Mariah's Indian Epics Blog

Peepal Tree Image Link Guide to the Peepal Very long life- 900-3000 years Can live in almost any climate; sometimes considered a weed because of its invasiveness Ashwattha means a very large tree first-known depicted tree in India Sacred fig trees meditate beneath/around as a mark of worship can be worshipped to escape contagious diseases and enemies vriksha rajaya namah- salutation to the king of trees ancient stories tell of many times the tree was destroyed by jealous naysayers; faithful supports always regrow it cutting down a peepal is as great a sin as murdering a Brahmin; whoever does so will surely go to hell one who plants the tree may be liberated from the bond of life and death anyone who water the tree should earn merit for his descendents, sorrows redeemed and diseased cured Sita is believed to have sat under this tree too; somehow this lady has sat under every tree in India there was an incident in which the demons defeated the deiti...

Kamadeva Shooting Arrows at Shiva Image Link Ashoka Tree and Kamadeva Sacred Trees and Plants in Hinduism, Richa Sharma, Source Ashoka is a legendary and sacred tree in India, fascinating flower essence;  very fragrant, bright orange-yellow flowers, which later turn red; delicately perfumed flowers are used in temple decoration  very handsome, small, evergreen tree, with deep green foliage and  Ashoka can mean without grief or that which gives no grief the tree of love blossoms;  a symbol of love dedicated to Kamadeva, God of Love; he  cannot be destroyed by demons or gods and permeates the entire cosmos A Brief Guide to The Sacred Trees of India, Jyoti Jennings Roth, Source Ashoka: A Guard Against Grief water in which the Ashoka flowers have been washed is used as a protective and healing draught against sorrow also associated with fertility; the bark of the tree is used as a remedy for reproductive disorders and to restore fertil...

Banyan Tree Image Source Research and background for the next entry in my storybook. This information is for the Banyan tree and Krishna. Link 1 This website talks about the ancient meaning and uses surrounding the tree. Generally planted in front of temples of Krishna or Shiva When the leaves rustle the deities living in the tree are the cause The botanical embodiment of the universal soul Provides fulfillment of wishes and other material gains Symbolizes longevity and Trimurti Vishnu is the bark. Brahma is the roots Shiva is the branches Link 2 The site talks mainly about a specific holy tree but it has other good general information and talks about Krishna's role a bit. Krishna delivered the Bhagavad Gita before the battle in the Mahabharata by the Banyan Krishna says "there is a banyan tree which has its roots upwards and its branches down, and the Vedic hymns are its leaves. One who knows this tree is the knower of the Vedas." The Vedas...

The blossoms of the Ashoka tree Image Link Information for my trees: Mango The trees live a very long time, some even produce fruit for 300 years. Mango cultivation has been seen in Asia for thousands of years. It is only in more modern history that it has been associated with Latin America. India is the largest producer of mangoes, but 99% of that production is consumed in India. It is the national fruit of India and the yearly harvesting is often covered by the news. The mango tree, leaves, and fruit are used in art, worship, celebrations, weddings, festivals, and more. Information Link 1 Banyan The Banyan tree can also live a long life, many of the famous ones found in India are over 200 years old. The Great Banyan tree found in Kolkata is so large it looks more like a forest than a single tree. Its large size provides plenty of shade during hot summer months. The Banyan tree was often the location where Hindu merchants conducted business. This sacred tree is the nat...

TED Logo Image Link First off, I love TED talks and I'm really upset that OU couldn't get its act together and TEDxOU has been moved to the fall after I've already graduated. I've gone the last three years so I'm pretty sad about this. I watched the TEDEd Videos: Language. I might be an English teacher later this year so I thought these videos could help with more than my own storytelling. These language videos were so interesting. The history behind languages and how they change is something I kind of already knew but not in as much detail. Cultures seem to be a major player in how we use languages. (I can't believe the difference between Old English and Modern English. I thought Old English was just 'thou' and 'ye' but it is almost completely different.) I had no idea our 3 tenses can actually lead to 12 different variations. That is a little overwhelming. I'm grateful English is my first language, not sure how I could learn i...