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CHAPTER VII.
TREE AND SERPENT WORSHIP.
Certain trees are considered holy, and they are neither cut nor their wood used as fuel.
The Pipal is one of such trees. It is considered to be the incarnation of a Brahman, and to cut it is considered to be as great a sin as murdering a Bràhman. It is believed that the family of one who cuts it becomes extinct.1
Some people believe that the spirits of the deceased do not get water to drink in the next world. The water poured at the root of the Pipal on the 13th, 14th and 15th day of the dark half of Kartik and Shravan and on the 14th day of the bright half of Chaitra is believed to reach these spirits and quench their thirst.2
Although to cut the Pipal is supposed to be a great sin, it is believed that if a corpse is burnt with its wood, the soul of the deceased attains salvation.3
The Vad or banyan tree is believed to be a representation of the god Shiva. There is a proverb to the effect that one who cuts this tree is punished with the extirpation of his family.
According to another belief, the god Vishnu once slept on this tree.
The Tulsi or sweet basil is considered to represent Lakshmi, the wife of Vishnu. It is also related that Krishna wanted to kill the demon Jalandhar, but he could not be killed on account of the merit of the chastity of his wife Vrinda. Krishna, therefore, assumed the form of Jalandhar, violated the chastity of Vrinda, and was thus enabled to kill the demon. Krishna next expressed a desire
1 The School Master of Ganod.
3 Mr. K. D. Desài.
5 The Scbool Master of Moti Parabdi.
7 Mr. K. D. Desài.
to marry Vrinda, when she transformed herself into the Tulsi plant. It is considered an act of great religious merit to wed Krishna with the Tulsi, and this marriage is celebrated every year by all Hindus on the 11th day of the bright half of Kartik otherwise called Dev Divali.
It is considered a great sin to uproot this plant, though no sin attaches to the plucking of its leaves during the day time. The leaves of the Tulsi are considered holy and are offered to the image of the god Vishnu and are required in all religious ceremo
nies."
The Khijado or Shami tree is also held sacred. When the Pandavas lost their kingdom in gambling with the Kauravas, the latter promised the former that they would give them back their kingdom if they lived in the forest for twelve years and unknown for one year. After having completed their stay in the forest, the Pandavas remained unknown for one year in the city of Viràt. During this year. they concealed their weapons on a Khijado tree. Before taking these weapons, they worshipped the tree. Next took place the great battle of Kurukshetra in which the Pandavas won a splendid victory. This has given rise to the custom of worshipping the tree on the tenth day of the bright half of Ashvin or the Dasara day.8
It is a common belief that a tree haunted by ghosts should not be cut. So the Khijado is not cut, because it is the favourite residence of ghosts,"
2 The School Master of Todia. The School Master of Dhànk.
The School Master of Todia. Mr. K. D. Desài.
9 The School Master of Chhatràsa.
