Parijat Tree - Mythical Musings

Parijat tree is a popular tree which enjoys special status among trees. There are stories around this tree which are popular. One being, Arjun brought this tree from heavens and Kunti used to offer and crown Lord Shiva with its flowers. The other saying being, that Lord Krishna brought this tree for his beloved queen Satyabhama. This is such a special tree that Indian government has issued stamp for this tree.

Parijat, Harsingaar or Shiuli are the different names of the sacred Parijat flower and have a divine fragrance. Beside having medicinal and culinary value the flower holds a very important place in mythology. The flowers are so auspicious that they are picked from ground and are offered to God. Flowers bloom at night and fall at the first ray of light.

Legends of Parijat tree

Many interesting legends are associated with the flower, I would like to share a few of them here.

STORY OF PRINCESS PARIJAT

There was a beautiful princess Parijat who was madly in love with Lord Surya. Everyone warned her but she was adamant. One day Lord Surya came down to marry her on a condition that in any condition she will never turn her back from him. Days passed and summer approached andLord Surya’s power became immense. One day when he came to Parijat’s door and Parijat flinched at his site. Lord Surya became angry and fumed in rage, wilting the princess in the process. When he came back to his senses he realised his mistake and felt sorry. He prayed to Gods for help, God revived her like a tree. Tree has purest white flowers with a blazing orange heart. Sun God visits her every night and the flowers fall down at the first stroke of dawn. Parijat still can’t bear the rays of the Sun.

In another version it is said that Lord Surya refused Parijat’s love she couldn’t accept this and killed herself.. A tree rose from her ashes . The fallen flowers are considered her teardrop which she sheds as she is unable to bear the sight of her lover.

Lord Krishna brought the Parijat tree and Parijat flower from Indralok

According to Bhagwat Puran, Parijat tree emerged during Samudra manthan. Demons and Gods both wanted to have the tree. Lord Indra took it with him and planted it in his garden in Indrapuri.The tree bears beautiful white flowers with divine fragrance.
Once Narad muni gave some flowers to Lord Krishna and asked him to give it to his wife. Lord Krishna gave those flowers to his wife Rukmini. Narada muni also told his wife Satyabhama about the flowers and asked her to persuade Krishna to bring the tree from Indrapuri. Narada also warned Lord Indra that someone might attempt to take away the tree.
when Lord Indra saw Krishna leaving his garden. He started fighting with him. On realising that he might lose the battle he cursed that the tree will never bear any fruit. Krishna brought the tree and planted the tree in Satyabhama’s garden in such a way that the flowers fell in Rukmini’s garden.

Arjuna brought this tree for Kunti

In Mahabharat, it is mentioned that Arjun brought the tree on earth for his mother Kunti. She offered the Parijat flowers to Lord Shiva. Some where it is also mentioned that the tree emerges from the ashes of Kunti. A very famous temple with Parjat tree is located in Barabanki, U.P. It is the only tree that that has descended from heaven that can grant all your materialistic wishes. Every thursday a fair is held and people came to worship the tree.