Banyan tree – A Symbol of Immortality

Banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) is a huge,Magnificent, mystical, tranquil, amazing tree found in India and parts of asia. I remember as a child, I used to climb this tree at the     

Banyan Tree with its prop roots

backyard of my grandfather's house. It’s interesting that a house was built under the shade of this tree because, Banyan tree is known for its strong and stubborn aerial roots that grown into the ground and also the roots get into the foundations of the house making cracks in the walls and unsteady pillars. The tree must have been at least 200 years old. One day my Grandfather thought of cutting down the tree and he consulted some wise man to get their opinion. One them was a Ayurvedic doctor who suggested that the should not be cut down at any cost because, Banyan tree represents trimurtis - Trunk representing Lord Vishnu, roots Lord Brahma and branches Lord Shiva. It is also said that Lord Shiva sits under the tree facing south. It is also said that the sap of the tree, the leaves, the bark etc. are all useful in Ayurveda medicines. So, my Grandfather actually listened to the advice of the Kaviraj - the Physician and decided not to touch the tree. And, the house foundations, walls etc. started giving away due to the infiltration of the roots of the great Banyan tree. So, they left the tree and demolished the house to build a new one that's far off to the location of the tree. As a child, I was quite happy with this decision, because this Banyan tree used to be favourite outing place to watch numerous birds that come to feed on the fruits, Parrots that nest there regularly in the crevices of the branches and squirrels that run around on the branches. Interestingly the place where I currently work, there is a park and has about 5 Fig trees. (Which are Akin to Banyan trees).

Fig trees at Melbourne

During lunch time, I like to walk around them. There are also numerous folk tales and belief centered around this tree. It was believed that, Banyan tree is a place where Brahma Rakshas, Ghosts inhabit and in the famous Vikram Bhetaal story, The Bhetaal is a Vampire possessing occult powers, residing in the corpse of a dead body on the Banyan tree. A mendicant requests King Vikram to bring Bheetal to him and the king, a s a mark of respect for Saintly people and to show his chivalry carries Bhetaal from the tree to the Mendicant. In the processes Bhetaal starts talking to the king, tells him a story and questions (based on the Characters from his story)why a person acted in such a way. I can’t remember the whole story but, here is the Catch21- if the King knows the answer but doesn’t reply to Bheetal, the Kings head will be broken into 100 pieces and if the king talks, the Ghost will go back to his place think, think happens for 25 times and finally, Bhetaal is happy with the king and gives him a crucial information that the mendicant is not so pious and has plans of killing and sacrificing the king to Kali. So, the king actually kills the Mendicant before he could kill him and Bhetaal continues to him after words etc.

Coming back to the Banyan tree, this is called as Vata Vruksha.because of its huge roots and kalpavriksha, because it is said to fulfil the desires of the people. The way the tree got its name is also interesting. Apparently, during the time of British, when they came to India, they saw lot of Merchants (Banias) gathering and sitting under this Fig tree and hence, they called this as Banyan tree. But, it is a common practice in Indian villages that Banyan tree is associated with Lord Shiva. Many places, we see the Symbol - The Lingam of Lord Shiva is placed under this tree and worshipped. Also, this tree is associated with Buddhism as well. It is said that Lord Buddha sat under Banyan tree for 7 days after he got enlightenment.

In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says, "Of all trees, I am the Banyan Tree". By the way, Banyan tree is the national tree of India. Usually, in every village in India, there is a Banyan tree and it is a common practice that people come out in the evenings to sit under the tree for a chat or sometimes, the village courts are conducted under the tree. To give you an idea of how a giant Banyan trees looks like, I am giving you some link below,

1. The Great Banyan tree located in Kolkatta,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Banyan

2. There is one in Andhra Pradesh, India which is spread over 19,107 sq meters,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thimmamma_Marrimanu

3. Pillalamarri, Peerlamarri or Peerla marri is an 800-year-old Banyan tree located in Mahabubnagar, Andhra Pradesh, India.

4. There is one in Chennai, Adiyar.

This blog has nice photos of the tree. http://adayarbanyantree.blogspot.com/