Wednesday, December 9, 2009

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 இரண்டும்சொல்லுக்குறுதி ).

 

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 3rd 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.