(Geetesh Ujjainwal, Intern Journalist) The 15th chapter of the Gita opens with a reference to samsara as a peepal tree. But this tree is different from other trees. The peepal tree is called asvatta in Sanskrit. The word also means impermanent.
Sadhus find divine connections under it. Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment while meditating under it, Lord Vishnu is said to manifest himself in it and the tongues of bells in Buddha temple in Myanmar are shaped like its leaves.
Dating back to pre-historic times it is rightly been called the ‘tree of wisdom’. Interestingly, it’s the first tree whose seal was found at the Indus valley civilisation’s cities, Mohenjodaro. Known as a force of life and growth, women worship it to conceive.
Its roots represent Brahma, its bark Vishnu, its branches Shiv Mahadeva. Blessed with long lives, the peepal tree is revered across the world and it is advised to plant it in the east of a house or a temple.
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