Parijaat-

dt 14th Nov 2012. 
PARIJAAT
Had grown Parijaat for abt 8 yrs in mu home. 
Small white flowers- tiny orange stalk  in clusters and extremely delicate, blooms at night. 
With a Fungal attack and cement dust from adjacent bldg wilted away in 1990 .Was unable to get a replacement as so many varietes confused-name and local nurseries were unable to supply. 
Many  times the Saplings of flowers even all mixed up and I got wrong saplings. Finally i got the sapling from Vijaywada.  
I also learnt the flower is called Harsinghar in Hindi and Shefali in Bengali.

Parijaat Flowers are so sensitive  -get hurt easily and need much care .
Correct name is N. arbor-tristis
Also  known as Night-flowering Jasmine. 
Seen as a special Divine flower associated with Shree Krishna  

Rgds,
TR
FROM SOURCES:

"Parijat" is considered to be a divine tree. In the Poems of Rabindranath Tagore there are descriptions about Parijat Flowers.

Parijat is also known as "Har Singar", "Sephali" "Sephalika" and "Night Jasmine". It is widely known that the flowers of Parijat blossom in the evening hours only and shed off the next morning. Its branches are rectangular and its flowers are fragrant. The stem of the flower is saffron in color and the petals are white. The flowers blossom between August to October.

In India, they grow in the outer Himalayas at the height of about 1400 mtrs, and are found in tracts of Jammu & Kashmir, Nepal to East of Assam, Bengal, Tripura extended through the Central region upto Godavari in the South. Besides India, they are found in Thailand, Indonesia, Nepal and Pakistan.

Apart from contributing to the beauty of gardens, "Parijat" has also got medicinal properties. The juice of its leaves is bitter and saline in taste. Taking its juice is considered to be useful in the treatment of fever. Its bark, if taken as medicine is known to give relief in & swelling of lungs. The oil produced from its bark brings relief to pains the eyes and used for hair tonics. Fresh juice of its leaves mixed with honey provides effective relief in the treatment of chronic fever. The decoction of its leaves prepared over low fire gives relief in the treatment of chronic ‘Citica pain’. The juice of its leaves mixed with little sugar is used for treatment of stomach diseases of children. Application of six to seven of its tender leaves with little flesh gin- ger juice, churned in water, brings relief in case of high fever. Its flowers, though bitter in taste act as appetiser and soothe the stomach. Its seeds are used in the treatment of skin diseases and piles.

Date of Issue: 8.3.1997

>      Kingdom: Plantae
>      (unranked): Angiosperms
>      (unranked): Eudicots
>      (unranked): Asterids
>      Order: Lamiales
>      Family: Oleaceae
>      Genus: Nyctanthes
>      Species: N. arbor-tristis
>      Binomial name
>      Nyctanthes arbor-tristis

The Bilwa Tree at Shree Gangadeeshwar Temple- Chennai

dt 14th Sept 2012,
BILWA LEAF & FRUIT

The Bilwa tree at Shree Gangadeeshwar temple is a special variety -larger bilwa fruit and this is seen in pics below- the Trifoliate Leaf is special to Lord Shiva of Tri-kaal and is used in all Shiva Poojas esp. Bilwa Archana with Bilwa stotram - 
"Eka Bilwa Shiva Arpana" 

As I learnt and have understood the Tri -patra leaf in one leaf represents all 3 Aspects in Vedic Shastras that we Hindus follow- viz. Past Present &Future -(TRIAD)

 In Prayer we seek to awaken our dormant self and so this has great significance-esp in Shiva Ratri pooja of Jagraan and sadhana -
Man lives in 3 + 1 states. . We all experience the first 3 states:
1.JAGRAT-Waking State
2.SWAPNA-Dream State
3.SUSHUPTI-Deep Sleep
4 Turiya only Great master

HaraHar Mahadeva -rgds
capt.TR

Chennai

Repeating from 2011 -OM NAMAHA SHIVAYAH
From Ref Sources:
The Bilva tree in the Shiva Purana
According to the Shiva Purana (7 AD) the Bilva tree is the manifest form of Lord Shiva himself, while all the great tirthas (pilgrimage places) are said to reside at its base. One who worships the shivalingam while sitting under the Bilva, claims this great epic, attains the state of Shiva. Washing the head by this tree is said to be the equivalent of bathing in all the sacred rivers.


