There is a very special place for the Peepal tree (Ficus religiosa) in day to day life of Hindus and Indians , like Kusha grass. This tree is known in the world over by various other names like -Bodhi Tree, Sacred Fig Tree, Budi, and Pepul Tree.
In India, you will find this tree in and around Hindu households or in every village and near temples. In India, the medal for the highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna, is modelled on the leaf of a Peepal tree. Two states of India- Odisha and Haryana- have declared the Peepul tree as the state tree. This is the tree under which Gautama Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment.
Bhagwat Gita & Peepul Tree
Lord Krishna describes (Bhagavad Gita in Chapter 10 (Vibhuti Yoga), Verse 26) his divine manifestations and declares that among trees, he is the Ashvattha tree (the Sacred Fig tree, Ficus religiosa, or Peepal tree).
Here is the Sanskrit verse:
अश्वत्थः सर्ववृक्षाणां देवर्षीणां च नारदः।
गन्धर्वाणां चित्ररथः सिद्धानां कपिलो मुनिः॥
(Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 10, Verse 26)
Translation:
“Among trees, I am the Ashvattha (Sacred Fig or Peepal tree), and among the divine sages, I am Narada. Among the Gandharvas, I am Chitraratha, and among the Siddhas, I am the sage Kapila.”
But much before that , Rig Veda mention this tree as Ashvattha
The oldest Hindu text that mentions the Peepul tree (Ficus religiosa), known as Ashvattha . In the Rigveda, the Peepul tree is mentioned in Mandala 10, Hymn 97, Verse 5. The Sanskrit verse is as follows:
संज्ञानमश्वत्थः सलिलस्य पीपिः।
सहस्रं धारा अभि वन्ति भूम्ना॥
(Rigveda 10.97.5)
Meaning : “The Ashvattha tree (Peepul tree) is the abode of consciousness. A thousand streams of water flow towards it with abundance.”
What Does Science Say About Peepal?
The botanical name of “Peepal ” is Ficus Religiosa. Its height can be up to 30 metres (98 ft) tall and with a trunk diameter of up to 3 metres (9.8 ft). The leaves are 10–17 centimetres (3.9–6.7 in) long and 8–12 centimetres (3.1–4.7 in) broad, with a 6–10 centimetres (2.4–3.9 in) petiole.
Five Scientific Reasons Hindus Worship Peepul Tree
(I) Long Life of Peepul Tree
Fig Religiosa or Peepal tree has a very long life ranging between 900 and 1,500 years. The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree in the city of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. is estimated to be more than 2,250 years old. It also means that when villages in India have this tree, they can get to sit, talk, sleep and do meetings under the tree for life! It also means politically to show your friendship to another country for thousands of years (see image below)
Hindu sages were in knowledge of its strength and long life. So, planning near the house or in villages will serve for years to peal living there.
(ii) Peepul Absorbs Carbon Dioxide in Night!
Hindus commonly believe that the sacred peepul tree releases oxygen at night. Therefore sleeping under a peepul tree is good. They (Hindus) think this tree cleans the environment as it absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen at night, which is a unique property.
However, modern science thinks differently and validates the fact that the Peepul tree absorbs carbon -dioxide at night. This is different from most of the other trees which release oxygen during the day when photosynthesis takes place, but at night, they release carbon dioxide.
Secrets of Absorbing Carbon Dioxide
Some plants use a unique method of photosynthesis , known as Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM). CAM plants can survive draught and cleans environment ..
What is Crassulacean Acid Metabolism?
Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) is a a kind of photosynthesis that exploits a temporal CO2 pump with nocturnal CO2 uptake and concentration to reduce photorespiration, improve water-use efficiency (WUE), and optimize the adaptability of plants to climates with seasonal or intermittent water limitations
Modern science found that Fig Religiosa (Peepal) (others are Snake Plant and Aloevera plant ) would either release or not release CO2 in the night depending on if they are epiphytic or not. For other CAM plants, it would depend on whether they have adequate water or not, or other environmental factors.
Study: Peepul Tree Can Charge Mobile Battery
Recently one more hypothesis has predicted that leaves of F. Religiosa can charge the battery of mobile. With scientific approaches in future, this hypothesis can reduce the usage of chargers and can be a good source of renewable energy.
Medicinal Properties of Peepul Tree
Another reason why the Peepal tree is venerated is its medicinal properties. In Ayurveda, the traditional system of medicine in India, the Peepal tree has been used for its healing properties for centuries. Various parts of the tree, such as the bark, leaves, and fruit, are believed to have medicinal properties and are used to treat a range of ailments, from digestive issues to respiratory problems.
A study found that Figa Riligiosa (Peepul) leaf has antioxidant, wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties. Read further.
Use of Peepal in Ayurvedic Medicinal System
The Ayurvedic medicinal system is integral to Hindu life . For thousand years , this medicinal system worked for Hindus . According to the science of Ayurveda, every part of the peepal tree – the leaf, bark, shoot, seeds and its fruit has several medicinal benefits, and it has been used since ancient times to cure many diseases:
(I) For blood purification
Take one to two gm of Peepal seeds powder and take it with honey twice a day and it will purify the blood. In gastric-related blood disorders take 40 ml kwath and five gms of honey for best results.
(ii) For Asthma Treatment
Ayurveda suggest that if the powder of the bark of Peepul plant and its ripe fruits are mixed in equal quantities and taken thrice a day, it will help asthematic patient a lot . Another use of the fruit of Peepul for asthematic people is : make a powder of dry fruits of peepal and take it with two to three grams of water for 14 days twice a day and this will prove very effective.
(iv) For tooth disease
Take barks of both peepal and banian trees in equal quantity mix them well and boil the mixture in hot water. Use it for rinsing in the mouth and it will cure teeth pain.
(v) For eye pain
Milk from the leaves of the plant and apply to the eye relieves the eye pains
(vi) For Hiccups
Aurveda remedy for hiccups is take 50-100 gms bark of peepal and make this charcoal and extinguish it in water. The intake of this water is very useful for patients with Hiccups.
(vii For Swelling in Spline
The spleen can become swollen after an infection or injury or as a result of a health condition, such as cirrhosis, leukaemia or rheumatoid arthritis. An enlarged spleen does not always cause symptoms. Ayurveda uses Peepul tree bark to cure swelling of spleen.
Take 10-20 gms of peepal bark and burn it out add an equal quantity of Kalmi Shora pour it in a ripe banana and eat one such banana each day and it will cure swelling of spline swelling.
Conclusion on Reasons Hindu Worship Peepul
The greatest gift , in my view , Hindu Sages have given to the world is applying people’s faith in protecting ,preserving and growing plants which are of medicinal values ,by tagging it to religious ceremonies . So, because Hindu worship Shiva, they created a special occasion “Shivratri ” – a specific “pooja of Lord Shiva” and tagged it with Peepul Tree .This way ordinary people who worship Lord Shiva will plant and grow people tree in and around their home or temples or in villages , so that they can perform pooja of Lord Shiva .
When Peepul Tree will be their , Ayurvedic doctors can use it for the benefit of people . The great Hindu Sages from Rig Vedic time were knowing the environment friendly properties of Figa Relioiousa or peepul , its medicinal use , that’s why they made a part of Hindu faith with religions practice .