The Meaning Behind Festive Practices (Part 8)
Contributed By - Sri Devi Bulusu
In the recent column, we looked into how rituals can be classified into at least one of the following three categories: Vaidikam, Pouranikam and Loukikam – derived from Vedas, Puranas and socio-cultural practices respectively. We explored the practice of rangoli from scientific, socio-cultural, religious and spiritual perspectives. In the current edition, let us explore the significance of mango and neem in Hindu festive rituals.
Why do mango and neem have special significance?
The time tested practice of tying mango leaves at the venue is one of the foremost indications of festive celebrations. Mango leaves are symbolic of auspiciousness and are a must see in most happy occasions and venues like weddings, temples and pandals for festive celebrations etc. Sri Rama Navami, the day of wedding of Lord Sri Rama and Sita is celebrated annually and this year the festival is on April 5th. Sri Rama Navami is one of the most popular occasions when the pandals are decorated with garlands made of mango leaves.
Scientifically, due to the presence of chlorophyll in green leaves, they absorb carbon dioxide and generate oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. In comparison with most other leaves, mango leaves retain greenery for longer time when cut from the tree. Hence, mango leaves are preferred to other leaves for tying at the entrance. This social custom makes even more sense in reducing carbon dioxide levels and making available more oxygen when people assemble in large numbers. A part of the preference for mango leaves can also be attributed to their aesthetic appeal. The other festive usage of mango leaves includes - in kalash, the auspicious structure made as a seat for the invoked deities. As per Hindu scriptures, mango represents fertility. It is said that the bow of Kamadeva- Hindu god of human love is adorned with mango flowers.
When mango leaves are not available, other leaves can be used for festive decoration. Neem leaves can also be used at the entrance. Neem leaves not only produce good amount of oxygen but also have rich anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. As per Ayurveda, every part of the neem tree including the bark and seeds has rich medicinal value.
This year, Ugadi - the annual lunar New Year was celebrated on March 28th. Ugadi Pachhadi is the opening food eaten on the day of Ugadi. Neem flowers and mango pieces make essential ingredients of Ugadi Pachhadi. Here Neem in its bitter taste represents unhappiness and mango in its tangy taste represents the surprises life throws at us. The other major ingredients - jaggery in its sweetness represents happiness, chili’s hotness represents anger, salt for saltiness represents fear, and fresh tamarind in its sourness represents disgust. The pleasant tasting ingredients are no surprise. But, is it not interesting we include neem, mango, chili and tamarind too which represent not so pleasant circumstances in life? Ugadi Pachadi brings with it several health benefits of each of its ingredients. Not only this, the tastes sweet and bitter remind us the inevitable duality of life and that we need to live it up while experiencing and appreciating the collective interesting taste.
Sukha dukhe same kritva labha labhoujayajayou
Tathoyuddhayayujyasvanaivampapamavapsyasi
-Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2-Samkhya Yoga, Verse 38
Translation: Treating alike happiness and sorrow, gain and loss, victory and defeat, engage in the battle fighting for the sake of duty and you will never incur sin.
This state of equanimity is easier said than done. But, it is not impossible to accomplish and the pursuit of perfection is a journey in itself.
Happy Ugadi and Sri Rama Navami! May we conduct ourselves with equanimity in the New Year!!