One who performs Bilva pooja with flowers and incense achieves Shiva loka, the abode of pure consciousness, and has happiness and prosperity bestowed upon them.

The lighting of the deepak (lamp) before this tree bestows knowledge and enables the devotee to merge in Lord Shiva.

The Shiva Purana also claims that if the devotee removes the new leaves from one of the branches of that tree and worships the tree with them, they will be freed from vice, while one who feeds a devotee under the Bilva will grow in virtue.

Namskar to all the sources & Acharyas
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bilwashtakam
from Shri Ramachanders translation adapted -with ack & thanks.
The leaves of Bilwa (Aegle marmelos), which has trifoliate  leaves i.e.with each leaf consisting of three leaves is very dear to Lord Shiva. Offering this leaf to Lord Shiva pleases him especially on the Shivarathri .
There are several stories how people got salvation by offering one Bilwa leaf to Lord Shiva.

Tridalam trigunakaaram trinethram cha triyayusham,
Trijanma papa samharam Eka bilwam shivarpanam. 1

I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,
Which has three leaves,
Which  three Triads aspects--qualities,
Which are like the three eyes of Shiva,
Which is like the triad of weapons-trishul etc ,
And which destroys sins of three births.

Trishakhai bilwapathraischa hyachidrai komalai shubai,
Shiva poojam karishyami, Eka bilwam shivarpanam. 2

I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,
Which has three shoots,
Which are complete
Which are beautiful to see  and ,
And worship Lord Shiva.

Akhanda bilwa pathrena poojithe nandikeshware,
Shudhyanthi sarva papebhyo, Eka bilwam shivarpanam. 3

I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,
For if an uncut leaf is offered,
To his vahana(Bull) the god Nandi,
We are cleansed of paapa - cleaned of all our sins.

Salagrama shilamekaam vipranam jatha cha arpayeth,
Soma yagna maha punyam, Eka bilwam shivarpanam. 4

I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,
For it is equal to, offering a saligrama to a Brahmin,
Or the great blessing got out of performing Soma Yaga,

Danti koti sahasrani vajapeya sathani cha,
Koti kanya maha danam, Eka bilwam shivarpanam. 5

I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,
For it is equal to gifting thousand elephants,
Or the performing of hundred fire sacrifices,
Or giving away a kanya in kanya daan (marriage) a punya .

Lakshmyasthanutha uthpannam mahadevasya cha priyam,
Bilwa vruksham prayachami, Eka bilwam shivarpanam. 6

I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,
For it is equal to giving a tree of Bilwa-leaves,
Which was born from the heart and kindness of of Shree MahaLakshmi,
And which is very dear to the Lord Shiva.

Darshanam bilwa vrukshasya, sparsanam papa nasanam,
Aghora papa samharam, Eka bilwam shivarpanam. 7

I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,
As seeing and touching of a tree of Bilwa,
Washes away ones sins and also very great sins.

Kasi kshethra nivasam cha kala bhairava darshanam,
Prayaga madhavam drushtwa, Eka bilwam shivarpanam. 8

I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,
After living in the city of Kasi,
Seeing the Kala Bhairawa,
And also visiting the temple
Of Madhava in Allahabad.

Moolatho brahma roopaya, madhyatho Vishnu roopini
Agratha shiva roopaya, Eka bilwam shivarpanam 9

I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,
As Brahma resides at its bottom,
Lord Vishnu lives in its middle,
And Lord Shiva lives in its tip.

Bilwashtakam idham punyaam, padeth shiva sannidhou,
Sarva papa nirmuktha Shiva loka maapnuyath. 10

Reading this holy octet of Bilwa,
In the presence of Lord Shiva,
Would save one from all sins,
And in the end take him to the world of Shiva.

Simple Prayers -Universal Appeal

Salutations All 

In the midst of a lot of so many conflicting views and ideas -esp on maintaining a spiritual path- way--some times the most practical, simple and sensible thoughts & ideas have come from Ancient Tribes and Communities This includes the Red Indian, native to the the Americas. 

