Many of you may have seen Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif's Aam Sutra ad on TV (right). While the ad leaves you tempting for a slice (pun intended) of the delicious fruit, do you know that besides being a desirable fruit, the mango fruit has many spiritual connotations as well?
The mango tree itself is worshipped by the Hindus. Called amra in Sanskrit, the Puranas say that besides Goddess Lakshmi, the mango tree is also associated with Govardhan (parvat) and Gandharva god.'....
The Srimad Bhagavatam has references to the use of mango leaves:
"At each and every gate, there were burning lamps and big waterpots decorated with differently colored cloth, strings of pearls, flower garlands and hanging mango leaves.' (Chapter 4.9.55)
'Vrajapura, the residence of Nanda Mahārāja, was fully decorated with varieties of festoons and flags, and in different places, gates were made with varieties of flower garlands, pieces of cloth, and mango leaves......' (Chapter 10.5.6)
'Vrajapura, the residence of Nanda Mahārāja, was fully decorated with varieties of festoons and flags, and in different places, gates were made with varieties of flower garlands, pieces of cloth, and mango leaves......' (Chapter 10.5.6)
Besides being an auspicious symbol, mango leaves are also said to ward off negative forces from entering the home, one reason why the leaves are tied in a string above the front door. The leaves also help eliminate drishti, or evil eye. Even those homes which do not usually sport mango leaves at the entrance, make it a point to adorn the entrance during special days or festivals. Hindu rituals are incomplete without the use of five mango leaves tied in a string around a kalash, or holy urn, being symbolic of Mahalakshmi and therefore, a vital part of Varalakshmi Vratam, a Tamil puja dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. Their association with the mango fruit also make them symbols of fertility and continuity of the family.
A kalash or purna kumbha comprises water – the main requisite of life. Through water, Varuna, the God of rain, is being worshipped. Varuna brings rain, which ensures fertility on earth, and becomes the source of nourishment for humans as well as animals. After water, the purna kumbha is filled with twigs or leaves of five trees – the ashwatha (peepul), the vata (Banyan), the amra (Mango), the panasa (Jackfruit) and the Bakula (Elengi). The mouth of the pot is covered with a husked coconut, and the sides decorated with mango leaves, the latter representing Kama, the god of fertility. The Purna Kumbha symbolises life in plenty and sends a strong message across: when nature thrives, so does humanity.
The mango fruit also has many health benefits. A rich source of vitamin A, some varieties of mango contain fairly good amounts of vitamin C also. Beta-Carotene and Xanthophyll are the principal pigments in ripe mango, while the leaves contain the glucoside mangiferine. The bark of the mango tree contains tannin and is used in curing diphtheria and rheumatism, besides hemorrhage, nasal catarrh, diarrhea and ulcers. Mango leaves are used in the treatment of burns, scalds and diabetes. Mangiferin present in the leaves possesses antiinflammatory, diuretic, chloretic and cardiotonic activities and displays a high antibacterial activity against gram positive bacteria. It has been recommended as a drug in preventing dental plaques.
