Monday, April 13, 2015

Why do Hindus break Coconut in the Temple

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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