Tree Worship: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Tree Worship means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
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In Hinduism
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramTrees, forests and groves close to human settlements have been venerated throughout the subcontinent up to the present day as the abodes of deities and a range of supernatural beings. [...] The Mahābhārata recommends that those desiring children should worship the goddesses born of trees. These tree and vegetation spirits who accepted offerings of liquor along with animal and even human sacrifices, were amongst the precursors of the numerous Yoginīs, Bhairavas and Vīras who populate the Bhairava and Kaula Tantras. These too are closely associated with trees to which they are commonly related. Yakṣas still form a part of the goddess’s entourage and Kubjikā herself is sometimes identified as one.
Note: In the Kaula and related Tantras, such beings came to be identified with Yoginīs and so the trees they inhabited as Yakṣinīs came to be venerated as Kula trees (kulavṛkṣa) in which Yoginīs reside.
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (shaktism)Tree worship (for example, the bilva tree) formed a part of the Navarātra Tantric ritual (an autumnal festival of the warrior goddess Caṇḍikā).—The sixth (ṣaṣṭhī) and the seventh (saptamī) lunar days involve awakening the goddess in a bilva tree (bodhana), worship of goddess as Cāmuṇḍā and Kālī in the branch, summoning her nine radiations in nine leaves (navapatrapūjā/patrikāpūjā), enlivening an unfired clay image of the goddess (prāṇapratiṣṭhā).—Various 8th century sources refer to rituals such as the worship of trees, for example: Devīpurāṇa, Kālikāpurāṇa, Kṛtyakalpataru, Durgābhaktitaraṅgiṇī, Durgāpūjātattva, Durgāpūjāviveka, Bhadrakālīmantravidhiprakaraṇa in Sanderson (2007); account of the Durgā Pūjā in Kelomal, West Bengal (Nicholas 2013).
Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.
India history and geography
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram (history)Tree Worship in Ancient India:—The worship of trees in the Indian subcontinent and, indeed, wherever there have been human beings, is very ancient. The famous hymn in the Atharvaveda to the Cosmic Tree and the identification in the Upaniṣads of the Brahman with this Tree are well-known and attest to the importance of tree worship in the popular culture of the early Vedic people and, no doubt, the other inhabitants of the regions to which they spread. The association of the feminine with vegetation and growth is well known throughout the world and is especially well represented in India. An image found on a seal at Mohenjendaro (2500 BCE) of a tree growing up out of the womb of a woman with her legs spread open as if in the act of giving birth, testify to the antiquity of this association.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Worship, Tree.
Full-text: Pandukabhaya, Bhaktiyoga, Bilva, Koshala.
Relevant text
Search found 8 books and stories containing Tree Worship; (plurals include: Tree Worships). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Jainism in Odisha (Orissa) (by Ashis Ranjan Sahoo)
Jain Iconography in Odisha (Introduction) < [Chapter 6]
Jaina Antiquities at Khandagiri Hills (Khordha) < [Chapter 3: Survey of Jaina Antiquities in Odisha]
The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 9 - The Story of Hunter Vasu: The Greatness of Padmasaras < [Section 1 - Veṅkaṭācala-māhātmya]
Chapter 12 - The Efficacy of Dhātrī < [Section 4 - Kārttikamāsa-māhātmya]
The Padma Purana (by N.A. Deshpande)
Chapter 12 - The Greatness of the Holy Fig Tree < [Section 7 - Kriyāyogasāra-Khaṇḍa (Section on Essence of Yoga by Works)]
Vedic influence on the Sun-worship in the Puranas (by Goswami Mitali)
Part 7 - Religion of the Purāṇas < [Chapter 3 - General Characteristics of the Purāṇic Religion and its Link with the Vedic Tradition]
Dipavamsa (study) (by Sibani Barman)