How to plant trees?

1. Reciting verses from Yajurveda while planting trees

अपो देवीरुपसृज मधुमतीः, अयक्ष्माय प्रजाभ्य: ।
तासाम् आस्थानात् उज्जिहताम्, ओषधय: सुपिप्पला: ॥

-Yajurveda, Chapter 11, Kandika 38

Meaning : O Deity of Fire, we request you to bring the Deity of Water endowing good health to this place so that the people remain healthy. We pray unto your holy feet that let trees bearing abundant flowers and fruits grow from this soil watered by Deity of Water.

If this holy verse from Yajurveda is recited wholeheartedly while planting a tree, then apart from being long living, that tree will also bear abundant fruits. Recite mantras while sprinkling water in the pit dug for planting the tree. The roots and shoots of the tree should also be sprinkled with water amidst recitation of mantras.

Mrs. Prajakta Joshi

2. Auspicious lunar asterisms for planting trees or gardening

If you wish to plant trees or create a garden around your house then it should be done on auspicious days occurring on the following lunar asterisms – Ashwini, Rohini, Mrug, Pushya, Uttara, Hasta, Chitra, Vishakha, Anuradha, Uttarashadha, Shatataraka, Uttara Bhadrapada and Revati.

3. Important instructions related to tree planting

Never plant trees using the sapplings grown in the crematorium, along the roadside, in the ashram of ascetics, at the confluence of rivers, or the ones uprooted in a storm, in withered form or the sapplings bearing fruits or flowers given by a sick person.

4. In which direction should a tree be planted ?

It is auspicious to plant an Audumber (Holy fig tree) in the East and South and Peepal in the West. Champa, Chameli (Jasmine), yellow Ketaki (Screw pine), white rose, coconut, lime, betelnut, Jamlum, Mango and red flower yielding trees should be planted in the East.

5. Which creepers and trees should be planted near the house ?

A. Planting Bel (Aegle marmelos), Shami (Indian Mesquite tree), Ashoka, Nagkeshar (Saffron incense), Champa and pomegranate trees and flowering plants of rose, Chameli and Ketaki is auspicious.

B. Saffron, Ashoka, Malati (Rangoon creeper), hibiscus, sandalwood, cinnamon, coconut and jackfruit trees are auspicious irrespective of the direction in which they are planted.

C. Planting tulsi (Holy basil) and durva (Bermuda grass) in abundance results in positive effect. If Tulsi and neem are planted in abundance, then there is a good supply of oxygen.

D. If Parijatak (Coral jasmine), Kanher (Oleander) and creepers bearing blue flowers like Gokarn (Butterfly pea), Krushnakamal (Passion flower) are planted in the North-eastern direction then the effects are benevolent. A lotus pond and water fountain if located in this direction are also auspicious.

E. Lawn, small plants, short medicinal trees, ornamental plants, fragrant plant saplings like jasmine, chrysanthemum and rose should be planted in the East or North.

F. The garden at home should be in the North and North-west side.

G. Planting a guava tree in the North gives opulence.

H. White fragrant flowering plants like Son-Chafa (Michelia Champa), Mogra (Arabian jasmine) should be planted in the North-west. These are mind pleasing.

I. A pomegranate tree should be planted in the bright fortnight of any Hindu lunar month during the reign of the Hasta lunar asterism, as Deity Lakshmi is known to reside in it.

J. Plant a curry leaf tree in the East or South-east.

K. If an almond tree is planted in the South-east in the bright fortnight of a Hindu lunar month during the reign of the Uttara lunar asterism then it endows prosperity.

L. If an Audumber tree is planted in the South then the benefit derived is benevolent as the Guru Principle exists in it. Consequently, Yama frequencies coming from the South are destroyed.

M. Never plant a banana tree at the entrance to a house or just next to the gate beside the road as it has the ability to absorb negativity from the environment which then surrounds the premises.

6. Which trees should not be planted in which direction and the ill-effects of the same

A. Do not plant Audumber, Pakar (A type of fig tree), red floral or thorny plants in the South-east direction as it can bring death or some other catastrophe.

B. Do not grow Peepal in the East, banyan tree in the West, Audumber in the North and Pakar in the South as it is inauspicious and obstructs progress of an individual.

C. Planting a Peepal tree in the East enhances fear.

D. If a banyan tree is planted in the West then the owner or his family experience distress of some kind.

E. If an Audumber tree is planted in the North then there are chances of a resident from that house of suffering from an eye disease.

F. Presence of a yellow flowering plant near the house is considered inauspicious.

G. Thorny plants such as Berry, Babhool (Acacia), Sarata (Pongam tree), cactus etc should not be planted near the house as their thorns spread negative energy. In fact, they are seats of negative energy. This may cause unwarranted enemity and arguments among family members, dejection and misfortune in the home.

H. Shami, Neem and Bel should be planted at some distance behind the house, not beside the house or in front of it.

I. Do not plant a tree yielding latex such as Rui (Calotropis), Jamlum tree around the house as it can cause loss of wealth.

J. Shadow of no tree should fall on the house after the first prahar of the day (8 hours) has elapsed that is after 9 a.m.

K. Do not grow Nilambi and Daruhalad (Turmeric) in the premises of a house as it can cause loss of wealth and progeny. These plants should be grown in a field.

L. Do not plant trees bearing fruit having lot of seeds such as – banana, chickoo, tamarind, drumstick, jamlum and papaya in the compound of your house as it causes loss of money and financial stress.

M. Do not plant big trees to the East of a house as they prevent sunlight from entering the house. Consequently, the immunity of family members to diseases is lost.

N. Do not grow jamlum trees in the compound of a house. Though its seeds serve as medicine to reduce blood sugar, they create discord between family members.

7. When should trees be cut ?

Any tree can be felled in the Hindu lunar months of Bhadrapad or Magh. When the sun is in the Simha (Leo) or Makar (Capricorn) signs of the horoscope a tree should never be cut. Punarvasu, Anuradha, Hasta, Uttara Phalguni, Uttarashadha and Shravan are auspicious lunar asterisms for tree cutting.

8. What is the procedure to be followed before cutting a tree ?

First procure Government permission for felling a tree. Once permission is obtained, on the night before cutting it offer Naivedya (Holy sacrament) to it and ask for forgiveness by saying ‘For some inevitable reason I have to fell you. Please forgive me for that. I will certainly grow a tree of your species at another appropriate spot.’ The next day after worshipping it cut it in the North or East and ensure that it falls in the East or North direction.

– Mrs. Prajakta Joshi, Vastu scholar, Head of Department of Astrology, Maharshi Adhyatma Vishwavidyalay, Goa