Kalpavriksha

In different states of India some trees are specifically referred to as the Kalpavriksha. These are stated below.

The banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis), also called Nyagrodha tree, which grows throughout the country is referred to as Kalpavriksha or Kalpataru because of its ability to amply provide for human needs.^[13][9]

The coconut tree (

Shami tree (Prosopis cineraria), found in desert areas of the country, called in local dialect as Ajmer or jaant is called Kalpavriksha. In Rajasthan desert area its roots go deep to a depth of 17–25 metres (56–82 ft). This checks the erosion of the sandy soil of the desert. For this reason the tree stays green even during drought conditions. People of Rajasthan hence regard this tree as Kalpavriksha, because at the time of drought when no grass or fodder is found anywhere the animals are able to sustain by eating its green leaves.^[17]

Chyur tree in the high altitudes of the Himalayas growing at an altitude between 500 and 1000 m, known as the Indian butter tree (Diploknema butyracea), is called a Kalpavriskha, or tree of paradise by the people of the mountainous region as it yields honey, jaggery and ghee. It is in the shape of an umbrella.^[18]

In

In Ranchi, Jharkhand, there are three Kalpavrikshas. They are at a locality called Hinoo.

In Tamil Nadu's culture, tala (

In the

Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, is only found in heaven. The tree has mythological link with prince Arjuna of the Pandava clan who is said to have brought it from heaven. His mother Kunti after whom the village Kintoor is named used to offer flowers from this tree to worship Lord Shiva. It is also said that Lord Krishna brought this tree from heaven to please his wife Satyabhama.^[22]

Kalpalatha is another wish fulfilling tree, a creeper, which was extolled during the later part of the Aryan period. It is said that a person standing below this tree would be blessed with beautiful ornaments, dresses and even unmarried girls.[23]

In Thailand, pink shower tree (Cassia bakeriana) is also called the Kalpavriksha or Kanlapaphruek in local dialect. It is believed to be the tree of success.^[24]

Iconography

Lokesvara

with a kaprabrikshya, 19th century, gilt bronze, semiprecious stones

In

Gupta period.^[25]

Kalpavriksha is also dated to the

Sunga period as seen in the image of "Salabhanvka" in the railing pillars.^[26]

In most paintings of Kalpavriksha Shiva and Parvati are a common feature. It forms a canopy over Shiva. In one painting Paravati is paying obeisance to Lord Shiva with her hands held up in adoration when she is blessed with a stream of water from the Kalpavriksha.[27]

Literature

A Kalpavriksha is mentioned in the Sanskrit work

Hemādri's work Caturvargacīntama, the Kalpavriksha is said to be a tree of gold and gem stones.^[28]

In poetry Kalpavriksha is compared to

Sarayu river challenging Kusa considered an incarnation of Vishnu just in the disguise as a son.^[29]

Kalidasa, in his poetry Meghadūta epitomizing wish-fulfilling trees found in the capital of the Yaksha king extols the virtues of Kalpavriksha as "the dainties and fineries for the fair women of Alaka, coloured clothes for the body, intoxicating drinks for exciting glances of the eyes, and flowers for decorating the hair and ornaments of various designs".^[30]

See also

• Hindu- Buddhism related
  • Kalpataru Day
  • Cassia fistula, the Golden Shower Tree which is special in Thai culture.
  • Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend
• Sacred related
  • Sacred trees
    • Bodhi Tree
    • Largest Banyan trees
    • Sacred groves
    • Sacred groves of India
    • Trees in mythology
    • Tree worship
  • Sacred mountains
  • Sacred natural site
  • Sacred rivers
  • Sacred site
• General
  • Tree of life

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kalpavriksha.

Notes

1. ^ Also known as kalpataru, kalpadruma, kalpa vruksham, kalpapādapa, and karpaga vriksham.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Agrawala 2003, p. 87.
2. ^ Toole 2015, p. 73.
3. ^ ^{a b c d} Beer 2003, p. 19.
4. ^ ^{a b c} Dalal 2014, p. 620.
5. ^ ^{a b c} "Background Context and Observation Recording" (PDF). Sacred Plants. National Informatics Center Rajasthan Forest Department. pp. 23–24. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
6. ^ Sivkishen 2015, p. 578.
7. ^ ^{a b} "Kalchakra". Jainism simplified. University of Michigan.
8. ^ Umakant P. Shah 1987, p. 71.
9. ^ ^{a b} Gupta 1991, p. 48.
10. ^ Randhawa 1964, p. 10.
11. ^ Padma 2013, p. 83.
12. ^ Maddegama, Udaya (1993). Sermon of the Chronicle-to-be. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 32.
13. ^ Jha 2013, p. 83.
14. ISBN 978-81-8424-065-8
    .
15. ^ Samarth & Kendra 2008, p. 173.
16. ^ Rastogī 2008, p. 46.
17. ^ Rastogī 2008, p. 53.
18. ^ Rastogī 2008, p. 25.
19. ^ Limaye, Anita (1 June 2006). "Visit the 2,400 year old Kalpavriksh". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 3 October 2015.
20. ^ ^{a b} Nair 2007, p. 65.
21. ^ Jha 2013, p. 111.
22. ^ Wickens 2008, p. 61.
23. ^ Randhawa & Mukhopadhyay 1986, p. 2.
24. ^ "กัลปพฤกษ์ ไม้มงคลแห่งความสำเร็จ". Kasettoday (in Thai).
25. ^ Bajpai 2004, p. 152.
26. ^ The Journal of the Bihar Purāvid Parishad. Bihar Puravid Parishad. 1992. p. 302.
27. ^ Dehejia 1999, p. 96.
28. ISBN 978-1-134-81623-1
    .
29. ^ Sivaramamurti 1980, p. 74.
30. ^ Cunningham 1962, p. viii.

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