I just wonder why ever did we complicate Life, with such a lot of rhetoric--esp when I see such simple Commandments--

Thank you to the person who posted this to me-
Gratefully yours, 

TR

Ashwattha & Neem tree grow together -fused together

An Ashwattha -  peepul tree and a Margosa -neem tree have fused at the sapling stage and grown together as one on Warren Road, South Chennai .
The trees now spread its roots and branches across. 
It was reported in Mylai Times and I went and saw it -
took pictures.
See below-Quite interesting .
 TR
Natures Marvels 

Ficus trees, age-and survival-

Ficus tree age-and survival-

ref Trees in Metros today--

The Ficus genus --covers Ashwattha, Banyan and Oudamber esp. and have been covered in my earlier posts.

This post will try and touch on is on its magnificent survival  .
I am also now  realising why these 3 trees are mentioned in the Shree VS-

 In GIta Lord Krishna says "I am the Ashwattha, his Vibhutis...Divine Glories- Chp 10, sloka 26.

These great ficus trees have  survived all kinds of ravages over years of - droughts, floods, tsunamis, earthquakes and other natural calamities and their species survival is estimated by a Molecular Clock as...(hard to even imagine this  )--as maybe over 50 million years....God -I cant even imagine ..this time span.....

So how did these Trees achieve it and esp. now with Man's greed and encroachment, felling and sheer vandalism-in the last 200 years of so called advancement.

Some thoughts :
1) Ficus Genus are tropical and have been venerated & protected  in India & SE Asia.
2)The very nature of Ficus is to survive--grip and hang on -even has been called a Strangler Fig tree.Their  pollination and spread is mostly by birds and wasps -not on the whims or vagaries of Man's behaviour. 

Thank God for that .

3) Personally, I believe it is God's Will alone ..for creation and preservation and so it has a very special place in our Religious texts and in Buddhism ; 

In fact aptly is called "Ficus Religiosa"

4) To understand something of this Survival in a Metro ..please see pics of a Tall Ficus Ashwattha (Bodhi) gripping onto a dilapidated building entrance; have seen many like this on older buildings in every city and took this case up for study. The Root structure tells a lot. The  location is in a market lane now being "Developed"-near my house in R.A.Puram, Chennai. God alone knows how this magnificent brave tree will fare that has definitely stood about 15- 20 years ---

I take Faith in God Protects 

Vrikshaa Naam Pataye Namaha
Rgds
TR

WATER--storage in India with step wells

GREETINGS

Step Wells - of Gujarat & Rajasthan

I had visited Somnath temple on a Teerth Yatra in Jan 2009 and en route stopped at Rani ki Vav-- a Stepwell --

a magnificent construction.. Some pics and details 

FROM Smt. Anuradha Philar - a family friend, wrote to me giving details 

"Water in the architecture of India could be found since the earliest times and had played an important role in the culture. Stepwells were first used as an art form by the Hindus and then popularized under Muslim rule.
Stepwell construction is known to have gone on from at least 600 AD in the south western region of Gujarat, India. The practical idea even spread north to the state of Rajasthan, along the western border of India where several thousands of these wells were built.

The construction of these stepwells hit its peak from the 11th to 16th century. Most existing stepwells date from the last 800 years. There are suggestions that they may have originated much earlier, and there are some suggestions that precursors to them can be seen in the Indus Valley civilisation.

The first rock-cut step wells in India date from 200-400 AD.Subsequently, the wells at Dhank (550-625 AD) and construction of stepped ponds at Bhinmal (850-950 AD) takes place.The city of Mohenjo-daro has wells which may be the predecessors of the step well; as many as 700 wells have been discovered in just one section of the city leading scholars to believe that 'cylindrical brick lined wells' were invented by the people of the Indus Valley Civilisation.One of the earliest existing stepwells was built in the 11th century in Gujarat and is known as the Mata Bhavani's vav. A long flight of steps leads to the water below a sequence of multi-story open pavilions positioned along the east/west axis. The elaborate ornamentation of the columns, brackets and beams are a prime example of standard of civil works then

The importance of water to the locations in which they were found have been realized in the past decade now that many communities in the area are scarcity of rain and water. The construction of these wells encouraged the incorporation of water into the culture where they were popular. These stepwells were even proven to be well built after withstanding earthquakes in the range of 7.6 on the Richter scale.

