HEALTH AND WELLNESS - THE GANESHA WAY

The leaves, flowers, seeds, root, branches, bark, stem and even the soil of the place where tulsi shrub grows are all holy. (Padma purana Uttarkhand 24/2)     |   HEALTH AND WELLNESS - THE GANESHA WAY Hinduism, as we all know, is not exactly a religion but a way of wellness. Its culture, festivals, and traditions are all scientifically proven and have stood the test of time, only to show the world that they are not just mere superstitions or blind faith but are purposive facts. Each and every step, from morning till night and the whole year, according to the changing seasons are well-designed packages to combat the seasonal onset of diseases and allergies. Our ancient sages and rishis are no less than the present day naturalists. They lived harmoniously with nature, blending our rituals in giving due respect in acknowledging nature as a whole (the five natural forces – earth, water, fire, air and space along with the plant and animal kingdoms) and in turn being protected, i.e., "Vruksho Rakshathi Rakshithaha". Top Most of our festivals coincide with seasonal transitions, each festival being associated with a particular God or Goddess. And they in turn are associated with certain favourite leaves, flowers and fruits. Ganesha Chathurthi is just round the corner and the very obvious changes in our surroundings can be noted in: The change of season – summer to monsoon The general landscape – lush green surroundings, seasonal blooms, overflowing ponds and lakes. The weather – overcast skies, mild sunshine and sudden showers. Though the weather be pleasant, it’s a harbinger of unwanted guests – cough, cold, throat infection, fever, breathing problems, swine flu, diarrhoea, malaria, skin infections, etc. Has anyone wondered about the offerings made to Ganesha, the Vigna Vinaashaka, Budhi Kaaraka, and Arogya Pradaayaka? The offerings include 21 varieties of leaves along with specific mantras. Going by the season, there must be a good reason why these particular leaves are offered, apart from the reason that they are available aplenty during this time. Each of these is known to have an abundance of medicinal values that can combat all those troublesome illnesses mentioned earlier. Let’s familiarise ourselves with the names and practical uses of some of these leaves. 1. Om Sumukhaya namaha - Maachi Patram     Samarpayaami 11. Om Binnadanthaya namaha - Vishnukranta       Patram Samarpayaami 2. Om Ganadhipaya namaha - Bruhathi Patram     Samarpayaami 12. Om Vatave namaha - Dadima Patram       Samarpayaami 3. Om Uma Puthraya namaha - Bilva Patram     Samarpayaami 13. Om Sarveswaraya namaha - Devadaru Patram       Samarpayaami 4. Om Gajananaya namaha - Durva Patram     Samarpayaami 14. Om Phalachandraya namaha - Maruvaka Patram       Samarpayaami 5. Om Harasunave namaha - Dattura Patram     Samarpayaami 15. Om Herambhaya namaha - Sindhuvaara Patram       Samarpayaami 6. Om Lambodharaya namaha - Badari Patram     Samarpayaami 16. Om Surpakarnaya namaha - Jaji Patram       Samarpayaami 7. Om Guhagrajaya namaha - Apamarga Patram     Samarpayaami 17. Om Suragrajaya namaha - Ganika Patram       Samarpayaami 8. Om Gajakarnaya namaha - Tulasi Patram     Samarpayaami 18. Om Ibhavaktraya namaha - Sami Patram       Samarpayaami 9. Om Ekadanthaya namaha - Chuta Patram     Samarpayaami 19. Om Vinayakaya namaha - Ashvatha Patram       Samarpayaami 10. Om Vikataya namaha - Karaveera Patram       Samarpayaami 20. Om Surasevithaya namaha - Arjuna Patram       Samarpayaami 21. Om Kapilaya namaha - Arka Patram       Samarpayaami 1. Om Sumukhaya namaha - Maachi Patram Samarpayaami Sanskrit name : Maachi patram Telugu name : Davanamu Cures nervous disorders intestinal diseases mental disorders weakness Good for digestion Machi patram - Davanamu Top 2. Om Ganadhipaya namaha - Bruhathi Patram Samarpayaami Sanskrit name : Bruhathi patram Telugu name : Vaakudu / Nela Mulaga Used to cure urinary disorders cough asthma Bruhathi patram - Vaakudu Top 3. Om Uma Puthraya namaha - Bilva Patram Samarpayaami Sanskrit name : Bilva patram Telugu name : Maaredu Used to cure diarrhoea piles diabetes Bilva patram - Maaredu Top 4. Om Gajananaya namaha - Durva Patram Samarpayaami Sanskrit name : Durva patram Telugu name : Garika Used to cure eczema syphilis vomiting diarrhoea Good for clotting of bleeding wounds Durva patram - Garika gaddi Top 5. Om Harasunave namaha - Dattura Patram Samarpayaami Sanskrit name : Dathura patram Telugu name : Ummetha Used to cure asthma