Twigs as tooth-brushes.

 

Use of twigs as tooth brushes is an age old practice in our country. Brushing with the twig means both brushing and chewing. There is an old saying in Tamil glorifying the twigs of banyan tree and neem tree as giving strength to the teeth.

(ஆலும் வேலும்  பல்லுக்குறுதி , நாலும் இரண்டும்,  சொல்லுக்குறுதி ).

 

One will be surprised to know that the choice of twigs and brushing the teeth under certain conditions are parts of predictive astrology. Choice of twigs largely depends on the kind of wishes that one wants to experience.

 

Some twigs make one healthy and develop good and glowy appearance. One can understand how this can happen. There are some which makes one wealthy. I am not able to find convincing explanation for this.

 

The twig of the Kshema tree gets one a good wife while that of Madhuka gets one a male child. Of these two the latter one (twig of Madhuka tree) needs serious research. This must be analysed along with the practices connected with 'Pumsavana' ceremony that is done on the 3^rd month of pregnancy for changing the sex of the foetus to male.  I will write a separate post later about this ceremony as told in texts like Charaka samhitha. In my opinion it is not right to dismiss these as superstitions. Going around the peepal tree is an age old remedy for solving sterility problem. We have now evidence that the radiation around the peepal tree removes sterility problems in women. 

 

When someone like Varahamihira has documented them elaborately in Brihat samhita, based on the pre-existing practices endorsed by sages, there must be some rationale in them.

According to him, the one wanting to get his wish fulfilled must chew the relevant twig everyday for one year. He must face north or east while chewing the twig. He must think about the wish while chewing. After chewing he must wash it with water and throw it in a pure spot. The position of the twig thus thrown must be observed. If one end of it sticks to the ground and the other end faces him, it indicates positive results and prosperity. If it stands for some time and then falls, it means the person will get good meals. If it falls immediately and on other side, it shows negative results. The results vary from twig to –twig. While these predictions are disputable, the names of trees given by Varahamihira for brushing the teeth are worthy of analysis by scientists, dental researchers and tooth paste makers.

 

Twigs that are unsuitable for chewing:-

·        Twigs of unknown trees.

·        Twigs with leaves

·        Twigs with even number of joints

·        Twigs with split and dry ends

·        Twigs not attached to barks

 

 I am listing down the names of trees of the twigs along with the benefits mentioned by Varahamihira. 

Indian names of trees	Botanical name/ Local name	Benefits
Vikankata	Flacourtia Sapida	Gives Brahmanical splendour
Sriphala	Bilva tree / Aegle marmelos	Gives Brahmanical splendour, Makes wealthy
Kaashmari	Gmelina Arborea	Gives Brahmanical splendour
Kshema	-	Person will get good wife
Banyan	-	Gets wealth and grains
Arka	Calotropis gigantea	Gets splendorous appearance.
Madhuka	Bassia longifolia or latifolia	Birth of son
Kakubha	Terminalio arjuna	Increases joy
Sheerisa	Srissa tree / Acacia speciosa	Wealthy & prosperous
Karanja	Pongamia glabra	Wealthy & prosperous
Palaasa	Moduga / Butea frondosa	Brings money
Ashwatha	Peepal tree	Makes one renowned & kingly
Badari	Jujube tree / Zyzyphus jujuba	Healthy
Brhati	The egg plant.	Long life
Khadira	Acacia catechu	wealthy
Atimukta	Dalbergia Ougeinensis	Fulfils desire
Kadamba	Nauclea Kadamba	Fulfils desire
Nimba	Azadirachta Indica	Wealthy
Karaveera	Asafoetida	Gets good meals
Bhaandira	Rubia Manjistta	Gets good meals
Sami	Vanni in Tamil / Acacia suma	Destroys enemies
Arjuna	Maruda maram in Tamil / Terminalia Arjuna	Destroys enemies
Shyama	Ichnocarpus frutescens	Destroys enemies
Ashwakarna	Vatica robusta	Brings dignity
Bhadrataru	Trapa Bispinosa	Brings dignity
Chatarushaka	-	Brings dignity
Priyangu	-	Makes one dear to all people
Apamarga	Achyranthes Aspera	Makes one dear to all people
Jambu	Jamoon / naaval maram in Tamil / Syzygium	Makes one dear to all people
Daadima	Pomegranate	Makes one dear to all people

 

 

 

 

Related Research on energy let out by plants such as Thulsi and Peepal tree:-

Recently a programme was held, where these findings were explained by Dr.Gopalakrishnan (Indian Council of Science research), Dr. Sasikumar of ISRO Hyderabad and Anujan Bhattathiripad. The Instrument to measure the positive energy was first found by the Russians. The maps of the underground water lines were lost. They invented a device, two 'L' Shaped rods, which would deviate from each other if pointed towards an object that has positive energy. As flowing water has positive energy, it was easy for the Russians to find the water lines. So the government approved this as an authentic proof for measuring positive energy.

 

The effect of going to the Temple.

 In the temple, the Sanctum sanctorum is completely enclosed on three sides. The effect of all energies is very high in here. The lamp that is lit radiates the heat and light energy. The ringing of the bells and the chanting of prayers gives the sound energy. The fragrance from the flowers, the burning of camphor and incense sticks give out the chemical energy. The effect of all these energies is activated by the positive energy that comes out of the idol. The water that is used for the Pooja is called "holy water or Theertham" because it receives the positiveness of all these energies. When people go to the temple for the Deepaaraadhana, and the doors open up, the positive energy gushes out onto the people who are there. The water that is sprinkled onto the people passes on the energy to all. That is the reason why, men are not allowed to wear shirts to the temple and ladies have to wear more ornaments because it is through these jewels (metal) that positive energy is absorbed in ladies. It is proved that Theertham is a very good blood purifier, as it is highly energised. Hence it is given as prasadam to the devotees.

 

 Worship of Tulasi and Peepal Tree

Tulasi should be worshipped by prostrating before it. As it is not tall the oxygen passed out from the plant, along with its positive energy, can be obtained only at the lower level. Whereas the Peepal tree should be worshipped by going around it, to get the full effect of the oxygen and the positive energy. The oxygen layer is very close to the leaves of the tree and as these leaves shake at the slightest breeze, it passes the energy more effectively. While going round the tree, our negative energy passes out of us through our right side and is absorbed by the tree and transformed into positive energy. This is passed on to us when we go round the tree.

 

 Measuring the energy.

[This is measured with a pair of 'l' shaped rods held horizontally facing the object to be tested]

 a. All flowers that are used in the temple for Pooja are proved to have positive energy.

 b. Gingerly oil [Nallenna] is proved to have more positive energy than other medium. Hence, best for lighting the lamp.

 c. The fresh sandalwood paste given from the temple has more positive energy than the one, which is kept for a day or two.

 d. The use of the traditional wick lamps is very effective in passing out the energy, as there is a regular movement for the flame. The energy is passed out through the waves of movement. So the lighting of electric lamp does not serve the purpose of passing the energy.