 

The Jamun Sapling -grows ...

PLANT  A SAPLING

thoughts at Janmashtami 2012-

Jambul in Tamilnadu is called --Navala palam tree (Jamun) and is seen a spl Prasad to offer to  both Lord Krishna & Lord Muruga –Karthikeya in South.

A tiny Sapling from Smt Savitri & Shri Ganapathy our neighbours (Sr Citizens) a loving  family-she  actually planted seeds in a pot and gave us a sapling last year-

It was planted on my near my house in the corner with some protection with a Gul Mohar also (Ours is a Blind Road  on 27th Feb 2011).

Planted-Grows slowly ..may take a few years ; but a Sapling planted and nurtured gives much joy--

This will one day grow into a huge tree–needs space but as this is a blind road corner ;

-hopefully it will do well.

Dear God Protect it-

TR

Naval pazham,Neredupandu, Jamblang, Jambolan, Jambula, Black Plum, ... "

Malabar plum" may also refer to other species of Syzygium. ... A bunch of jaam with unripe(green), semi ripe and ripe(black) fruits from Jessore, Bangladesh ... Lord Murugan (regarded as one of the guardian deities of Tamil language), ...

The Butterfly Tree--

Butterfly Tree-- flowers after Rains
-A sapling of a Butterfly Tree from Anandashram was given to my sister Nalini in 2011- brought by Sulabha Pachi-thro my sis in law  ;
In 2011 Feb It was planted in a pot ; then transferred to earth in the soil this year only.
Watered and changed soil etc. but not much change seen -
Then we had some Rains in July and in Aug . 5 days of good rain showers  in Janmashtami week....and lo behold-the Tree at about ht 5 ft has blooms and buds.
Purple and whitish -..Marvel of Nature and effect of Rain water is unbelievable. Rgds 
TR

Data -plant /flower names taken from source --
My observations in brown colour --as noted on 15th Aug 2012
Rgds 
TR

Species :- Bauhinia purpurea

Family:- FABACEAE

Local names:- Butterfly Tree, Orchid Tree, Kachnar [India]

Common name: Butterfly tree, Pink butterfly , Purple bauhinia, Purple butterfly tree, Purple orchid tree • Hindi: Kaniar कनियार • Tamil: நீலத்திருவத்தி Nilattiruvatti • Bengali: Koiral • Assamese: Og-yok • Marathi: Rakta chandan • Kannada: Devakanchan
Botanical name: Bauhinia purpurea      Family: Caesalpiniaceae (Gulmohar family)

The Purple Orchid Tree is tropical tree that blooms over a long period of time. 

The beautiful & fragrant, classic, Orchid-like flowers are purple whitish /cream lavender petals arranged to closely resemble an orchid. 

These flowers appeared in August --after Rains  

The Portia Tree-Openair Cafe for Birds

I have been writing on nature watch and trees in this Blog-and also other docs. inc FB,  but I have never used such an unusual title and readers may be wondering what is behind it. 

Here are the facts:

"Thespesia"  in botany and -Poovarasu in Tamil and Malayalam has an interesting name in English – the Portia tree.  I was amazed at the name and the idea came from a recent tree watch experience. Last week I had posted a note on my morning walk covering the delightful scene of watching squirrels, mynas, babblers, crows; I forgot to mention two mongooses too. Obviously, a mother and a tiny one all coming from the vast Adyar estaury - sanctuary and feeding at the base of 3 trees in the neighbouring vacant plot. It was  a nice sight to behold and I was wondering what actually the 3 trees offered viz., Thespesia, Neem and the third one is still yet to be identified as it is difficult to connect some local trees. 