whooping cough intestinal diseases skin diseases joint pains Dattura patram - Ummetha Dattura patram - Ummetha Top 6. Om Lambodharaya namaha - Badari Patram Samarpayaami Sanskrit name : Badari patram Telugu name : Regu Used to cure Dysentery Fever wounds and hurts Good for digestion purifying blood Badari patram Top 7. Om Guhagrajaya namaha - Apamarga Patram Samarpayaami Sanskrit name : Apamarga patram Telugu name : Uttareni Used to cure piles boils skin allergies stomach ache Good for digestion gums and teeth Apamarga patram - Uttareni Top 8. Om Gajakarnaya namaha - Tulasi Patram Samarpayaami Sanskrit name : Tulsi patram Telugu name : Tulsi patram Used to cure Cough Cold Fever Dysentery vomiting intestinal worms skin diseases asthma Good for hair gums and teeth digestion stress relieving Tulsi patram Top   9. Om Ekadanthaya namaha - Chuta Patram Samarpayaami Sanskrit name : Chutha patram Telugu name : Mamidi Used to cure cracks in feet diphtheria throat infections diabetes Chutha Patram - Mamidi Top 10. Om Vikataya namaha - Karaveera Patram Samarpayaami Sanskrit name : Karaveera patram Telugu name : Pacha Ganneru Used to cure heart diseases urinary disorders wounds leprosy Karaveera Patram - Pacha Ganneru Top 11. Om Binnadanthaya namaha - Vishnukranta Patram Samarpayaami Sanskrit name : Vishnu krantha patram Telugu name : Vishnu krantha patram Used to cure Nervous disorders fever Good for enhancing memory power Vishnu Krantha Patram Top 12. Om Vatave namaha - Dadima Patram Samarpayaami Sanskrit name : Dadima patram Telugu name : Danimma Used to cure malaria wounds Dadima patram - Danimma Top 13. Om Sarveswaraya namaha - Devadaru Patram Samarpayaami Sanskrit name : Devadaru patram Telugu name : Devadaru patram Used to cure skin diseases wounds fever diarrhoea Devadaru patram Close-up of Devadaru patram Top 14. Om Phalachandraya namaha - Maruvaka Patram Samarpayaami Sanskrit name : Maruvaka patram Telugu name : Maruvam Used to cure joint pains Maruvaka patram - Maruvam Top 15. Om Herambhaya namaha - Sindhuvaara Patram Samarpayaami Sanskrit name : Sindhuvaara Telugu name : Vaavili Used to cure cholera liver diseases heart diseases inflammation fever head ache Sindhuvara patram - Vaavili Top 16. Om Surpakarnaya namaha - Jaji Patram Samarpayaami Sanskrit name : Jaaji patram Telugu name : Jaaji patram Used to cure skin diseases mouth ulcers Good for cooling the body Jaaji patram - Jaaji Top 17. Om Suragrajaya namaha - Ganika Patram Samarpayaami Sanskrit name : Ganika patram Telugu name : Kamanchi Used to cure heart diseases skin diseases piles cough Ganikaa Patram - Kamanchi Top 18. Om Ibhavaktraya namaha - Sami Patram Samarpayaami Sanskrit name : Sami patram Telugu name : Jammi Used to cure Asthma Cough Good for digestion reducing body heat Shami patram - Jammi Close-up of Shami patram - Jammi Top 19. Om Vinayakaya namaha - Ashvatha Patram Samarpayaami Sanskrit name : Ashvatha patram Telugu name : Raavi Used to cure Wounds Skin & foot cracks Skin diseases mental disorders fertility disorders Good for digestion increasing sperm count increasing fertility in women Ashwadha Patram - Raavi Top 20. Om Surasevithaya namaha - Arjuna Patram Samarpayaami Sanskrit name : Arjuna patram Telugu name : Maddhi Used to cure heart diseases cough cold Arjuna Patram - Maddhi Top 21. Om Kapilaya namaha - Arka Patram Samarpayaami Sanskrit name : Arka patram Telugu name : Tella Jilledu Used to cure skin diseases cough asthma Ear-ache elephantiasis leprosy Arka Patram - Jilledu So, in the process of touching and offering these leaves to Lord Ganesha devotionally, along with the specific manthra and retaining them in the house for 3 to 9 days, the aromatic and the medicinal oils are released into the surroundings. These are meant to be inhaled by people present in the premises, thus, paving a way to physical, mental, emotional wellness. [NOTE: The medicinal properties given here are of that particular plant/tree, as per Ayurvedic Medicine. These are only indicative, so do consult a doctor for treatment purposes.] Just imagine the presence of Ganesha in the entire flora around us, in our gardens, and even in our temples. He literally exists there and protects us through these divine life forms naturally, all through the year ensuring wellness to mankind and mother earth. So, cease to ponder on the reasons and remedies for man’s ailments. Nature in its bounty has provided us the answers, which we only need to be aware of. A sound body and mind is only a leaf away! SARVE JANA SUKHINO BHAVANTHU