Dr. T. Rama Prasad's Scribblings...: FICUS trees and GODS

KRISHNA and FICUS tree

The following is an excerpt from the scribbling titled " RAJYALAKSHMI RAMAPRASAD and PLANTS" on this blog.

https://drtramaprasad.blogspot.com/2017/04/trees-and-plants_29.html

RAJYALAKSHMI RAMAPRASAD and PLANTS

TREES and PLANTS -- the green gods

Mrs. V. S. Rajyalakshmi, M.Sc. (Botany), Former Asst Professor, Vellalar College for Women, Erode

Dr. T. Rama Prasad, Director, 'PAY WHAT YOU CAN' Clinic, Perundurai

Mrs. T. Nirmala Devi, M.Sc. (Botany), Former HOD & Professor, Maris Stella College, Vijayawada

FICUS trees and GODS

In the Hindu mythology, some trees belonging to the Ficus genus (Ficus religiosa - Peepal, Ficus benghalensis - Banyan, Ficus benghalensis var. krishnae - Krishna Fig, Krishna Butter Cup) of Moraceae family are considered sacred and worshipped. Various beliefs exist -- ancestors' souls stay on these trees; Vishnu stayed safe in these trees when demons defeated gods; Vishnu was born under a peepal tree; Peepal tree houses Trimurti, roots-Brahma, trunk-Vishnu, leaves-Shiva; Goddess Saraswathi originated from a peepal tree; Goddess Sita was sheltered by Peepal tree; Goddess Lakshmi stays on Peepal tree on Saturdays; and so on (Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, Skanda Purana, Rigveda Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, etc.).

Women performing Vata-puja rituals around a Banyan tree

'FICUS KRISHNA'

The Ficus religiosa tree (Peepal) is closely linked to Lord Krishna who was believed to have ended his avataar under this tree, after which the present Kaliyuga is said to have begun. It is also believed that he will reside in a Peepal leaf after Pralayam till the next world is created.

To my pleasant surprise, on April 19, 2019, I saw one very rarely seen variety of Ficus tree in the campus of 'THE UNIQUE ACADEMY' ICSE & ISC school in Ingur, Perundurai. This variety is called "Ficus benghalensis var. Krishnae." It is also known as 'Krishna Fig' and 'Krishna Butter cup'. The leaves of this variety of Ficus are very peculiarly shaped as though the edges of the leaf are folded back and fused to form cone-shaped or cup-shaped cavities -- see the photos below of the leaf and the tree.

Botanical name: Ficus benghalensis var. krishnae Family: Moraceae (Mulberry family)
Synonyms: Ficus krishnae

Krishna Fig is a very large, fast growing, evergreen tree up to 30 m tall, with spreading branches and many aerial roots. Leaves stalked, ovate heart-shaped, 3 nerved, when young velvety on both sides. The unique feature of the tree is that the leaves have a pocket-like fold at the base. Leaf stalks with a broad smooth greasy gland at the apex, compressed, downy. The plant is also known as Krishna Butter Cup. As with most things in India, there is a mythological story of Krishna related to the leaves of this tree. The story goes that Lord Krishna was very fond of butter and would even steal it. Once when he was caught by his mother, Yashoda, he tried to hide the butter by rolling it up in a leaf of this tree. Since then, the leaves of these trees have retained this shape.

Perhaps, that's why it was named as 'Krishna Butter Cup'.