CHAP. XII - THE WORSHIP OF TREES

Summary

Trees are worshipped by the Hindoos as the forms of particular gods: the ŭshwŭtŭ and vŭtŭ are representatives of Vishnoo, and the vilwŭ that of Shivŭ. The devout Hindoos worship them, water their roots, plant them near their houses, &c. The Hindoo females, who are never seen in the streets, plant a sacred tree within the compound, that they may not lose the merit of watering it in the sultry months. The female shōōdrŭs, to honour the wives of bramhŭns, carry water to these trees, and on a fortunate day make offerings to them.

SECT. I.—The Toolŭsee

The Hindoos have no public festival in honour of this plant; but they occasionally prostrate themselves before it, repeating a form of prayer or praise: they have great faith also in the power of its leaves to cure diseases, and use it with incantations to expel the poison of serpents. They plant it also before their houses, and in the morning cleanse the place around it with water and cow-dung; and in the evening place a lamp near it. Throughout the month Voishakhŭ they suspend a large pot over it filled with water, and let the water drop upon it through a small hole. Whenever any of these plants die, it is considered a sacred duty to commit them to the river; and when a person is brought to the river side to die, his relations plant a branch of the toolŭsee near the dying man's head.