The study took me across to the horticulture dept of Chennai with the assistance of my Lab Staff. In fact the PORTIA -aka Thespesia tree was identified when I had taken leaf samples with a few berries for study by an officer of the State Govt. Dept of Horticutural who was very kind enough to also provide a handout sheet. Learnt so much today

It is a matter of interest that some of these trees of India are seen in far and distant lands viz. Pacific Islands and in particular Hawaii - Tahiti and PitCairn Island where it was in fact planted in sacred groves. In these Pacific islands it is called the Milo tree and valued for the wood but sadly over-logged and now depleted.The wood was used for boat building by islanders and even more surprisingly for making drums earlier.

Essentially the tree is grown and  used for shade in earlier times and regrettably much of the pacific island trees were lost in over logging. On the Pit Cairn Island, the wood was used for making curios also.  

Surprises:

In Chennai it is used to make a Thavil – Carnatic music drum and really left me wondering.

Again another interesting point is in Sri Lanka, the flowers of the Portia tree is sold on Remembrance Day to aid ex-servicemen.

Coming back to the open air café for Birds , it was a joy to watch from the 5^th floor terrace of Shanthi Apts. Adjacent to my house, behind a corner flat and partly hidden. The photos are taken are at a very close range from the 5th Floor (Terrace). The tree is actually in the corner of a group of flats and the fruit and flower are only seen at the higher levels. Unless one goes very close it is not likely to be seen as the height of the tree has crossed 4 floors.  

The fruit of the tree resemble tiny figs but are not suited for human consumption and is considered to be toxic to mammals and humans but obviously birds are able to digest this. (I am still studying this as the 3^rd tree in the vicinity with black dry berries) are all strewn on the ground and along with neem fruits and tender shoots and flowers provide food for birds both on the ground and on the tree top.

A wonderful experience  in tree watch and I never thought a simple study in the morning would take me across to several parts of the globe up to the Pacific islands ....by just observing  a tree.

Marvels of Nature continued-

rgds,

TR

Tree Watch -musing

Tree Watch -musing

dt 20th May, 2012
My routine daily in the morning walk includes Tree Watch-care -and starts with Watering the Garden and the Jambu & Gul Mohar saplings planted last January -which now are abt 5 ft high-(Jambu grows slowly) Gul is 8ft . 

 

Stopped to observe :
The Old Tamarind , wild berry and neem tree in next vacant plot is a veritable playground and morning Open air Cafe for sweet ripe tamarind for Squirrels- Mynahs- Babblers-Crows and the lone Cuckoo on a branch was at peace (was not chased ) and his Cuckoo cry was oft repeated---
The adjacent trees had wild berries and many tender morsels for all as they pecked off the ground and fed.
No one was quarrelling -silently feeding -in thankful appreciation for what they received
Watched silently with appreciation--Peace reigned.
Dear God, what all we have to learn from the morning and Nature.
Rgds
TR
pic -adjacent vacant plot-

22nd April 2012.

 

EARTH DAY REPORT

 

Was able to keep my resolutions for Earth Day...( over the last week  )

Tree Watch & care- with and Garden maintenence was taken up with greater purpose and care.

Got some advice also from  from the Horticulture Dept. Then finally got some manual labour to help, but---with some difficulty  The last 2 years  have been a series of eye openers in Plant &Tree Care.

Many valuable lessons learnt.

 

PROGRESS

1. Worked in the Garden-cleared, weeded out  and renewed the soil /nutrition with fresh red earth with micronutrients and Organo. Creeper plants &Climbers esp Malli were properly arranged to have support.

Pests -Insects Rodents and Monsoon effect leaves a lot of damge that as to be rectified.  

2. Sprayed neem oil pesticides where ever possible -Neemsutra and Neem Guard & Neem Oil

3.Transferred the  Butterfly Tree sapling from Anandashram Kanhangad (to the earth --on easter side Trees,

4. Banana Trees cleared and good ones retained- to ensure sunlight, warmth, and well-drained soil. The cut banana stems -inner core as the vegetable -Tender banana stems (Vaal thandu-Tamil / Gabbo in konkani) Pieces distributed all  around--a good vegetable used in south and is recommended  for UT & kidney cleaning .

5. Carefully inspected my Neem Tree and took Bark Sample samples -Arranged for  analysis-(sent) -as excess brown powdering seen at lower 4 feet -(may be Soil nutrition is lost with time -added Micronutrients). Will decide soon on further treatment as this is a new experience for me (6. Consult the Horticulture dept. again on Tree care ref my observations (Tree Watch -Ref ). Termites also suspected  but not seen -only powder?

