Srimathe Ranga Ramanuja
Mahadesikaya Namaha:
WHY SRIVILLIPUTTUR IS KNOWN AS ‘’CHEVVAI’ (MARS)
PARIHARA STHALAM ? PART 3
( by
Dasan Kudanthai Amudhan)
BANYAN/ PEEPAL TREES CONNOTATION WITH MARS-
Both Banyan and peepal trees are of the same family of Fig tree species ( family
moraceac). Banyan tree is known as “
Aala maram” and peepal tree is known as “Arasa maram” or bodhi tree or ashvatha.
Both are considered by Hindus as ‘sacred trees’. They are expansive in nature
with many branches and trunks. They grow more than 100 ft height. They could
live more than 1000 years without any care. There are quite differences between
banyan tree and peepal tree . Banyan tree derives its name from baniyas, the
trader community in ancient days in bharath who used to assemble and discuss
business matters under the shadows of this tree. Peepal tree is known as ‘ashvatha’
derived its name from horses that were halted during their night stays under
this trees by the travelers in ancient days.
Both
the trees differ on its leaves and roots. Peepal tree leaves are heart shaped
yellowish green with tapering tail like a serpent whereas banyan tree leaves
are large leathery dark green with elliptical oval shaped size. Similarly
banyan trees have aerial roots reaching down to the earth in the form of thick
pillars while peepal trees roots sprout upward from the earth to grow as thick
supporting trunks. Both tree leaves will
ooze out a milky white fluid if broken. Similarly both trees produce fruits without
blooming. The fruits emerge from the angle between the leafstalks and branches.
since fig trees bear fruits without flowering, its red fruits are eaten by all birds,
flying foxes, bats and squirrels due to its sweety taste .
Both
trees are worshipped by married women on fridays for well being of their
family. since these trees are believed to be the symbol of fertility, childless
couples worship it by tying threads of red and yellow around it to pray for progeny.
A hymn of rig veda (1,24,7) speaks of the roots of a cosmic banyan tree being
held up in the sky by god varuna.Lord vishnu is believed to be resting in
peepal – ashvatha tree.Sri krishna said in bhagvath gita ‘’Among the trees I am
the ashvatha’.In bhagvath gita ( 15-1)
lord Krishna said “one who knows the banyan tree is the knower of Vedas”
which means those who know the nature of banyan tree can possess the knowledge
of reality. Banyan tree was the witnesses of
lord krishnas delivering the sermons of bhagvath gita to arjuna and also
the vishwarupam of lord krishna in his
universal form of manifestation.Lord krishna is believed to have ascended to
heaven only from banyan tree.Banyan tree was one of the witnesses of loan
agreement between lord srinivasar and kubera apart from
shiva and brahma.
The
negative point common to both the above epiphytic fig trees are that it
strangle its host tree or break up the buildings since it fuses its aerial or earthy
roots in to the barks of host trees or the buildings till it overrides the host
trees from top to bottom and cover the host trees from the fall of sun light
rays thereby eventually killing it to become itself as an independent tree. Both trees grow
everywhere without soil and its seeds carried forth by birds poo would land up
in buildings or gutters where it has the ability to sprout on wall fissures or crakes.
Their roots will be thicken and eventually break up the buildings by strangling
the host trees or buildings if allowed to grow on it.Hence both peepal and banyan trees are known as ‘’strangling figs’
since their aerial or earthy roots coil around the host trees and thicken its long
roots over a period of time and strangle it.So banyan/peepal trees are also
called as ‘muruku’ meaning as “to twist‘ or kolli’ derived from ‘Kol’ or ‘to
seize”. Both fig trees and serpents symbolizes immortality,growth and
wisdom.Serpents eat their new born babies similar to banyan trees not allowing
their cuttings or seedlings to be propagated
under its shadow cover.Both are expansive in nature. Mars in Persian
language gives the meaning as “snake”which symbolize the worship of banyan
trees.
Indus
seals and inscriptions of ( Harappa and mohannjodara) show in its
many tablets, a Ram headed ( goat
headed ) but otherwise an anthropoid morphed deity inside a fig tree whose arms
are full of bangles in great length. These arms resemble to the hanging aerial
roots of a banyan tree.Rig veda (khila 4,13) mentioned about a ram headed deity
‘nejamesa’ is being asked to bring the embryo of a beautiful male child.’Nejamesa’
was said to be the child protecting god and embryo transferring deity. Rig veda
stanza 1,24,7 mentioned the connection between the pole star and its
association with cosmic banyan tree.
