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Taittriya Samhita (3.4.8.4)<ref>Taittriya Samhita ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%83)/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A9/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AA Kanda 3 Prapathaka 4])</ref> states that Idhma (samidha) should be of the nyagrodha, audumbara, asvattha and plaksha trees as they are the abodes of gandharvas and apsaras.<blockquote>नैयग्रोध औदुम्बर आश्वत्थः प्लाक्ष इतीध्मो भवत्येते वै गन्धर्वाप्सरसां गृहाः ॥ </blockquote>Hemadri cites a passage from the Brahmapurana that the twigs and leaves of the Asvattha, Audumbara, Plaksha, Chuta (mango) and Nyagrodha are styled Panchabhanga and are auspicious in all rites. The Palasa tree was held to be so sacred that one was not to make seats, sandals or tooth brushes from it or its branches and twigs (Baud. Dhar. Sutr. 2.3.25). Mahabharata Shanti Parva (69.42) forbids even the felling of leaves of trees like the Asvattha that have a platform built for them.<ref name=":03" />

Taittriya Samhita (3.4.8.4)<ref>Taittriya Samhita ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%83)/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A9/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AA Kanda 3 Prapathaka 4])</ref> states that Idhma (samidha) should be of the nyagrodha, audumbara, asvattha and plaksha trees as they are the abodes of gandharvas and apsaras.<blockquote>नैयग्रोध औदुम्बर आश्वत्थः प्लाक्ष इतीध्मो भवत्येते वै गन्धर्वाप्सरसां गृहाः ॥ </blockquote>Hemadri cites a passage from the Brahmapurana that the twigs and leaves of the Asvattha, Audumbara, Plaksha, Chuta (mango) and Nyagrodha are styled Panchabhanga and are auspicious in all rites. The Palasa tree was held to be so sacred that one was not to make seats, sandals or tooth brushes from it or its branches and twigs (Baud. Dhar. Sutr. 2.3.25). Mahabharata Shanti Parva (69.42) forbids even the felling of leaves of trees like the Asvattha that have a platform built for them.<ref name=":03" />

=== Dedication of Gardens ===

=== प्रतिष्ठाविधानम् ॥ Procedure of Pratishta ===

Hemadri in Chaturvarga Chintamani (Dana Kanda p.1029 - 1055) deals at length with the planting of trees, the dedication of a garden and the merit acquired by making gifts of various trees. The procedure of dedicating a garden is prescribed in Shankhyayana grhyasutras (5.3)<ref name=":3" />, Asvalayana grhyasutra parisishta (4.10), Matsya purana (58 and 59), Agnipurana (70) and in many other works. It is modelled in the dedication of wells and tanks.   

Hemadri in Chaturvarga Chintamani (Dana Kanda p.1029 - 1055) deals at length with the planting of trees, the dedication of a garden and the merit acquired by making gifts of various trees. The procedure of dedicating a garden is prescribed in Shankhyayana grhyasutras (5.3)<ref name=":3" />, Asvalayana grhyasutra parisishta (4.10), Matsya purana (58 and 59), Agnipurana (70) and in many other works. It is modelled in the dedication of wells and tanks.   

The Matsyapurana expressly states that the procedure of the consecration of a tank is extended to the consecration of everything, such as a prasada (large house or hall for public use), a garden, the only difference being that the mantras are different.<ref name=":03" /> <blockquote>एवमेषु पुराणेषु तडाग विधिरुच्यते।। ५८.५० ।। कूपवापीषु सर्वासु तथा पुष्करिणीषु च। एष एव विधिर्दृष्टः प्रतिष्ठासु तथैव च।। ५८.५१।। मन्त्रतस्तु विशेषः स्यात् प्रसादोद्यानभूमिषु। (Mats. Pura. 58.50 to 52)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>In most cases, a well or pond is also provided in an orchard to ensure water supply for the trees. The procedure for dedicating trees is similar to that of dedication of a pond. The plants should first be watered, and then rice and curd is to be sprinkled over them. These should be decorated with garlands, and clothes. Two leaves of each plant should be pierced with a gold needle to symbolise Karn Vedh (कर्णवेधः). Seven or eight fruits made of gold are also used in the rituals.

