5/5 NIKHIL D. 5 years ago on Google
Kalpavriksha (Devanagari:
कल्पवृक्ष),
also
known
as kalpataru, karpaga
viruksham,kalpadruma or kalpapādapa,
is
a
wish-fulfilling
divine
tree
in Hindu
mythology.
It
is
mentioned
in Sanskrit literature
from
the
earliest
sources.
It
is
also
a
popular
theme
in Jain
cosmology and Buddhism.
Sage Durvasaand Adi
Shankaracharya,
meditated
under
the
Kalpavriksha.
The
birth
of Ashokasundari,
the
daughter
of Shiva and Parvati,
is
attributed
to
the
Kalpavriksha
tree.
Another
daughter Aranyani was
also
gifted
to
Kalpavriksha
for
safekeeping.
The
Kalpavriksha
originated
during
the Samudra
manthan or
"churning
of
the ocean
of
milk"
along
with
the Kamadhenu,
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 (Erythrina
variegata), Ficus
benghalensis, coconut
tree(Cocos
nucifera), Acacia, Madhuca
longifolia, Prosopis
cineraria, Bassia
butyracea,
and mulberry
tree (Morus
nigra tree).
The
tree
is
also
extolled
in
iconography
and
literature.
Kalpavriksha
is
an
artistic
and
literary
theme
common
to
the
Hindu Bhagavatas,
the
Jains
and
the Buddhists.
Kalpavriksha,
the
tree
of
life,
also
meaning
"World
Tree"
finds
mention
in
the Vedic
scriptures.
In
the
earliest
account
of
the Samudra
manthan or
"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
the Milky
way or
the
birthplace
of
the
stars Sirius.
The
king
of
the
gods,
Indra
returned
with
this
Kalpavriksha
to
his
abode,
the
paradise
and
planted
it
there.
Tree
also
finds
mention
in
the
Sanskrit
text
Mānāsara,
part
of Shilpa
Shastras.[2][3]Another
myth
says
that
Kalpavriksha
was
located
on
earth
and
was
transported
to
Indra's
abode
after
people
started
misusing
it
by
wishing
evil
and
wrong
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
at Mt.
Meru peak
in
the
middle
of
Indra's
five
paradise
gardens.
It
is
on
account
of
these
wish-granting
trees
that
the asuraswaged
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 demigods lived
comparatively
in
penury
at
the
lower
part
of
its
"trunk
and
roots".
The
Parijata
is
often
identified
with
its
terrestrial
counterpart,
the Indian
coral
tree (Eyrthrina
indica),
but
is
most
often
depicted
like
a magnolia or frangipani(Sanskrit: champaka)
tree.
It
is
described
as
having
roots
made
of
gold,
a
silver midriff, lapislazuli boughs, coral leaves, pearl flower, gemstone buds,
and diamond fruit.[3] It
is
also
said
that
Ashokasundari
was
created
from
a
Kalpavriksha
tree
to
provide
relief
to
Parvati
from
her
loneliness.[5]
In Hindu
mythology Shiva
and
Parvati
after
much
painful
discussions
while
parting
with
their
daughter
Aranyani
gave
her
away
to
the
divine
Kalpavriksha
for
safe
keeping
when
the
demon Andhakasura 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.