of a holy fig tree without a proper reason is similar to cutting one's own ancestors. By doing this, one destroys his descent. But cutting of this tree for sacred activities like 'Yagya' (sacrificial fire) is not sinful, on the contrary it helps in the attainment of Heaven. The mere worship of this tree is worship all the deities. (Parikrama) moving around a holy fig tree is reverence and pouring water on it daily destroy all kinds of inauspiciousness. Pouring water on the roots of this tree in the month of May (Vaishakh) gives immense virtues,thus worshipping it with devotion gives long life.
There is a rule of making three circumambulations of a holy fig tree. Planting this tree on any auspicious day one should nurture it with water for eight years, just like his own son. After that, performing the sacred-thread (yagyopavita) ceremony of this tree and worshipping it with proper methods give undiminishing wealth and fortune, the lineage continues without any hitch, gives long life, and the dead ancestors attain salvation by getting liberation from the hell.
Hindu girls perform many fasts connected with this tree right from their childhood. A girl who has a probability of becoming a widow according to the inauspicious combination of planets in her horoscope must worship the holy fig tree. After taking bath she should purify the soil around the holy fig tree by cow dung paste, decorate the tree with threads and Ochre and worship it with the help of a Brahmin. She should invocate Lord Vishnu and Laxmi who dwell in the holy fig tree and worship them by chanting 'Purusukta' Mantras and by performing "Havana' and 'Tarpana'. After that she should circumambulate the holy fig tree for 108 times and tie a white thread around it.
The holy fig tree has medicinal properties too. According to Ayurveda this tree has both sweet and bitter taste and has a cool property. Intaking the bark, fruit and buds with different Combination of things cures the diseases related with Phlegm, bile, inflammation swelling and indisposition etc. The soft bark and the bud of this tree cures 'Prameha' (a disease in which sperms emanate through urine).
The powdered form of the fruit of this tree increases appetite and cures numerous diseases. So the holy fig tree holds a very important place in Indian civilization i.e. religious point of view, medicinal and social point of views, and hence it is worth being worshipped.
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