Kalpavriksha[note 1] (Sanskrit:कल्पवृक्ष,lit. 'Aeon tree', Kalpavṛkṣa) is awish-fulfillingdivine tree in religions likeHinduism,Jainism, andBuddhism. In Buddhism, another term,ratnavṛkṣa (jeweled tree), is also common. Its earliest descriptions are mentioned inSanskrit literature. It is also a popular theme inJain cosmology andBuddhism.
The Kalpavriksha originated during theSamudra Manthana or the "churning of theocean" along withKamadhenu, the divine cow, providing for all needs. The king of the gods,Indra, returned with this tree to his paradise. Kalpavriksha is also identified with many trees such as parijata (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis),Ficus benghalensis,Acacia,Madhuca longifolia,Prosopis cineraria,Diploknema butyracea, andmulberry tree (Morus nigra tree). The tree is also extolled in iconography and literature.
Kalpavriksha is common to the HinduBhagavatas, the Jains, and theBuddhists.[1]
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Kalpavriksha, the tree of life, also meaning "World Tree", finds mention in theVedic scriptures. In the earliest account of theSamudra Manthana, or the "churning of the ocean of milk". Kalpavriksha emerged from the primal waters during the ocean churning process along with Kamadhenu, the divine cow that bestows all needs. The tree is also said to be theMilky Way or the birthplace of the starsSirius. The king of thedevas, Indra, returned with this Kalpavriksha to his abode in paradise and planted it there. The tree also finds mention in the Sanskrit text Mānāsara, part ofShilpa Shastras.[2][3]
Another story says that Kalpavriksha was located on earth and was transported to Indra's abode after people started misusing it by wishing evil things.[4] In Indra's "Devaloka" it is said that there are five Kalpavrikshas, which are called Mandana,Parijata, Santana, Kalpavriksha, and Harichandana, all of which fulfill various wishes.[4] Kalpavriksha, in particular, is said to be planted atMt. Meru peak in the middle of Indra's five paradise gardens. It is on account of these wish-granting trees that theasuras waged a perpetual war with the devas as the heavenly gods who exclusively benefited freely from the "divine flowers and fruits" from the Kalpavriksha, whereas the asuras lived comparatively in penury at the lower part of its "trunk and roots". The Parijata is often identified with its terrestrial counterpart, theIndian coral tree (Eyrthrina indica), but is most often depicted like amagnolia orfrangipani (Sanskrit:champaka) tree. It is described as having roots made of gold, a silvermidriff,lapis lazuli boughs,coral leaves,pearl flower,gemstone buds, anddiamond fruit.[3] It is also said that Ashokasundari was created from a Kalpavriksha tree to provide relief to Parvati from her loneliness.[5]
In some versions ofHindu mythology, Shiva and Parvati, after many painful discussions while parting with their daughterAranyani, gave her away to the divine Kalpavriksha for safekeeping when the demonAndhakasura waged war. Parvati requested Kalpavriksha to bring up her daughter with "safety, wisdom, health and happiness," and to make her Vana Devi, the protector of forests.[6]
In Jain Cosmology Kalpavrikshas are wish-granting trees which fulfill the desires of people in the initial stages of a world cycle. In initial times children are born in pairs (boy and girl) and don't do anykarma.[7] There are 10 Kalpavrikshas which grant 10 distinct wishes such as an abode to reside, garments, utensils, nourishment including fruits and sweets, pleasant music, ornaments, fragrant flowers, shining lamps and a radiant light at night.[7]
According to Jain cosmology, in the threeAras (unequal periods) of the descending arc (Avasarpini), Kalpavrikshas provided all that was needed, but towards the end of the thirdara, the yield from them diminished. Eight types of these trees are described in some texts, each of which provided different objects. Thus from the "Madyanga tree" delicious and nutritious drinks could be obtained; from the "Bhojananga", delicious food; from "yotiranga", light more radiant than the sun and the moon; while from "Dopanga" came indoor light. Other trees provided homes, musical devices, table ware, fine garments, wreaths and scents.[4]
TheTiloya Panatti give the following list:Pananga,Turiyanga,Bhusananga,Vatthanga,Bhoyanga,Alayanga,Diviyanga,Bhayananga,Malanga,Tejanga with excellent drinks, music, ornaments, garments, edibles and ready-made dishes, mansions to live in, lamps, utensils and garlands of flowers respectively while the last type, namelyTejanga, seems to be self-luminous, serving the purpose of heavenly luminaries.[8]
In Buddhism a small wish granting tree is depicted decorating the upper part of the "long-life vase" held by "longevity deities" likeAmitayus andUshnishavijaya. The goddessShramana devi holds jeweled branch of Kalpavriksha in her left hand.[3]
Worship of theNyagrodha tree as a form of non-human worship is depicted in a Buddhist sculpture atBesnagar.[9] This sculpture in Besnagar, also known as Vidisa (Bhilsa), is dated to third century BC and is exhibited in theCalcutta Museum.[10]
InMyanmar, whereTheravada Buddhism is practiced, the significance of the Kalpavriksha is in the form of an annual ritual known asKathina (presenting a robe) in which thelaity present gifts to the monks in the form of money trees.[11] At the kingdom ofKetumati's front gates, it is thought four Kalpavrikshas will spring up from the Earth and provide enough valuables to satisfy all ofJambudvīpa for years.[12]
In different states of India some trees are specifically referred to as the Kalpavriksha. These are stated below.