From
this it is clear that banyan/peepal trees have connotation with the deity of
fertility with embryo transferring power which could be of ‘’yoga maya’’the
goddess who transferred the embryo of devaki to rohinis womb for giving birth of balarama,the
avatar of adishesa upon the instruction
of lord vishnu who dwells in peppal trees in addition to being in cosmic milky
ocean.Banyan trees are said to release a chemical ‘serotonin’ a monoamine neuro
transmitter in the air during early mornings.This chemical found in the human
brain generates a feeling of well being and regulate our emotions. This tree
has the ability to trap lots of suspended particles. The upward circles of the
leaves facilitate better photosynthesis and release more oxygen compared to
other trees in the night.
Spiritual
seekers and red cloth worn saints/ sages sit under the shadows of banyan trees
to get spiritual enlightenment. Gautama attained nirvana as Bhuddha after he
sat under the peepal tree ( bodhi ).Traditionally thread wearing ceremonies are
conducted for peepal trees in villages besides marriages are solemnized between
feminine symbolized banyan tree with nearby masculine symbolized peepal tree in
coastal orissa state to bring happiness, prosperity and getting progeny for the
childless couples.Ancient vedic rituals will start first fire by a fig twig of
peepal tree.
Mars is called as “சேய்’ (child).He
is associated with red cloth, sages, saints, Bhumi, ant hills, Brain,
Buildings, Serpents, Fertility, Progeny, Goat/Ram Vahana (ram headed deity of
banyan tree), Marriage and banyan trees ect. Banyan trees because of its spirituality and its epiphytic strangling
nature, mars by virtue of this nature reflect both positive and negative gunas.
Hence mangalan (chevvai) is synonym with banyan tree in many
respects.Significantly many poems have been written about banyan trees which
also attract young poets by offering shadows to give creative thoughts to write
poems.Sri Andal, the only woman poetess is hailed from this vata-kshetram. Valmiki
means in Sanskrit “anthills” which is believed to be the ears of earth as per Vedas.Hence the poet valmiki named
after the anthills who became the poet to write a great epics Ramayana in
poetical form.So Chevvai is closely connected to this tree vatavriksha ( banyan
trees) , serpents, creative and spiritual thoughts in mind.
3) VATAPATRASAYEE
-
Lord Vishnu is resting in two places. 1) Reclining on the coiled serpent adiseshan in Yoga
nidra at cosmic milky ocean - paarkadal.
2) Lying in a peepal leaf as a child during the cosmic deluge (Peepal tree or Arasa maram or ashvatha or
Bhogi tree, a specie of the fig tree family is mentioned in azhwar pasurams as “Banyan
tree“(Aala maram). Azhwars mentioned in their pasurams as “ Aala maram’ due to
its ancient vogue for long time.The Moolavar of Srivilliputtur is called as “Vatapatrasayee” meaning “Vata” for banyan
tree “patra” for leaf and “sayee” for reclining on this. Sri andal talks of
her love and attraction for Vatapatrasayee in
her நாச்சியார் திருமொழி as “பாலாலிலையில் துயில்கொண்ட பரமன் வலைப்பட்டிருந்ததேனை”. Periazhwar
mentioned as “ஆலத்திலையான் அரவினணைமேலான், நீலக்கடலுள் நெடுங்காலம் கண்வளர்ந்தான்”.
After
the pralayam, the virtual end of universe, Lord Mukunta who after consuming the
entire universe in his Stomach was found floating on a banyan leaf as a small
radiant child in void space before he
starts the next creation. This was witnessed by sage Markandaya,the only
solitary Survivor when Lord Krishna reduced his size to a small child just to
fit enough for lying on a tiny banyan leaf with his toe chewing in mouth held
steady by one hand amidst in swirling waters of cosmic deluge after having
stored all beings and objects in his capacious tummy. This is described in many
scriptures and pictured nicely in Bala mukundashtakam.
