Chapter 252 - Greatness of Trees

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śūdra said:

1-2. This is a great miracle that Suras stand in the form of trees. At the advent of Cāturmāsya they reside in all the trees. O holy Sir, who are those Suras? Which Sura resides in which tree? Do narrate this to me in detail with a desire to bless me.

Gālava said:

3. They call water Amṛta (Nectar). During Cāturmāsya, the deities of the trees drink it as they please when it is gracefully held (and offered) by the Devas.

4. By drinking it, they are satisfied much. There is no doubt about it. They derive strength, refulgence, splendour, perfection and quickness of gait.

5. All these good things result from imbibing the liquid arising from a part of Kṛṣṇa (Viṣṇu). By drinking the everlasting Amṛta, some strength is obtained.

6. They praise that food (water) for ever. There is no doubt about it. Hence they drink water alone during the four months (Cāturmāsya).

7. The deities and Pitṛs residing in the trees drink the water with a desire for the welfare of all living beings.

Resorting to trees always in all the months is excellent.

8. If resorted to especially during Cāturmāsya, they cause all happiness.

Sprinkling trees with water mixed with gingelly seeds, yields all desired objectives.

9-10. Kṣīravṛkṣas (trees exuding milk-like juice) should be sprinkled with water mixed with milk. They bestow auspiciousness.

The four trees mentioned earlier by me bestow all desires especially during Cāturmāsya.

Brahmā resorts to Vaṭa (Banyan) and grants boons to living beings.

11. He has the association of Sāvitrī as well as the sacred gingelly seed white in colour and also an ornament. When the Lord is asleep, the service done with gingelly seeds is particularly highly beneficial.

12. Gingelly seeds are unparalleled in sacredness. Gingelly seeds facilitate the achievement of piety and wealth. Gingelly seeds give salvation too. Gingelly seeds dispel sins.

13. Gingelly seeds bestow special benefits. Gingelly seeds are destructive of enemies. Gingelly seeds are cited as the first among all meritorious things.

14. They say that gingelly seeds are no ordinary grain. They are remembered as divine grain. Hence, of all gifts, the gift of gingelly seeds is the greatest and most excellent.

15. O son of a Śūdra, if gingelly seeds are gifted along with gold by anyone it amounts to the destruction of sinś like Brāhmaṇa-murder by him.

16. Sāvitrī and gingelly seeds are mentioned as promoters of all tasks and objectives. One should offer libation with gingelly seeds, especially during Cāturmāsya.

17. Seeing gingelly seeds is meritorious. So also is touching them, performing Homa with them, eating them and smearing the body with them (as paste).

18. In every respect, this gingelly plant is destructive of sins by its mere sight. If it is resorted to especially in Cāturmāsya it bestows all happiness.

19. Mahendra dwells in Yava (barley) and is engaged in the welfare of living beings. Resorting to Yava is meritorious. So also is its sight and touch.

20. One should offer libation with Yava grains. If it is offered to deities, it has everlasting benefit.

All the Prajāpatis (patriarchs) dwell in Cūta-vṛkṣa (mango tree).

21. Gandharvas occupy Malaya tree (Sandal tree). Gaṇanāyaka occupies Aguru (Agallochum). The oceans occupy Vetasa reed. Yakṣas occupy Punnāga tree.

22. Nāgas occupy Nāga (betel) tree; Siddhas Kaṅkola tree; Guhyakas Panasa tree (jack fruit tree) and Kinnaras resort to Marīca (pepper creeper).

23. Kandarpa has resorted to Yaṣṭimadhu (sugarcane?) plant. Vahni (Fire-god) stands resorting to the great tree Raktāñjana.

24. Yama presides over Vibhītaka (Terminalia belerica); Nairṛtādhipa occupies Bakula, Varuṇa Kharjūrī tree (date palm) and Maruta Pūga tree.

