The Trees of Life

I was thinking about this some days ago, around noon, as I was driving down a hot and dusty Delhi road with not a tree in sight. Never do we miss trees more than during hot Indian summers as we reflect on their cool, selfless generosity. How unfortunate, also, that we overlook the way they balance the effects of nature for us.

People who earlier inhabited our great country had a great awareness of this miracle known as trees, one of the givers of life. They realised only too well that trees that sprang on their own as gifts from nature were not enough and that humans too, had to contribute to tree growing. What was taken from nature as part of mankind’s requirements was also returned to nature with great thanksgiving.

Many reasons were found to plant saplings and grow trees—a birth, a death, a celebration, an honour received, land acquisition or the building of a house. I came across this excerpt written by Ravi Varma’s brother in 1903 when he says, ‘‘This morning at 7.30, I planted a little to the south of the new Proverthy Cutcherry… near our ancient burning ground saplings of the Bunyan tree.. These are to mark the year in which my cousin Raja Raja Varma, the husband of the late Junior Rani of Travancore died and in which my elder brother Ravi Varma, the renowned artist became the head of the family, viz. 1903-1028 Malabar year.’’

Horoscopes made at the birth of a child could often reveal the malefic effect of a particular planet. Neem, Mango, Ashok and Bunyan trees were planted to lessen the negative effect of such planets. Many daily occurrences were made the reasons for tree planting but the aim was always the same: the constant rejuvenation of trees.

Our ancient sages and thinkers had worked out the absolute necessity for ecological balance. Mythology therefore weaves stories about the value of trees, imbuing them with great sanctity. The Puranas say that a person who plants fruit and flower bearing trees liberates ancestors. It enjoins childless couples to grow trees because trees are like children. Mango and guava trees offer fulfilment. These texts also provide a long list of trees which, if planted, ensure that the person goes straight to heaven.

Various gods are associated with different trees, which alter according to the season. In early summer, Shiva is linked with the Dhattura and Kama with the Kadamba, while the Gandharvas enter sandalwood trees during the monsoons. References to the gods and the heavenly afterlife are many because this is the only way that people would respect and worship trees, and even while cutting trees, would keep the count intact. In fact, improve upon it.

Not enough of this wisdom is with us today as we relentlessly cut and hack away. The gods will desert us as surely as we ignore them. And what about the afterlife?