கராரவிந்தேந பதாரவிந்தம், முகாரவிந்தே விநிவேஸயந்தம்
|
வடஸ்ய பத்ரஸ்ய புடே ஸயாநம், பாலம் முகுந்தம் மநஸா ஸ்ம்ராமி ||
|| ஸ்ரீ பாலமுகுந்தாஷ்டகம்
by Leela shukar
by Leela shukar
Thus banyan tree and its leaf not only
is able to survive when the
entire universe is totally wiped out and
gone inside the Stomach of supreme lord, but also provide a place for resting
to the lord.Tiruppanazhwar wonders in
his pasuram as to how lord could be lying down on a tiny banyan leaf when it is too small.
“ஆலமாமரத்தினிலைமேல்
ஒருபாலகனாய்
ஞாலமேழும் உண்டான் அரங்கத்தரவிணையான்
கோலம்மமணியாரமும் முத்துத்தாமமும்
முடிவில்லதோரெழில்
நீலமேனி ஜ்யோ! நிறைகொண்டது என்நெஞ்சினையே
“|
திருப்பாணாழ்வார் திருமொழி
Thirumazhisai azhwar declared the child Krishna as“Adhi devan” being the creater and destroyer of universe (srishti/ pralayam) which
he does while resting on a banyan leaf.
“பண்டும் இன்றும் மேலுமாய் ஓர் பாலனாகி ஞாலமேழ்
உண்டுமண்டி ஆலிலைத்துயின்ற ஆதிதேவனே
!
- திருமழிசை
ஆழ்வார் திருமொழி
Namazhwar says that
devas were not aware of sri krishnas maya lilas when he was lying on a banyan
leaf after having swallowed the entire universe.
“ஆலினீளிலையேமுலகமுண்டு அன்றுநீ கிடந்தாய்
உன்மாயங்கள் மேலைவானவரும் அறியார்
இனிஎம்பரமே?
- நம்மாழ்வார் திருவாய்மொழி
Thirumazhisai
azhwar mentioned about the significance of banyan tree not only in giving its
shadows for the teaching of scriptures of knowledge like Vedas but also lending
its leaf as a bed for the supreme lord to rest.
“ஆல நிழல் கீழ் அற நெறியை நால்வர்க்கு
“ஆல நிழல் கீழ் அற நெறியை நால்வர்க்கு
வேலை யுகத்து உரைத்தான் மெய்த் தவத்தோன்
– ஞாலம்
அளந்தானை ஆழி கிடந்தானை ஆல் மேல்
வளர்ந்தானைத் தான் வண்ங்குமாறு
!” -
திருமழிசை ஆழ்வார்
திருமழிசை ஆழ்வார்
Sri
poigai azhwar wonders in his pasuram as
to where the banyan leaf came from and how could be a banyan tree rooted in the
Sky or in the water or in land during
the cosmic deluge when everything was swallowed by the child bala Krishna who
kept the universe in his stomach and
rested on a banyan leaf.
“ பாலன் தனதுருவாய்
ஏழுலகுண்டு ஆலிலையின்
It
is Poigai azhwar who himself cleared his own doubts by declaring that it is the
serpent Adi sesha who formed bed to the lord as banyan leaf “
புல்கும் அணையாகம் திருமாற்கு அரவு’
‘சென்றால் குடையாம், இருந்தால் சிங்காதனமாம்,
நின்றால் மரவடியாம், நீள்கடலுள் – என்றும்
புணையாம், மணிவிளக்காம், பூம்பட்டாம்,
புல்கும் அணையாகம் திருமாற்கு அரவு’-
பொய்கையாழ்வார் முதல் திருவந்தாதி
Sri
kulasekara azhwar pasuram implies that white adisesha is holding the earth on its
1000 heads which reflect the light similar to the radiance of navarathanas from
its eyes while forming itself as bed to
the supreme lord.
“ஆயிரங்களார்ந்த
அரவரசப் பெருஞ்சோதி அனந்தனென்னும் அணி விளங்கும்
உயர் வெள்ளை அணைய மேவி”-குலசேகராழ்வார் திருமொழி
From the above two pasurams,it is clear that tiny peepal leaf is none but an amsam
of adiseshan who assumed the role of bed to the child Bala krishna for resting at the time of pralayam when the leaf was
floating in the void space. Peepal tree leaf is
heart shaped light greenish yellow color giving the impression of
serpents hood.The peepal leaf has tapering
tail at the end appearing to be like
serpents tail. These fig trees which are called as “Strangling trees’ of
epiphytic nature have strong connection to the worship of snakes.One can see in
village temples many stone images of
nagas are placed under the peepal/banyan trees and worshipped by women for
begetting children and for the welfare of family.In vaishnavaite temples, small
Bala Krishna in sayana kolam under
adisesha, the symbolic of peepal leaf is worshipped for progeny and for well being
of family.Serpents are the reptiles of Chevvai and its worship is normally
popular during the month of “Aadi” or Kataka masam.