6.Neem Tree was Sprayed with  termite protection, by  professional support using a backpack tank -and sprayer.

7.Organised a Compost Drum with Organic only (leaves etc) -will have  to see how this works out.

8 Reassessed the Garbage Management on my Road--spoke to the Dept. staff and a few neighbours-- but frankly this is a sad ...pathetic story--of indifference. Whats wrong with us ? Civic Sense whither--??,Anyway must go on..will strive.

9. FInally re-aranged all plants in the pots to get   a balance in Sunlight, Air , Space and Drainage--in some cases  changed the soil  -re -potting as soil nutrition and drainage some times gets choked and earth hardens in the pot .

10. SUMMING UP

Gardening can be great fun for grandparents, family and young children - and and an opportunity to commune with nature and it relaxes us. Watering a garden, digging and helping is a part of SUPW in some schools and  is a delight  for a child of  any age.

Watching a plant grow and a flower bloom is sheer joy- Sitting out on a a porch or on a verandah after 6 pm is so restful- esp watching the trees & plants. I was happy to see today my dear sister' s prized plant stalk  the  April Lily blooming-2 on a stalk after a long time -

Also, Malli on a bush tranferred to a another pot with fresh earth- and the bottom cut  opento allow roots to go into the soil , -Today 3 buds have come on the plant -- despite Chennai's  temperatures  of 38 deg C..

Truly as the poet said " A thing of Beauty is a Joy for ever "

 

Finally:

Gardening is a nice hobby and a pastime of value to all- has therapeutiv value, soothes nerves and the Mind is  really at peace.Here in India, generally it is too often forgotten in the hustle and bustle of life -India Today?

Space limitation is ackd--but 5 plants in pots kept on a porch or verandah is a good gardening  start -and brings in much beauty and joy.

The ambience is also much improved.

 

Ficus  Ephiphytes on a wall nearby -appears !! Even one in a Pot with Tilasi-

Who grows and why it grows is a Mystery & Marvel of Nature, to be Appreciated-The final Baghban in Creation is the Divine alone.
no other explanation---OM Prakriti Namaha

Rgds all-

TR

EARTH Prayer from a Red Indian--

All Tribes and ancients respected Mother Earth as Sacred -
this is a prayer from the Ute Indian Tribe.
Rgds 

TR

Earth Teach Me to Remember...

Earth teach me stillness, as the grasses are stilled with light.

Earth teach me suffering, as old stones suffer with memory.

Earth teach me humility, as blossoms are humble with beginning.

Earth Teach me caring, as the mother who secures her young.

Earth teach me courage, as the tree which stands alone.

Earth teach me limitation, as the ant which crawls on the ground.

Earth teach me freedom, as the eagle which soars in the sky.

Earth teach me resignation, as the leaves which die in the fall.

Earth teach me regeneration, as the seed which rises in the spring.

Earth teach me to forget myself, as melted snow forgets its life.

Earth teach me to remember kindness, as dry fields weep in the rain.

UTE ~ North American Prayer

Prithvi पृथ्वी our Earth Mother

Prithvi पृथ्वी our Earth Mother

4rd April 2012.

Starting a series on 5 Elements " Pancha Mahabhutas" 001


Salutations to Earth Mother
Prithvi  पृथ्वी our Earth Mother --is the personification of -where we stand on, grow on and live In Pancha Mahabhutas is  the basic essence of the element earth.


Thus when we start our prayers we touch the earth in thanksgiving and also forgiveness .


Prithvi is best known by the name Dharti-Ma -and so many beautiful songs on her.
She  is also called Dhra,  Dhrithri, meaning that which holds everything. In Vaishnava temple esp in South Prithvi Devi, known Bhumi Devi & along with Sri Devi Lakshmi are worshipped.  


Refer Bhu Suktam and Sri Suktam chanted in most temples -
I also learnt that Prithvi Sukta of 63 verses is in the Atharva Veda


As Prithvi Mata "Mother Earth" is linked to the Aakash tattva -also called as Dyaus -Father Sky


Interestingly the Red Indian Chingachgook (the lone survivor) in classic and film "Last of Mohicans" by James F Cooper  says a prayer to Earth & Sky in the last scene -and earlier the hero Daniel refers to stars in "Father Sky"  too.


