Vat Purnima is celebrated on
full moon day in the month of Jyeshta. Women observe fast and tie threads around a banyan tree and
pray for the same husband in every birth.
Mahabharat tells us a story of Savitri
who was born to the king of Madra, Ashvapati as a boon from Lord Sun/Savitr.
Her father could not find her a suitable groom so he asked her to find husband
on her own. Savitri found Satyavan son of king Dyumatsena, who had lost all his
wealth, his sight and was living in exile.
Soon after her marriage to Satyavan she
heard Devrishi Narada speaking to her father, saying that Satyavan is destined to
die exactly after one year of his marriage. She stayed with Satyavan and his
parents in the forest. On the day of
Satyavan’s predicted death Savitri accompanies him to forest to help him cut
the fire woods. After a while Satyavan felt tired and went to sleep in
Savitri’s lap under a Banyan tree.
When the time of Death, of Satyavan, came Yamdoot, the messenger of Yama the God of death, came to take
soul of Satyavan. But Savitri refused to part with the soul of her husband.
Messenger after messenger tried to take Satyavan away, but in vain. Savitri could
do this because of her chastity and power of tapa. Finally, Yama himself appeared
before Savitri and insisted her to give soul of her husband.
When Yama forcibly took the soul away Savitri
followed him. Yama then offered her boon; Savitri asked Yama to restore
eyesight of her parents in law and also asked him to restore them as King and
Queen of their kingdom. Even after she was this granted boon Savitri kept
following Yama. So Yama offered her second boon against which she asked well
being of her parents. This boon was also granted but Savitri was relentless and
continued to follow Yama. When they approached Yama’s abode Yama offered her a
final boon. She asked for a Son and Yama granted it. She then asked Yama how it
would be possible to beget a child without husband. Yama was outwitted and had
to spare Satyavan’s life.
In the memory of the above event the married
woman pray and go around tying seven strings around the banyan tree to secure
long life for their husbands and children. They also observe the fast for the
full night.
Why is Banyan Tree one of the most venerated trees in India ?
Trees are considered Sacred in Hindu Tradition
and almost all the Trees and Plants are associated with some God or Goddess.
Tulsi Plant for example is associated with Lord Vishnu. Mango Tree is
associated with Kama Deva, Banana and Coconut is associated with Goddess Laxmi,
Durva is offered to Lord Ganesha, Bilva
is dear to Lord Shiva who is also known as Vrikshanath or Protector of the
Plant Kingdom.
Banyan Tree is associated with Lord Yama the God
of death. In olden days Banyan tree was was found on the outskirts of villages
or near crematoriums. These trees marked the end of society beyond which the forests
existed. Vat tree was considered as abode
of ghosts and at the same time was venerated as Hermit Tree.
The Vat, or Banyan tree is known as tree of
immortality as it has the ability to survive and grow for centuries and is called
Kalpavriksha, the tree that fulfills wishes and other material gains. It
symbolizes Trimurti - Lord Vishnu is believed to be the bark, Lord Brahma the
roots, and Lord Shiva the branches. Its aerial roots grow down into the soil
forming additional trunks and is therefore called Bahupada, the one with
several feet.
The Banyan tree though considered as sacred is
never a part of Hindu ceremonies as it is not considered as a householder tree.
Just as a Sanyasi or Hermit cannot raise a family banyan tree does not support
a household or family. Other trees like Mango, Coconut and Banana are always
part of ceremonies as they provide for and are useful for the family and
household.
Trees like Coconut, Mango represents material aspect of Mankind
and are associated with Goddess Laxmi and Kama Deva who represents fertility.
The Banyan tree does not allow even a blade of grass to grow under it. The
Banyan tree represents Spiritual side of mankind and is associated with God
Shiva as it does allow rebirth and renewal.
Rshi Markandeya once
had a vision of the great deluge, dead species floating in the Pralaya and
Vishnu as a baby lying on the leaf of the vatavrksha floating in the great
flood. The flood representing transitory nature of life. The baby symbolizing the capacity of the new
life to replace the older generation. The banyan leaf representing the symbol
of eternity with the lord Shiva himself gracing this cycle of rebirth known as
Kaal Chakra.
