Studies in Jaina Art

Author(s): Umakant P Shah
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 78

3. CAITYA-VRKSAS
Existence of tree-worship in the Indus Valley Civilization is evidenced by representations on several seals and sealings. One of them shows a triśülahorned deity with long hair, standing nude between two branches of a tree and a kneeling figure of a worshipper also with long hair armlets and horns, behind whom is a composite animal. The leaves of the tree appear like those of the Pippala. One of the seals from Chanhu Daro also depicts the Pippal Tree. " "Some sealings from Harappå show trees enclosed by a wall or railing. It cannot at present be stated definitely whether tree worship pertained to trees in their natural state or to their indwelling spirits. "'*
Trees have been highly prized in India, at all times. They were useful in sacrifices for making the Yupa (post for tying the sacrificial animal) for idhma (samidha offered in fire) and for sacrificial instruments like sruva, juhu etc. The Taittiriya Brāhmaṇa (I. 1.3) speaks of seven holy trees. The Taittiriya Samhita (III 4.8.4) states that idhma should be of nyagrodha, udumbara, asvattha and plakṣa trees as they are the abodes of Gandharvas, Apsarasas etc. The Baudhayana (II. 3.25) holds the palasa tree so sacred that it prohibits its use for making seats, sandals, tooth-brushes etc. Patañjali quotes an ancient verse to the effect that if a person waters and tends mangotrees, his forefathers are pleased.
The Rgveda describes that it is under a tree with beautiful foliage that Yama drinks with the Gods and ancestors. In the Rgvedic Apri Sūktas, Vanaspatis are invoked. A full sukta, occurring with a little change in both RV. and AV, is addressed to Vanaspati in order to get the upperhand of one's cowife. T There are not a few suktas in the AV. devoted to Osadhis or Vanaspatis. The Krishna Yajurveda Samhita prescribes an animal sacrifice to plants to remove obstacles in the attainment of offsprings. Osadhis are called
Vedic Age, p. 188 and pl. no. VII. 8 reproduced from Marshall, MohenjoDaro. Also see Marshall, op. cit., I. p. 312.
Mazumdar, N. G., Explorations of Sindh, Pl. XVII. no. 34.
Vedic Age, op. cit.
Mahabhaṣya, Vol. I, p. 14; also see Mahabharata, anusasana parva, 58. Rgveda, X. 131. 1.
6 Rgveda, I. 13. II; I, 142. II; I. 188. 10; II. 3. 10; III. 4. 10; V. 5. 10; VII. 2. 10; IX. 5. 10; X. 70. 10.
3
4
5
? RV. X. 145; AV. III. 18.
B V.M., 154; T.S., II. i. 5. 3.