Hinduism : the Role of Fruits and Flowers

Hinduism is perhaps better described as an Eco-friendly way of life. People belonging to this system of belief have learnt to co-exist with nature and also include nature in their daily life and worship.

Elaborate rituals have been woven into the day to day existence of human beings that involve the use of flowers, fruits, herbs etc. The followers see God in every object in the Universe and worship God in the form of air, water, fire, Sun, Moon, Stars, and Earth is specially recommended. Earth is worshipped as the spouse of God, hence very dear and near to God. All lives on Earth are considered as children of God and Earth and are sacred. The message of Hinduism is to conserve ecology or perish.

Hinduism is animistic in its rituals. Therefore fruit, flowers, herbs, trees, rivers, mountains and other forms of nature form an integral part or the every day life of Hindus and in their method of worship. Perhaps the most important of all these forms of nature is the tree. A tree is seen as a living entity, a personality in its own right. It bears flowers, fruits and provides shade that is greatly valued. Since it embodies in itself utility and necessity, it is venerated. Trees, flowers and fruits are sculpted into the walls of temples and worshipped. Interestingly, most of these sacred trees have flowers and fruits that are rich in medicinal and nutritive value, and also yield useful timber.

In the flowering season or Phagun (February March), trees are worshipped, blessings of Gods and Goddesses inhabiting the trees are invoked. This is very important and the belief is that displeasure of these deities can lead to inadequate harvest .This is the celebration of spring and different regions celebrate it in different ways. Flowers and fruits associated with love and fertility are gathered like mahua, mango flowers, Asoka blossoms, offered to Kama, the God of Love, Shiva, the God of Fertility and to Krishna, the romantic God. Spring is also marked by the festival of Holi, which is actually a fertility ritual. Originally people sprinkled pollen, other plant powders, like vermilion, sandalwood, musk etc. on each other, perhaps with the intention of transferring the fertility of flowers on to human beings. Now traditional flower powders and colours are not used that often. Chemically made colour is used.

Hindus regard the Bael tree (Aegle Marmelos) as a plant of Lord Shiva and the wood and bark used in the ritualistic pooja or worship. Indian summersare very hot and the dense foliage of the tree is useful for its shade. The fruit of the Bael contains a medicinal element called marmalosin. Its bark exudes a kind of gum which is sweet like honey and is used for making squash. Children eat it when raw and also when ripe. Half-ripe Bel fruit is regarded as astringent, digestive, appetizer and gives relief from dysentery. The pulp of ripe fruit, being sweet, is used in marmalade. The gum is also used as adhesive. It is a very useful tree and therefore considered sacred and used for worship.

Coconut is used as a symbol of fertility. At the end of any ritualistic worship, the priest places a coconut in the lap of the woman, thus filling her lap. Turmeric, betel leaves and nuts, fresh fruits and flowers are offered to newly wed brides for fertility. The jack fruit ( a close cousin of the breadfruit) is also used as a symbol of fertility. Both of these fruits are nutritious and have medicinal properties.

Ancient Hinduism used animal sacrifice to propitiate the deities. In this it was similar to other religions. As time passed, it became more and more pacific and non violent in nature. Fruits and flowers replaced the blood and body parts of animals. Generally white and sweet smelling flowers are offered to deities for worship. However red flowers can be offered to Gods and Goddesses associated with war and aggression such as Kali and Shiva, as a substitute to blood sacrifice. Aquatic flowers like lotus are woven into garlands and offered to Gods and Goddesses of wisdom like Saraswati and Vishnu.

Marriages also involve the use of flowers and fruits. Flowers which are used for worship as well as those that grow in cemeteries or cremation grounds are not given to human beings or used in marriages or other rites having growth and prosperity for their object. Marigold or Chrysanthemum segetum is traditionally used in marriages. Marigold is also used as a treatment for night sweats, fever, spasms, contusions, wounds, simple sores and ulcers, chronic vomiting, suppurative discharges and drainings, burns, and all breaches of the skin surface. The ancient Hindus knew its value and used it for their growth and prosperity rites.