In Hindu culture, the tradition of worshiping the mother nature in its various forms , and giving respect to its existence has been there since ancient times. In religious texts, Puranas and astrological books , along with many gods and goddesses, there are also provisions for worshiping the Sun, the Moon , rivers, mountains, seas, water bodies, trees etc. In the Brihat Parashar Hora Shastra, the most ancient and respected classical text on astrology, many remedies have been given to remove the obstacles in procreation due to inauspicious deeds of the previous births. These remedies include the construction of wells, ponds etc. and planting and worshiping trees like Peepal and Banyan.The remedies has been discussed briefly in chapter number 84 of Purva Janma Shrapa Adhyay of Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra. As per my humble understanding of this subject the tree plantation as per the Moon sign or Nakshatra or as per the consideration of the weak or an evil planet in the chart is the best remedy in modern times. It is cost effective and helpful in the environmental cause and also boost the agriculture economy.
The names of trees and plants of 27 constellations have been given in the texts of Vastu Shastra. The tradition of planting trees according to one’s birth constellation or birth zodiac is prevalent in many parts of the West Bengal and South Indian states. In hilly region of Uttarakhand, Harela festival dedicated to the worship of nature is celebrated in the lunar month of Ashadha, just 9 days before the month of Shravan, in which conscious people also plant trees. Inspired by this Harela festival, every year in the first week of July, the Government of India organizes the Van Mahotsav.
The Van Mahotsav is being celebrated since 1950 in India. In the 1950s, the then Agriculture Minister K.M. Munshi had started Van Mahotsav to encourage tree plantation. Now let’s see what astrological texts tell us about the trees that comes under various planets. We can plant the trees as per the weak or the evil planet in a particular horoscope as a mean to perform its astrological remedy.
Types of Trees Signified by Planets
In chapter 3, Graha Swarupa Adhyay, verses 40 and 41 of Brihat Parashar Hora Shastra, it has been mentioned about the trees coming under the influence of planets like the Sun, the Moon, Mars etc.
Sun – hard wood trees – thick wood trees like Sheesham, Shaal etc.
Moon – milk yielding trees, juice yielding trees like Deodar, Jackfruit etc.
Mars – thorny trees – Babool, Khair, bitter trees like Neem
Mercury – trees without fruits.
Jupiter – All the fruit bearing trees.
Venus – All the flowering trees.
Saturn – Dull trees without fruits and flowers.
The bad effects of a planet which is weak or in an unfavorable state in the birth chart can be reduced by planting a tree that comes under it.
Trees Signified by various Nakshatra’s
In Hindu astrology, the zodiac cycle is divided into 27 constellations. In some texts of Vastu Shastra, the name of each tree or plant that comes under these 27 constellations has been given. If we plant a tree or plant according to our birth constellation and take care of it as much as possible, then its auspicious effect is seen throughout life. The following trees and plants come under the 27 constellations from Ashwini to Revati.
1.Ashwani – Ashwath, 2. Bharani – Makartaru, 3. Krittika – Gular, 4. Rohini – Jamun, 5. Mrigshira – Khadir (Khair), 6. Ardra – Krishna tree, 7. Punarvasu – Punarnava, 8. Pushya – Peepal, 9. Ashlesha – Nagvriksha.
10. Magha – Vat Vriksha (Banyan) ,11. Purvaphalguni – Palaash, 12. Uttarphalguni – Pakad, 13. Hasta – Arishta Vriksha, 14. Chitra – Shrivriksha, 15. Swati – Arjuna, 16. Vishakha – Vivek, 17. Anuradha – Vakul (Maul Seri), 18. Jyeshtha – Ashoka.
19. Mool – Sarva Vriksha (all trees), 20. Purvashadha – Jamun, 21. Uttarashadha – Jackfruit, 22. Shravan – Ark Vriksha, 23. Dhanishtha – Shami, 24. Shatabhisha – Kadam, 25. Purvashadha – Mango, 26 Uttarabhadrapada – Mahuk, 27. Revati – Madhu Vriksha – (Manduk)
Remedies of planting trees according to Puranas
Along with the texts of astrology and Vastu, there is a provision of planting many types of trees and plants in the Puranas for reducing bad effects of evil planets, for the happiness of ancestors and the gods/goddesses. In Vishnudharmottar Purana, Manu Smriti, Bhavishya Purana, Padma Purana, Varah Purana, Matsya Purana and Shiva Purana etc., planting of trees and plants is mentioned. It has been said that this is helpful to increase longevity, strength, fame, happiness of children, virtue in the afterlife etc. It has been mentioned in many Puranas that planting trees like Peepal, Banyan, Neem, Amla, Ashok, Tulsi, Bel, Palash etc. in the month of Ashadha pleases Lord Vishnu, Lakshmi Ji and other gods and goddesses. According to astrology, there is a significance of planting Madar tree for the Sun, Palash for the Moon, Khair for Mars, Apamarg for Mercury, Peepal for Jupiter, Gular for Venus and Shami tree for Saturn.
I would request the readers of this blog to plant trees by themselves or with the help of any NGO. I would also request readers to share with blog post for the purpose of social awareness. Thanks !
[Hindi] ग्रहों और नक्षत्रों के अनुसार मानसून में पेड़-पौधे लगाकर करें ज्योतिष के उपाय !
