‘Vat Pournima assures spiritual transformation of women’
| Date :16-Jun-2019 |
By Rajendra Diwe:
Vat Pournima is a sacred day when married women worship Banyan tree and pray to Savitri and Brahma to have a happy, uninterrupted and joyous married life. This year, Vat Pournima or Jyeshtha Pournima falls on June 16 and 17. Some panchangs have suggested to perform Vat Pournima on June 16 while others appealed citizens to celebrate the same on June 17. Pournima Tithi begins on June 16 at 2 pm while it ends on June 17 at 2 pm. There is a confusion amongst women when to perform worship of Banyan tree on June 16 or June 17. Prajakta Joshi, Head of the Department of Jyotish, Maharshi Adhyatma University, Goa has informed, “ According to ancient scriptures, worship of Banyan tree should be performed on the combined Tithi of Chaturdashi and Pournima.
Chaturdashi Tithi ends at 2 pm on June 16 and Pournima starts from 2 pm. The Tithi of Pournima is more than six ghatis, therefore, in some panchangs worshipping of Banyan tree or observing Vat Pournima has been recommended on June 16.” “Though Chaturdashi Tithi is there till 2 pm on June 16, women should perform worship of Banyan tree right from sunrise to 1.30 pm and observe fast. Such situation was there in 1932, 1938 and 1939 and that time the decision was given as per scriptures,” she added.
Sanatan Sanstha has appealed women to worship whole banyan tree and do not worship a branch of the tree in home. Anjali Gadgil, a scholar stated, “There is a vast difference of performing puja of whole Banyan tree and worshipping a branch of it at home. In many cities, women are bringing small branch or bonsai of Banyan tree and perform pujan. If any woman wants to get spiritual benefits of Vat Pournima, she should perform pujan of entire tree. Whole Banyan tree is considered to have consciousness of Shiva’s principle. When a woman takes round of the entire tree, she gets vibrations of this consciousness. These vibrations help her to unite with the ultimate reality.
The branch of Banyan is detached from the tree. Therefore, it is like a body without consciousness.” There are some mythological facts about Banyan tree. According to them, “The Banyan tree survives even the Dissolution of the Universe. It lives on with time. During the Dissolution of the Universe, a child Mukunda slept on a Banyan leaf. In Prayag, Shriram, Lakshman and Sita rested under the everlasting Banyan tree. A Banyan tree is the resting place for Deity Brahma, Shrivishnu, Deity Mahesh, Deity Narasimha and Deity Madhav. The Banyan, Pipal (Bo tree), Audumbar and Shami (Indian Mesquite tree), are considered sacred and are used in sacrificial fires. Amongst these trees, the life of the Banyan is the longest. Besides, it spreads extensively by means of its aerial roots.”