In the Rig Veda the Earth & Sky are referred to and  is  possibly the most Ancient worship of two sides of creation -as they compliment & supplement and were also known as "Dayaprithvi" .


Puranic lore has a lot on this in stories and legends and Bhu Devi is also associated with Go Mata -as the Giver.


As Mother of Sita devi in Treta Yuga-Ramayan, and in Satyabhama in Dwapara yuga Mahabharat period. Alamelu Mangamma or Sri Padmavathi Devi of Tiruchanur at Tirupati--All  had a similar beginning, being found in a ploughed field by Akasa Raja. In latter days as Andal in South,
Interesting fact is,  Bhu Devi  is seen in Indonesia "Ibu Pertwi" & in Eastern countries too.


 Bhumi Devi Gayatri Mantra
Om Vasundharaya vidmahe
Bhutadhatraya dhimahi
Tanno Bhumih prachodayat  
Meaning of Mantra “Om. Let us meditate on Bhumi Devi, the One who provides all , bless us with abundance."


21 aspects of Mother Nature in "nurture" are seen in the following.
Some are explained in Gita also.


As Provider
Bhumi ("Soil")

• Dhatri ("Nursing Mother")
• Dharitri ("Nurturer")
• Janitra ("Birthplace")
• Medini ("Nurturer")
• Prshni ("Mother of Plants")
• Vanaspatinam Grbhir Osadhinam ("Womb of Forest Trees and Herbs")
• Vishvadhaya ("All-Nourishing")
• Vishvagabha ("World's Womb")
• Vishvamshu ("Producer of Everything")
• Vishvasvam ("Source of Everything")

As Sustainer

• Dhara ("Upholder")
• Drdha ("Steady One")
• Kshama ("Patient One")
• Sthavara ("Stable One")
• Vishdava ("All-Preserving")
• Vishvadharini ("All-Supporting")
• Vishvamhara ("All-Bearing")

 

As Enricher

•  Ratnagarbha ("Repository of Gems"")
• Ratnavati ("Abounding in Jewels")
• Vasundhara ("Bearer of Treasure")--

 Namaskar to Mother Earth


COMPILED from many sources


Rgds
TR

Osmosis -Water for trees &Plants

30th March 2012.
Something to study -

How plants draw water- had to search and got an excellent one here-pl see  osmosis.

PLANTS--REF OSMOTIC PRESSURE ---VISUAL DEMO VIDEO of osmosis-

SO WELL EXPLAINED.

Wikepedia alo has it well covered 

TR

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072495855/student_view0/chapter2/animation__how_osmosis_works.html

Animation: How Osmosis Works

How do Plants &Trees in Metros get Water in the Summer in India -

30th March 2012.
GREETINGS

Q: How do Trees in Metros Survive without watering ?

Last month in Mumbai this was a question a Yoga Acharya , Mahaveer Sainik asked me on the steps of the Shree Babul Nath Shiva Mandir in Mumbai temple .He is residing at Babul Nath near the entrance of temple; When he saw me come down the high  steps slowly- studying the trees and taking photos from the steps on ---TREE WATCH ..Shri. Mahaveer was quite intrigued-and we got into a happy chat on Temple Trees asnd Babulnath is surrounded by many trees -In fact the location name comes from the Babul Tree. 

I asked him about  a bag  of sugar left at the foot of one tree-said it was left  for Ants in this Temple by Jain devotees.

I promised to send him some notes on his question;must add he was really good -esp in Yoga- Mudra pranayama was explained further to me- he gave me his book too.

He agreed to arrange Watering of the temple trees-God Bless--him

and thankful to meet such people on Travels & Tree Watch.
Rgds-
TR

ANSWERING: WATER FOR TREES :

Searched -this is what I learnt:

 

Tree roots seek out water and absorb soil solutions through osmosis...capillary action
Trees create their own supports with roots, trunks and limbs and in some cases seem to have a greater capacity to Regenerate .