Mahura tree (Madhuca longifolia) in Maharashtra, India holds an important place in the day-to-day life of the tribal people. It is like the Kalpavriksha wish tree called madhu (Madhuca indica).[13]
The banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis), also calledNyagrodha tree, which grows throughout the country is referred to as Kalpavriksha or Kalpataru because of its ability to amply provide for human needs.[14][9]
The coconut tree (Cocos nucifera) found in most regions of the country is called "Kalpavriksha", as every part of it is useful in one way or the other. The coconut water inside the nut is a delicious drink. In dried form it is calledcopra and is used to manufacture oil. The coconut husk, called coir, is used to make rope. Leaves are used to make huts, fans, mats.Palm sugar is made from budding flower. The dried midrib is used to make boats.[15]
Ashwatha tree (sacred fig tree) is also known as Kalapvriksha where the deities and Brahma are stated to reside, and it is where sage Narada taught therishis on the procedure for worshipping the tree and its usefulness.[16]
Shami tree (Prosopis cineraria), found in desert areas of the country, called in local dialect asAjmer orjaant is called Kalpavriksha. InRajasthan desert area its roots go deep to a depth of 17–25 metres (56–82 ft). This checks the erosion of the sandy soil of the desert. For this reason the tree stays green even during drought conditions. People of Rajasthan hence regard this tree as Kalpavriksha, because in times of drought when no grass or fodder can be found the animals are sustained by eating its green leaves.[17]
Chyur tree grows in the high altitudes of theHimalayas at an altitude between 500 and 1000 m. Known as the Indian butter tree (Diploknema butyracea), it is called a Kalpavriskha, or tree of paradise by the people of the mountainous region as it yieldshoney,jaggery, andghee. Its canopy grows in the shape of an umbrella.[18]
InJoshimath inUttarakhand amulberry tree, which is said to be 2400 years old, is renowned and revered as the Kalpavriksha as it was the location where, in the 8th century,Adi Sankaracharya did penance under the tree as he considered it an incarnation of LordShiva.[19] It is also believed that sageDurvasa meditated under this tree,[5] in Urgam.[20] The mountain slopes ofKailasa are stated to have a profusion of Kalpavrikshas.[20]
At Mangaliyawas nearAjmer, Rajasthan, there are two revered trees (Male and Female) which are more than 800 years old, known as Kalpavrikshas. They are worshipped on anAmavasya day in the Hindu month ofShraavana.[5]
InRanchi,Jharkhand, there are three Kalpavrikshas. They are at a locality called Hinoo.
In Tamil Nadu's culture,tala (Borassus flabellifer) a variety of Palmyra palm (Borassus), also known as toddy, is referred to as Kalpataru as all its parts have a use. This tree is also native toAsia andSouth East Asia, has normally a life span of 100 years, grows up to 20 metres (66 ft) height; its leaves in the shape of a fan are rough texture. The leaves were used for writing in the ancient times.[21]
In theHarivansh Puraan, the Parijata, baobab tree, is called a Kalpavriksha, or wish bearing tree, which apart from the village ofKintoor, nearBarabanki,Uttar Pradesh, is believed to be only found in heaven. The tree has mythological link with princeArjuna of thePandava clan who is said to have brought it from heaven. His motherKunti after whom the village Kintoor is named used to offer flowers from this tree to worship Lord Shiva. It is also said that LordKrishna brought this tree from heaven to please his wifeSatyabhama.[22]
Kalpalatha is another wish fulfilling tree, a creeper, which was extolled during the later part of the Aryan period. It is said that a person standing below this tree would be blessed with beautiful ornaments, dresses and even unmarried girls.[23]
InThailand, pink shower tree (Cassia bakeriana) is also called the Kalpavriksha or Kanlapaphruek in local dialect. It is believed to be the tree of success.[24]
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Iniconography, Kalpavriksha, the wish-fulfilling tree, is painted within a picture of a landscape, decorated with flowers, silks, and suspended with jewellery.[3] It is a pattern which has a prominent symbolic meaning.[1] Ornamental Kalpavriksha design was a feature that was adopted on the reverse of the coins and sculptures in theGupta period.[25]
Kalpavriksha is also dated to theDharmachakra period of Buddhism. The paintings of this period depicting the tree with various branches and leaves have a female figure painted on its top part. The female figure is painted from mast upwards holding a bowl in her hand. Similar depiction of female figure with tree representing it as presiding deity was a notable feature during theSunga period as seen in the image of "Salabhanvka" in the railing pillars.[26]
In most paintings of Kalpavriksha Shiva and Parvati are a common feature. It forms a canopy over Shiva. In one painting Paravati is paying obeisance to Lord Shiva with her hands held up in adoration when she is blessed with a stream of water from the Kalpavriksha.[27]
A Kalpavriksha is mentioned in the Sanskrit workMānāsara as a royal insignia. InHemādri's workCaturvargacīntama, the Kalpavriksha is said to be a tree of gold and gem stones.[28]
In poetry Kalpavriksha is compared toLakshmi as its sister emerging from the sea. It is born to the Naga King Kumuda, the fifth descendant ofTakshaka, along with his sister Kumudavati. It emerged from below the bed of theSarayu river challenging Kusa considered an incarnation ofVishnu just in the disguise as a son.[29]
Kalidasa, in his poetryMeghadūta epitomizing wish-fulfilling trees found in the capital of the Yaksha king extols the virtues of Kalpavriksha as "the dainties and fineries for the fair women of Alaka, coloured clothes for the body, intoxicating drinks for exciting glances of the eyes, and flowers for decorating the hair and ornaments of various designs".[30]
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