The Matsyapurana expressly states that the procedure of the consecration of a tank is extended to the consecration of everything, such as a prasada (large house or hall for public use), a garden, the only difference being that the mantras are different.<ref name=":03" /> <blockquote>एवमेषु पुराणेषु तडाग विधिरुच्यते।। ५८.५० ।। </blockquote><blockquote>कूपवापीषु सर्वासु तथा पुष्करिणीषु च। एष एव विधिर्दृष्टः प्रतिष्ठासु तथैव च।। ५८.५१।। </blockquote><blockquote>मन्त्रतस्तु विशेषः स्यात् प्रसादोद्यानभूमिषु। (Mats. Pura. 58.50 to 52)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>In most cases, a well or pond is also provided in an orchard to ensure water supply for the trees. The procedure for dedicating trees is similar to that of dedication of a pond. The plants should first be watered, and then rice and curd is to be sprinkled over them. These should be decorated with garlands, and clothes. Two leaves of each plant should be pierced with a gold needle to symbolise Karnavedha (कर्णवेधः). Seven or eight fruits made of gold are also used in the rituals.

A pot should be placed near each tree (or near at least eight out of the lot), filled with water and a gold piece dropped in each pot. Homa should be performed in the evening. Next day, a cow covered in white, and embellished with gold plated horns should be released among the trees. The water in the pots is then used to bathe the donor, after which the Brahmins are given dakshina, including the cow and gold. Homa is continued over the next four days, when once again a feast is organised, and dana of various items are made. The entire ceremony then concludes with giving of dakshina.

A pot should be placed near each tree (or near at least eight out of the lot), filled with water and a gold piece dropped in each pot. Homa should be performed in the evening. Next day, a cow covered in white, and embellished with gold plated horns should be released among the trees. The water in the pots is then used to bathe the donor, after which the Brahmins are given dakshina, including the cow and gold. Homa is continued over the next four days, when once again a feast is organised, and dana of various items are made. The entire ceremony then concludes with giving of dakshina.<ref name=":022" />

==== Particular dates or methods ====

==== Particular dates or methods ====

Bhavishya Purana describes specific dedication ceremonies for different types of trees and orchards. While these broadly run along lines discussed above, there is some additional information about the form and purpose of these ceremonies.

Bhavishya Purana describes specific dedication ceremonies for different types of trees and orchards. While these broadly run along lines discussed above, there is some additional information about the form and purpose of these ceremonies.

For example, while dedicating a garden for public use, the donor also makes a specific prayer that if anyone is hurt or dies due to a fall from the trees, (or from the walk-way) then the donor should not be held spiritually liable. (Madhya Parva. Bhaga 3. Adhyaya 1. (उपवनादिप्रतिष्ठावर्णनम्) 31 and 44)

For example, while dedicating a garden for public use, the donor also makes a specific prayer that if anyone is hurt or dies due to a fall from the trees, (or from the walk-way) then the donor should not be held spiritually liable. (Madhya Parva. Bhaga 3. Adhyaya 1. (उपवनादिप्रतिष्ठावर्णनम्) 31 and 44)<blockquote>वृक्षाग्रात्पतितस्यापि आरोहात्पतितस्य च। मरणे वास्थिभङ्गे वा कर्ता पापैर्न लिप्यते ।।३१।। (Bhav. Pura. Madh. Parv. 3.1.31)</blockquote>

वृक्षाग्रात्पतितस्यापि आरोहात्पतितस्य च। मरणे वास्थिभङ्गे वा कर्ता पापैर्न लिप्यते ।।३१।। ()

Similarly, as mentioned in Bhavishya Purana (Madhya Parva. Bhaga 3. Adhyaya 2. (गोप्रचारवैशिष्ट्यवर्णनम्)), in the case of a Goprachara, a shelter and grazing land dedicated for all living beings, trees should be planted in the East, a walk-way or bridge constructed in the South, fire-place built in the West, and a pond or well dug in the North. Anyone who digs up or misuses such a place suffers from loss of family and lineage.

Similarly, in the case of a Goprachar (),259 a shelter and grazing

The donor invokes Indra, Agni, Yam, Varun, Vayu etc. to protect the shelter.260 He/she also prays for welfare of all who use the shelter, and that the donor should not be held liable for any accidental loss of life among those who take shelter. Pardon is also sought for any trees that may be lost due to lightening.

land dedicated for all living beings, trees should be planted in the East, a

Additional guidance on specific ceremonies and rituals for different categories of trees is given in Madhyama Parva of Bhavishya Purana:

walk-way or bridge constructed in the South, fire-place built in the West,

● Laghu Upvana - Adhyayas. 3, 4, 6

and a pond or well dug in the North. Anyone who digs up or misuses

● Specific Trees - Adhyayas.7 (श्रेष्ठवृक्षप्रतिष्ठाविधानवर्णनम्) , 11 (सद्वृक्षप्रतिष्ठाविधानवर्णनम्)

 

 

 

 

 

 

== References ==

== References ==

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