25. Dhanada (Kubera) occupies Akṣoṭaka tree; Rudras, Badarī tree. Mahātāla (palms) belongs to (occupied by) the Saptaṛṣis (Seven Sages). Bahula (cardamon, indigo plant) is chosen by the immortal ones.

26. Jaṃbū tree is surrounded by clouds. It is dark in colour and is destructive of sins. It is like Kṛṣṇa in colour. Hence, Jaṃbū is the most excellent one among trees.

27. If the fruits thereof are gifted, Vāsudeva becomes pleased. People should feed Brāhmaṇas at the foot of a Jaṃbū tree.

28. Hari becomes pleased with them and he bestows all the four Puruṣārthas (aims of life). At the advent of Cāturmāsya when Lord Janārdana is asleep, devotees are expected to feed Brāhmaṇas.

29. He who remains clean and feeds Brāhmaṇa couples, becomes the favourite of Nārāyaṇa, the consort of Lakṣmī.

30. A man can become blessed and has his objects achieved if he and his wife (adore Brāhmaṇas) for the satisfaction of Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa after adorning them with splendid ornaments and robes.

31. If a Brāhmaṇa is fed with Jaṃbū fruits he gets the benefit of feeding them for three nights with the fruits of Vaṭa and Aśoka.

32-33. On that day he shall have only Ekabhukta (one meal). He shall be contented thereby.

Why should much be said? By worshipping Jaṃbū, one undoubtedly becomes rich with sons, grandsons and wealth.

Jaṃbu is surrounded by clouds and Aśoka by lightning.

34. The great tree Priyāla is accepted by Vasus, Japā tree by Ādityas and Madana by the Aśvins.

35. Madhūka tree is accepted by Viśvedevas, Gaggulu [Guggulu] by Piśītāśanas (demons). Arka is adopted by Sūrya (Sun), the pure one. Tripatraka (Palāśa tree) is adopted by Soma, the sacred one (Moon, Śiva).

36. Khadira is adopted by the Son of the Earth (i.e Mars), Apāmarga by Budha, Aśvattha by Guru (Bṛhaspati) and Uduṃbara by Śukra.

37. Śamī has been adopted by Śanaiścara (Saturn) and Śūdra castes. Dūrvā suitable for offering libation to Pitṛs has been adopted by Rāhu.

38-40. It is always a favourite of Viṣṇu and especially so during Cāturmāsya.

Darbha that is highly beneficial and befitting Yajñas has been adopted by Ketu. Without Darbha no auspicious rite can become complete. It is the most sacred of all sacred things and the most auspicious of all auspicious things. It is a great plant standing on the earth. It has the form of salvation in the case of those about to die. Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva always stay therein.

41. They stay at the root, in the centre and on the top. Its name too gives satisfaction. The other Devas too occupy those trees.

42. The great trees function undoubtedly during the four months with the help of these trees.

During Cāturmāsya all the wives of Devas resort to the creepers.

43-44. If they are served (resorted to), they grant men their cherished desires.

Hence if one resorts to Pippala, it is as good as all the trees have been resorted to especially during Cāturmāsya. If the Tulasī plant is served it is as good as all the creepers have been served.

45-46. The entire universe beginning with Brahṃā and ending with a blade of grass has been served and developed well.

If it is served by a householder or a retired man, or a bachelor or a recluse during, Cāturmāsya it grants salvation. One shall not cut off any of these trees.

47-48. Cutting during special occasion of Yajña is permitted.

Except on these occasions the trees mentioned earlier should not be cut.

Thus everything I was asked by you has been described by me.

O son of Śūdra, you had asked as to how all the Devas adopted the trees.

49-50. By seeing these (trees) one will never see Naraka: One Aśvattha, one Picumanda, one Nyagrodha, ten Tittiḍīs (tamarind) and the set of three viz. Kapittha, Bilva and Āmalakī. All the Devas occupy all the trees. They have Kṛṣṇa as their support, Kṛṣṇa in the centre and Kṛṣṇa at the top. He is that Lord who is worthy of being adored by the entire universe and if he is adored and served all the world becomes satisfied.