SPRITUALITY
Coconut, an auspicious
fruit
The humble coconut has great significance in India. It
has religious and social connotations. No wonder, it’s one of the most common
offerings in a Hindu temple.
A fruit with many names
The coconut is known as narikela in Sanskrit. It is also
known as Shrifala, or “the auspicious fruit”. It is also known Mahafala, or
great fruit to be offered to god.
Origin of the coconut
We don’t find any reference to the coconut in Vedic
literature. The citations of coconut start appearing in the period of epics and
Puranas. The fruit was originally grown in Indonesia and brought to India
around the first century.
When is it used?
The coconut is used in various auspicious occasions. It’s
tied as a torana over the doors of homes during all auspicious functions. The
coconut is also a symbol of fertility. Hence, a lady who wishes to conceive a
child should plant a coconut tree or offer coconuts to gods or goddesses.
Why is a coconut offered
in prayer?
It is also used at occasions like weddings, festivals,
the use of a new vehicle, construction of a bridge, laying the foundation stone
of a house, etc. It’s as if the coconut guarantees that everything will go well
with any project.
How is it used?
The coconut is placed on top of a pot (kalasha) full of
water, adorned with mango leaves, and worshipped on important occasions,
besides being used to receive revered guests as well.
Coconut as Prasadam
The coconut is broken into two halves and placed before
an idol of God. It is later distributed as prasada. It is offered to please the
Lord and to fulfill our desires. In South India, the coconut tree is considered
as auspicious as a neem tree or bilva tree is in north India. People from South
India go to the extent of believing that the one who destroys a coconut tree,
will himself get destroyed.
Why is it offered to
god?
There is a custom of placing a coconut in front of the
idol of god during all auspicious occasions. But not many know that at its root
lies a violent practice. In ancient times, the custom was to make a human
sacrifice to god. When societies realised how barbaric the act was, the human
was replaced by a coconut.
But why was the coconut
chosen?
Another unpalatable truth awaits you: The coconut is
offered instead of the head of a human because the marks on the coconut make it
look like the head of a human! In later periods, the practice became widespread
and a regular part of Hindu temple worship.
Symbolic meaning
The coconut being broken, also symbolizes the breaking of
the ego – the biggest thing coming in the way of personal and spiritual
development.
Coconut tree in Hindu
mythology
According to Hindu mythology, the coconut fruit was
created by Sage Vishwamitra to prop up King Satyavrata, who was attempting to
gain entry into swargaloka (heaven) as a mortal but was thrown out by the Gods.
Satyavrata was a famous king of the solar dynasty. He was a pious ruler and
greatly religious. Satyavrata had only one desire. He wished ascend to
swargaloka with his mortal body intact!
The coconut has many
uses
Besides the inner fruit, every part of the outer coconut
is useful in a big way. The outer part is coir, used to make mats and fill
furniture. The inner fruit can be eaten raw or used in dishes. It is even used
to manufacture soaps, etc. When crushed, the fruit gives pure oil, which is not
only good for cooking, but can be used as a fragrant hair oil that lends black
hair and prevents premature greying.
Coconut water
What’s wonderful is that the coconut tree’s roots suck
the salty water - from the coastal soil where the tree grows - and convert it
into the sweetest water – known simply as coconut water – which not only
quenches one’s thirst, but has huge health benefits as well.
Coconut water’s benefits
Among the many health benefits of the coconut water are
relief in problems related to the urinary tract, intestines and kidneys.
Doctors also recommend patients afflicted with kidney stones to drink coconut
water, in addition to regular medications, as coconut water helps in dissolving
kidney stones and allows their easy passage out of the body.
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