 

From Science --gleaned this data:

QUOTE"

Negative hydrostatic pressure attracts nutrient-filled water through a wick, made up of xylem cells (using capillary action), to limbs and leaves hundreds of feet high. Leaf pores called stomata open to capture carbon dioxide for photosynthesis but necessarily lose massive amounts of water from evaporation into the Earth's atmosphere. This water loss from plants is called transpiration.

UNQUOTE

 

Ashwattha Tree at Babulnath -Ganeshji Vigraha -near steps leading to temple  

 

REVIEWING-Project :Trees,Plants - Nature and Children--

GREENING PROJECTS

 Project :Trees,Plants - Nature and Children--

Based on my resolutions taken at "Sankaranti 'Pongal" - Jan. 2011

Q: How does Go Green  fare  today -esp after all the buzz of  media hype and resolutions seen in last few years.?

REF: What we can do.

GOALS REVIEWED

1) Nurture own Garden with greater Care.--

Reasonably successful despite a harsh long Monsoon with insect s and fungal damage to some plants

2) Nurture Trees on our Road with Greater care- Community Development. 

Done to the best extent possible-my own physical and  health limitations permitting.

3) Distribute Tulasi or suitable plant in small pots (suited for Flats /

Verandahs) on special days. To my utter surprise many people did not want Tulasi saplings as they said impractical in High Rise Flats or need much care and are too sensitive, adding  they wither away fast --

Every day brings some surprise in this new era living it seems.

4) Organise Tree Tours/Talks (with a Botanist) ; presentations in forums.

Did not succeed -no one has Time for this -with so many other priorities  inc TV  time !!

5) Involve schools and take up “Children Connect with Nature”- by kindling

interest through Nature tours , picnics , parks, growing plants and caring

for a small garden -even a few small potted plants and Adopt or Plant a Tree

Project in association with organised Forums as a Volunteer.This makes a difference in eco protection and helps in so many ways, apart from adding beauty

Unsuccessful as schools have a " strictly syllabus"  Agenda. Tree Walks have been organised by a few Nature Associations -best to link to them and help there- I felt

Left me wondering what this system of Learning is really  all about as a practical -"hands on approach"- to sites , dumping grounds -collection processes in Chennai is visibly missing today  was completely missing inc tours -But God bless the children as they did all they could and gleaned a lot of data and presented on Power Point with voice  and all -Remarkable kids.  

NOTE: Encouraging school children in Nature Watch &Study is now all done on Computers and  theory mostly- My 11 yr. old grandson in 6th Std. with hios classmates did a remarkable Project on " Waste Management"- a good topic in Eco programes  as per his school curriculum --but all data was from Net surf via Google. Still admirable and well presented.

REF - 15th Jan 2011 Pongal Project " Trees-Plants - Nature and Children"  was very slow to even to gain acceptance; despite all efforts to encourage and popularise. 

Nevertheless one hopes for the best and 2011 'Khara Samvatsara' will be over soon. We soon have our own New year Yugadi  on 23rd March and 13th April-Tamil Varsha Pirappu. 

Looking forward to Greening Ahead in 2012.   

Rgds 

TR

Recap:  On a study of our shastra .

Om Vrikshanam Pataye Namah-

Om Vrikshe Namaha -- Om Harikeshe Namah

The Sri Rudram, Shree VS & Shree LS is replete with Divinity manifested in

Nature -eg. Om Jagat Vyapine Namaha in Shiva Ashtottara-73 namavalli

 

The Dance of Divinity –(note inspired by CCMT)

The dancing and swaying of trees esp tall coconut trees in the wind. Observe

all trees and plants on a windy day or when a gentle breeze sets in. The

long branches and leaves resemble the hair -locks of Lord Shiva in Sri

Rudram.This Cosmic vision is what our ancients saw in all of Nature –Prakruti; thus eco systems was not just revered, but also Worshipped, as Manifestations of the Divine.

The 5 Elements, the very Earth- sand, stone & clay and all in which the

roots of a tree are grounded, the sun that keeps us all alive, all animals,

birds, insects. We all are a part of this system and must Respect &Care for our ecosystems. 

Thank you,

Rgds 

TR