Aadi month and chevvai -Aadi is the solar month of tamil almanac when sun transit
through cancer (kataka) sign in the constellation of punarvasu,pushuam,auyiluam
in chain, the birth stars of lord Rama, baratha and lakshmana respectively
known as “brotherhood stars”. Dakshinayana starts when sun transit through
cancer sign during Aadi month towards the southern hemisphere. South is the
direction of Chevvai.Mars gets neecha in cancer sign during Aadi month.Mars
denotes brotherhood.Therefore auspicious functions are not conducted during
Aadi month since ‘Mangalan’ is neecha and loses its power.Mangalan came out
from fire god and hence fire is called as ‘mangala aarthi’ and ‘ mangala
joythi’. So fire will not go well with watery sign of kataka rassi during aadi
month. However Jupiter (guru) gets exalted in kataka rasi. Hence this month is
more suitable for worship connected to progeny and fertility bearing mostly by
women since Jupiter is the putra karagha.Chevvai is called as ‘சேய்” as he is connected closely to progeny and fertility. Since
mars due to its red color reminiscent of menstrual blood with moon denoting the
ovaries, this month is closely associated with women praying for progeny. They
worship banyan/peepal trees and serpents on Aadi velli, Aadi amavasya, Aadi
chevvai days. Chevvai consort is sakthi devi who is worshipped by women in the
form of goddess Amman in temples.Sri Andal took avatar in Aadi month on a
Tuesday in pooram star. Hence Aadipuram day is celebrated in great festive mood
to propitiate for mangalik dosha caused by chevvai. Auyilum is the birth star
of Adisesha, the serpent and his amsam lakshmanan.Naga
panchami falls on the 5th day
of sukla panchami in Aadi month.Naga panchami is also called as Garuda panchmi
when nagas in stone images around Banyan/peepal trees are worshipped by married
women to pray for fertility and wellbeing. Most of the famous Garuda sevai
festivals are taking place during Aadi
month in many vaishnavite temples. Mars being the bhumi karaghan, ploughing,
sowing, planting of seeds are done in Aadi month as this month gets abundance
of rain.Mars contribute to the rash of sudden rain and flood
besides in sudden stoppage of rain,floods.Water lines like rivers,ponds
and wells are overflowed with water on 18th day of Aadi peruku. Hence
Bala Krishna as a child appeared first on the leaf of peepal tree, a symbolic
of serpent adiseshan,floating in primeval water..Hence aadi month is important
for married women for praying to nagas and banyan trees for well beings of
family and for progeny as naga panchami falls in aadi month.
Guru poornima falls on the full moon
day of Aadi ( ashada) month when maharishi
sage Veda vyasar was believed to have taken avatar.Sri Veda Vyasar compiled
four Vedas and composed 18 puranas besides Mahabharata and Srimath bhagvatham
ect. This full moon day in Aadi month marks the beginning of Chaturmasya
sankalpam for the sages and Sanyasis to stay put In one place for studying and
practicing the scriptures. This period heralds the advent of rainy season with
showers of water for fresh lives and for vegetation. Chaturmasya virata is
connected to the boon obtained by king
Mahabali requesting Lord Vishnu to stay along with him for 1/3 of year in pattalaloha to where he
was pushed down on the 3rd step of Vamana.Since Jupiter (Guru) is
exalted in cancer sign of moon,karagha for mind, the wisdom and Spirituality in
mind has to be harnessed by Sages and sanyasis during this period. Chevvai
which is neecha in Aadi month ( in cancer sign) reduces its aggressive evil
nature and contribute to spiritual thoughts for people during this month..Hence
Sri andal the divine amsam of Bhumi devi
and Serpent adisesha respectively are
worshipped during aadi month as Sri andal took avatar in Kataka masam and
Adiseshan took avatar in the sign of kataka (cancer) in Auyilum star. Sages and
achariyars wearing red cloth holding trithandam in their hands as an authority
to establish dharmic and vedic principles have connotation to the influence of
Chevvai in many respects. Chaturmasya virata starts on the first day with
rituals to pray for Varaha murti and Sri bhumi devi by drawing the mud from ant-
hills by sages and achariyars for reasoning their purpose of stay.Thus Chevvai the karagha of serpents, sages,
banyan trees, bhumi, anthills, peepal leaf,earth digger,plough, progeny are
closely connected with the month of Aadi.
