The Banyan Tree

Today, I write about one of the enduring metaphors of India. In a passage from the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna states that “There is a banyan tree which has its roots upward and its branches down and whose leaves are the Vedic hymns. One who knows this tree is the knower of the Vedas.”

The verse refers to the reflection of the tree upon water, where it appears to be opposite to reality—that is, the reflection shows the branches down and the roots going up. The original tree, growing on land, is compared to the spiritual world whereas the reflection is seen as the material world. The tree of this material world is only a reflection of the real tree of the spiritual world.

The name Banyan has an interesting origin. In the Gujarati language, baniya means "grocer or merchant," not "tree." The Portuguese observed that the shade of the tree was frequented by Banyans (a corruption of Baniyas, a community of Indian traders,) and confused the name of that community for the tree. By 1634, English writers began to tell of the banyan tree, a tree under which Hindu merchants conducted their business. The tree provided a shaded place for a village meeting or for merchants to sell their goods. Eventually, "banyan" became the name of the tree itself.

The tree is also mentioned in other texts and traditions. In Tamil texts, Shiva, as Dakshinamurthy, is nearly always depicted as sitting in silence under the Banyan with Rishis (Seers) at his feet. The tree is thought of as perfectly symbolizing eternal life due to its seemingly unending expansion.

Shiva under the Banyan Tree

The banyan tree is the national tree of India. It is also called Indian or Bengal fig. It is considered sacred and can be seen near a temple or religious center. An old custom offers worship to this tree.

The metaphor of the Banyan tree suggests the following: that to attain spiritual realization, one has to understand the flickering nature of the material world. Sometimes, as waters move on a lake, the reflection of the tree appears and disappears. One who transcends material existence is able to understand this, and focuses his gaze on the real tree instead of its reflection. Thus, according to the passage, one who knows this truly, knows the Vedas (the texts of spiritual wisdom.)

The Yoga Zapper

Mohan Ashtakala is the author of "The Yoga Zapper," published by Books We Love.