Bud of Hope

Parijat:  Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (Night-flowering Jasmine)

[This post was originally shared on October 2009 on "gather' -the networking space which had a premature end. But similarly and unfortunately the plant also died. Last June 2013 I bought a sapling and today, May 15, 2014 we saw the first flower! 2022-July- up above the roof so high!]

It is exciting to have a tree of #Parijat (Pavizhamalli -local) in your garden.

 

We have been searching for a sapling since long time.

When we found one in the local temple, the old man there refused a branch saying one cannot take it from a temple garden!

But we found one unexpectedly at another place and cracked a small branch. 

It was so small. We put it for one night in water and next morning I planted it. Alas! That day the sun was so hot that the branch dried and by evening all the leaves were brown! 

We kept watering. After two days the rain began. Good rain for two weeks. 

At the top edge of the part above the ground, there was this bud!

The tree of hope!

Then alas! It died again..........!

The new sapling brought last year (June 2013) was good. It grew. Look how big the leaves are!

Then there was this flower bud yesterday (May 14, 2014)!!!!!

and today we saw the first flower at last!

Mythology

The scriptures tell us that the original Parijata tree was brought to earth by Lord Krishna from the heavenly abode of Indra. The presently known Parijata trees were named after this legendary tree due to their beautiful and sweet fragrance. Each morning the Parijat flowers must be gathered from the ground, as they fall from the tree daily as soon as opening.

(Ref: Krishnastore.com)

Reference: Wikepedia: (acknowledgement:snaps of flowers- from net with thanks)

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Parijata.jpg

[Krishna Uproots the Parijata Tree, Folio fromBhagavata Purana (Ancient Stories of the Lord), 1525-1550 Painting]

Parijat appears in several Hindu myths. In one myth, which appears in Bhagavata Purana, the Mahabharata and the Vishnu Purana, Parijat appeared as the result of the Samudra manthan (Churning of the Milky Ocean). In another myth, Parijat was brought to earth byKrishna from Indra's garden.

In Hindu mythology, there is a story involving Lord Krishna about a parijat and Krishna's two wives, Satyabhama and Rukmini. Satyabhama wanted this "Parijat" tree from the Heaven to be planted in her garden. Rukmini too, took a fancy to the flower. Krishna, wanting to keep both his wives happy, planted this tree so that the flowers fell in Rukmini’s garden while the tree remained in Satyabhama’s garden.

The tree was planted in the garden of Indra, the Lord of Heavens. Even as Krishna stole a branch of the tree he was spotted by Indra. However, Indra desisted from placing a curse on Krishna since he was an incarnation of Vishnu. Still, Indra put forth a curse on the stolen branch that it will never bear fruit even though the flowers may bloom on the tree. Since the day the tree was planted at Barabanki (the wives' garden), it flowers but does not reproduce, because it has no seeds and the branch cannot take root.

Not only the tree has high medicinal values in Ayurveda and is divine to Hindus, but also has it's share of stories of it's romantic origin. According to hindu mythology, Parijathaka a princess was in love with sun and failed to win his heart,even after trying a lot. So She comitted suicide and from her ashes rose the tree parijatha. Unable to stand the sight of her love, she blooms only during night and sheds all the flowers (resembling tears) before the sun rises or with the touch of very first sun rays. The highly fragrant flowers bloom during night spreading there essence all to the surroundings. The courtyards filled with these flowers in the very morning is a bliss to eyes and their aroma arises your spirit. These are apparently only flowers that Hindus offer to GOD picked from the ground instead of plucking from the tree.

Oh! Lord, Bless us, as we could see the first flower this auspicious morning!

An update on August 05, 2016 The plant is up as a tree! 

Got this article link today 2022-07-10 from the second url. 
1 https://pharmeasy.in/blog/health-benefits-of-parijat-leaves-and-flowers/

2 https://www.thebetterindia.com/290377/how-to-grow-parijat-tree-at-home-harsingar-flower-night-jasmine/