Kundalini and
chevvai -
Kundalini
is the creative power of divine energy
visualized and pictured as a
Serpent coiled 3.5 times in dormant form at the bottom of spine for all human bodies at root chakra which is
connected through channels to total
seven chakras up to the top of head
crown. Yogis by means of strict practices of yoga and meditation, unfold
the kundalini energy which if aroused
will move through our body piercing and opening up chakras one by one in its
undulating serpent form from the root of spine giving out various spiritual experiences.
This divine energy moves through three nadis present in our subtle body up to
the head crown where over thousands of nerves are connected to the 7th chakra in our head crown in the fashion of an inverted lotus of 1000
petals known as“ sahasaradala padma
chakra“. Hence awakening of kundalini yoga have to be done under the proper
guidance of an experienced guru otherwise it will endanger the life of yoga
practioners without any gurus guidance.
Saivites
consider kundalini is the divine feminine energy of goddess Sakthi and if
awakened, it will reunion with its male form of Shiva present in the 7th
chakra of our head crown. But
Vaishnavites consider that this is the replica to the symbolic wisdom and the divine energy of serpent adiseshan present
in our body coiled at root base of spine as kundalini pictured as a serpent holding
its 1000 heads as “Sahasaradala padma chakra“ on top of our head crown as an
umbrella for the supreme lord Vishnu who dwells below in our tiny hearts as ‘antharyami’. we
neither realize Kundalini nor the supreme lord present in our heart. Hence both
continue to be in dormant form since we do not experience spirituality in our
mind by different means. kundalini is the human connection between our mind
through body with paramathma. To Testimony above, Lord Vishnu as a child rest in
a heart shaped peepal leaf, the symbolic of serpent adiseshan like in kundalini.Mars
denotes brain, its nerves and functioning of brain, serpents, energy,
spirituality, unfolding of
kundalini sakthi and yogis.Sages
and saints wearing red cloth is the symbolic mark due to chevvai influences of ‘red color” with spirituality.Mars
is the giver of power for creative energy,creative mind and also creative
thoughts.Hence poets and saints will have mars in good position in their
horoscopes.Sri andal has mars in Tula lagna
and took avatar in Aadi,the month
of mars
POLE STAR
AND BANYAN TREE -
The
pole star of north is in the ‘immovable’
center of the rotating heavens and called in sanskrit as ‘Dhruva’ symbolically
pointing towards the child Dhruva
who never moved away from his deep penance on Sri vishnu.This little visible
star in the sky aligned with earth axis of rotation is called as‘ pole star” or
polaris or “North star”due to its fixed and stationary status. In tamil it is
called as ‘ vata-miin” indicating as ‘ north star’ as well as “rope star’ since the word ‘Vatam’ points to
‘rope’ as well as ‘banyan tree “.Therefore
it is also called as ‘banyan star’.A hymn of the rig veda ( 1,24,7 )
speaks of the roots of cosmic banyan tree being held up in the sky by god
varuna.In the vedic wedding ceremony, bride is made to say groom that she would
be firm or fixed in the house of her husband like dhruva as a model in addition
to sighting of arundhati star in the
sky.
Pole
stars lie approximately directly overhead when viewed from the earths north or
south pole.They are dependable indicator of the direction towards the
respective geographical pole.There is no south pole star as useful as north
pole star. Only North star apparently appears to be fixed in the center closer
to the north pole while all stars in the sky apparent positions appear to be
changing throughout the night to rotate
around this celestial pole.North star lies in the constellation of
ursa-minor.Due to its fixed position overhead in earth axis of rotation, only ‘North pole‘ or ‘Dhruva star’ is considered
seriously for creditable determination of latitude for navigation (ships and
aeroplanes need latitude details) by using its angle of elevation. Srimad
bhagvatham speaks of ‘’Simsumara Chakra’ that connects to dhruva star in the center holding all the celestial
world around which all other stars
rotate in its axis.Little child dhruva
was given boon by lord vishnu that he would be a fixed star in the center of
sky while all other
stars would revolve around him.
Sarvam sri krishnarpanam
!!OM NAMO NARAYANAYA!!
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