It is always a hunt for the Vilvam leaves during the Shiva Rahtri and Marghazli Poojai. My husband visits each temple in the quest, for Vilvam leaves during this time frame...
In the mean time, I inquire for the Vilvam plant in all the the nurseries that I visit.....I was so involved in the search of the Vilvam plant to the extend of, even my colleagues were sourcing out with their contacts... and finally 3 months ago, one of my colleague, got me not 1 but 2 plants which his mother n law bought from her contact....
What was interesting was, that during this search, I was explaining what was Vilvam, the significance of the leave to Lord Siva, so much so that, my colleagues are also now looking for Vilvam to plant and use the leaves for the prayers..
I visit these plants that I have planted, daily after work and pray that they'll survive. And now, finally both the trees are growing, 1 tree is growing much healthier than the other one. I pray both the trees will grow well. In fact I've used 3 leaves for the New Year prayer, on the 13th April ... I was so over joyed, that I could finally be able to shower Vilvam leaves to my precious Sri Lingam...
I know, for next year's Shiva Rahtri, there'll be plenty of Vilvam leaves and I am planning to distribute some to my colleagues...
I have read somewhere that this tree should not be planted in the house premises.....but I guess, it is up to the individual...
Below are some information, I have gathered from the web,
Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia
Bel is an important non-wood forest produce of Chhattisgarh. The forests of all parts particularly the dense forests of southern part of Chhattisgarh are rich in natural population of Bel. As non-wood forest produce, all parts of Bel is collected and supplied to the traders at national and international drug markets. There is a fairly high demand of Bel fruits. Bel is an essential herb in home gardens. It is not under cultivation at commercial level as horticultural crop. Dhamtari, a city situated 70. kms. far from Raipur, is famous market for naturally collected Bel herb. During season, several truckloads of different parts of Bel herb are supplied to traders at Kolkata city every week. The traders at national and international drug markets are well aware of natural occurrence of Bel in Chhattisgarh. For the traditional healers and natives of Chhattisgarh, Bel is a valuable herb. They use the Bel in different worship ceremonies as offering. The natives prefer to plant atleast one Bel tree in their homes because it is common belief among them that the presence of this tree in home gardens make them prosperous and healthy for ever. In order to root out the bad effects of other herbs in home gardens, the natives also plant this tree. In ancient Indian literatures it is mentioned that one should offer the Bel leaves to the Lord Sun (Surya Devta) to make him happy. It is also mentioned that the Lord Sun likes the flowers of Kaner (Nerium sp.) but one Bel leaf is having more potential as compared to thousand Kaner flower. The natives are aware of this information. The natives having financial problem, perform special worship. In this special worship, the Bel leaves are offered to the fire, with uttering of mantras.
Common names of Bel
- Bengali, Hindi, Marathi, Assamese Bael
- Gujarati Bili, Bel
- Kanarese Bilva, Belpatra, Malura
- Sanskrit, Bilva
- Malayalam, Maaredy
- Oriya, Belo
- Tamil, Vilvam
- English, Wood apple
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
Bel is a storehouse of nutrition. A fully ripened bel contains 60 per cent moisture, 0.7 per cent protein, 0.7 per cent fat, 16.2 per cent carbohydrate and 9-20 per cent tannin. It has vitamin C and a small amount of vitamin b-complex, calcium, phosphorous and iron.
Old medical texts mention not only the uses of the fruit but also describe medicines prepared from its roots, tender leaves and flowers. In Ayurveda bel is termed tridosh har- remedy for three disturbances- bile, wind, phlegm.
The raw and ripe fruit have different properties. The former is bitter and pungent, its attributes are light and its potency hot. On the other hand, the mature fruit is sweet, heavy in its attribute and its potency is soothing.
The raw fruit is recommended for persons suffering from gout or arthritis since it generates heat in the body.
The ripe fruit on the other hand is cooling and a sharbat made from its pulp has a cooling effect.
The half-ripe fruit is effective in diarrhoea and dysentery. On the other hand, the effect of the mature or ripe fruit on the digestive system is absolutely different.
Bel is a traditional summer tonic - a soother for disturbed tummies and a cooling pick-me-up that improves sluggish appetite. The ripe fruit is cooling and sharbat made from its pulp wards off heat stroke and other fiery afflictions.
The fruit is high in tannin, an astringent which was commonly added to the water used to wash burns and abrasions.
Bel leaves too being rich in tannin, prove effective in ulcers. The leaves are soaked overnight in water and this water is taken in the morning. It helps to form a coating on the stomach's internal lining and helps in healing ulcers.
Diluted bel pulp with turmeric, sandalwood powder and mustard powder mixed into a paste acts as cleanser and skin toner. This paste is also good for sluggish skin. Apply the paste on the body and leave it for half an hour before a bath. This will help open the pores.
Bel is an effective remedy for spastic colon and chronic constipation. It is used as a laxative. The micro-nutrients of this fruit correct digestive disturbances. About 70 gms of pulp should usually be taken for this purpose. The juice of its leaves when taken with black pepper relieves constipation.
Bel leaves have an extraordinary high chlorophyll content. Like neem, bel is a deep breather: it inhales lots of atmospheric gases like monoxide and exhales a lot of pure oxygen.
This is all from me for now....Anbe Sivam
3 comments:
Dear Sankri
It is so interesting to note the deep love for Vilva leaves in the life of Kshudiram and Chandramani, the noble parents of Sri Ramakrishna. Once Kshudiram went on pilgrimages to Kasi and Rameswaram by foot. From Rameswaram, he bought a Sivalinga and worshipped it daily with vilva leaves.
You know that during the months of winter in India vilva trees shed their leaves, making the worship of Siva difficult. Kshudiram once went to Medinipur on foot on some family work. He got up early in the morning and walked for five hours towards Medinipur when he saw that vilva leaves appearing on the vilva trees on the way. He was so delighted that he gathered vilva leaves in a basket and walked back all the way to Kamarpukur. He reached home at about three in the afternoon, bathed, worshipped the Sivalinga with the vilva leaves and then only took his meal. He went to Medinipur the next day only.
Chandramani Devi was amazed to learn that Kshudiram had come back all that distance solely on account of his eagerness to worship Siva with the vilva leaves. Such was the devotion of Kshudiram to Siva that Mahadeva Himself chose to be born as his son by entering Chandramani's body in the Jogi Temple of Shiva!
Thank you very much for the beautiful narrative of Sri Ramakrishna’s parents. I am blessed indeed and bless the souls that have given me the plant.
Thank you for sharing. I recently started eating the Vilvam leaf as instructed by one of my Guru friend. The leaves were blessed by Lord Shiva thru my friend, who I addressed as Guru Muthu. I would like to know which nursery sells Vilvam plant as I would also like to plant it in a pot. I live in Malaysia. Sadhu for your help.
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