वृक्षप्रतिष्ठा

{ vṛkṣapratiṣṭhā }

Puranic Encyclopaedia

VṚKṢAPRATIṢṬHĀ   The ancient Indians believed that consecration of Trees and gardens (parks) were means of remission of sins and attainment of heaven. As the consecration of trees is a divine ritual it has to be performed as ordained in the Vedas. The rites are given below: As the first item of the consecration ceremony of a tree, besmear it with all kinds of medicinal herbs, and adorn it with flour and flowergarlands and make it wear good clothes. Then make on it perforations for the ears with golden needle, and anoint ointment for eyes with golden wire. Place on the dais prepared at the foot of each tree, seven fruits and pots (Kalaśas) and make invocations. After this, offerings and sacrifices to Indra and the other gods should be given. Again invocation should be made with burnt offerings to Vanaspati. From the middle of the trees alms of cows should be given. Brahmins should bathe the trees with pots placed on the dais, reciting spells and incantations of anointment, and of Ṛg, Yajur and Sāma Vedas along with instrumental music. The owner of the trees should be given bathing water by himself. Then the owner should give cows, lands, ornaments and clothes as gift. After having done so much, food with milk should be given for four days and burnt offerings should be made with gingelly etc. and butea. The gift to the priest should be double the gifts given to others. [Agni Purāṇa Chapter 70] .