The Divine Trees of Hindu Mythology: Kalpavriksh and Parijata

One of the most Historical events in Hindu mythology – The Samudra Mantan gave us some of the most divine ratna(s) (gems) on our earth so that humans can attain prosperity, abundance and at the end of their life cycle, moksha. These two divine trees are only a small example of the gifts the celestial ocean bestowed upon us from its deep cosmic depth.

One of the most important events in the history of Hindu religion is the Samudra Manthan – the churning of the cosmic ocean. This is an event which took place when Indra Deva was cursed by Sage Durvasa, taking away all strength, power and prosperity from the gods. With no power, the Asuras (demons) led by King Bali planned a coup and defeated the Devtas, gaining control of all three worlds– Heaven, the Earth and Hell. This posed a great problem as it created an imbalance in the yin and yan of the universe. 

The only way to break the curse and gain their power back was Amrita, the golden juice of immortality and power. However, the Amrita was not an easy nectar to find, hidden somewhere in the deep cosmic space of the universe, it had to be churned from the divine universe itself. 

But to churn they needed people as powerful as them on the opposite side too and like any other story or tale of balance the god needed the Asuras to help them churn. 

To gain the Amrita the Gods and the demons in avarice to churn the cosmic ocean. During the churning a lot of cosmic elements were returned to heaven, the number of items that emerged from the deep cosmic oceans varies from story to story but there are at least ten which are constant and out of those ten are the two most divine trees in Hindu mythology– Kalpavriksha and Parijata.

The Kalpavriksha is a fusion of two Sanskrit words Kalpa meaning ‘time’ or ‘eternity’ and Vriksha which means ‘tree’ giving it the name- tree of eternity, also known as the ‘wishing tree’ in Hindu Mythology. It is said that meditating and praying under the canopy of the tree will make everything you wished for come true. Kalpavriksha is seen as a sign of prosperity and abundance. It is said to manifest material and spiritual growth and bring happiness.

The concept of the Kalpavriksha extends beyond a single tree, encompassing a diverse array of trees that bestow essential resources for sustenance, healing, and daily life. Among these revered trees, the Banyan tree, Peepal tree, and Coconut tree are mentioned in the sacred Puranas. Notably, the Parijata tree, also known as Harasingara, holds a unique and esteemed position within these scriptures.

The Parijata tree is celebrated for its extraordinary attributes, drawing admiration for its exquisite, fragrant flowers and a rich reservoir of medicinal properties. One intriguing facet of this tree lies in its flowers—they possess an exceptional quality. Interestingly, the Parijata flower is the only one that can be picked from the ground and presented to the gods and not plucked.

Numerous tales revolve around the Parijata tree, and one such narrative is found in the Vishnu Purana. In this story, Satyabhama, the second wife of Lord Shree Krishna, expressed her desire to have the Parijata tree in her garden. Interestingly, this celestial tree was one of the five trees initially planted in Lord Indra's divine garden.

According to the Vishnu Purana, Lord Krishna contemplated taking the Parijata tree for himself. However, when Lord Indra became aware of Lord Krishna's intention, Lord Krishna gracefully apologised. In a magnanimous gesture, Lord Indra decided to gift the tree to Lord Krishna. This act was not solely for Lord Krishna's benefit but also the greater good of the people on Earth. It is believed that merely gazing upon the Parijata tree can aid individuals in attaining Moksha, liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Following this, Lord Krishna personally transplanted the Parijata tree in the gardens of Dwarka, specifically in Satyabhama's garden. However, in the Harivamsa Purana, a different narrative unfolds. Lord Shree Krishna and Lord Indra are locked in a fierce battle, each vying for possession of the Parijata tree. This intense conflict culminated with Lord Shree Krishna emerging victorious.

It is said that Aditi, the mother of Lord Indra, intervened to quell the dispute. She tells Indra that Lord Krishna is his elder brother so as the younger one he gifts the tree to Krishna to plant on earth.

Later, as mentioned in the Mahabharata, Kunti asks Arjuna for Parijata’s flowers to offer them to lord Shiva, In response to his mother's plea, Arjuna uprooted the tree from Dwarka and gifted it to his mother.

These multifaceted narratives surrounding the Parijata tree underscore its profound significance in Hindu mythology. The Kalpavriksha are not just mythical or a celestial tree. Still, a symbol of liberation of an individual from the cycle of birth and death symbolizes the idea that profound spiritual experiences or realisations can lead to moksha or liberation from the cycle of reincarnation.

In the Kali Yuga, the darkest Yuga, Kalpavriksh is an idea which manifests profound spiritual significance. In Hinduism, Kali Yuga is the last cosmic cycle which will be surrounded by the decline of righteousness, spiritual values and moral conduct. Humans will be more trapped in the worldly desires of the materialistic world.

The idea of Kalpavriksha is more than just a wishing tree but a metaphorical representation of the transformative influence that divine or spiritual experiences can exert on an individual's journey that leads to spiritual awakenings and insights that can potentially lead one towards moksha.

Not just in Hinduism, other religions follow the concept of a spiritual tree. One of the most famous trees that also counts as a Kalpavriksh is the Bodh Gaya tree under which Gutam Buddha attained Enlightenment. Kalpavriksh is also called the tree of life and is mentioned in Christian’s book of Genesis which symbolises eternal life (the eternal tree). Even in Jainism, Kalpavrikshas are special trees that grant wishes during the earlier stage of life. According to Jain cosmology, there are 10 Kalpavriksh, each fulfilling a specific wish like a home, clothing, food, music, ornaments, flowers, lamps and light at night.

Across these stories, we discover a unifying theme that connects us, a collective respect for the natural world and the spiritual enlightenment it kindles. Ultimately, they all echo a singular truth: in the realm of the spirit, we are united as one.