COCONUTIn Hinduism, offering coconut in a temple is a common practice. The coconut is broken and placed before the Gods and Goddess and later, distributed as prasaad.

COCONUT

In Hinduism, offering coconut in a temple is a common practice. The coconut is broken and placed before the Gods and Goddess and later, distributed as prasaad. It is offered on occasions like weddings, festivals, inaugurations or in the sacrificial fire whilst performing homa.

Also known as Sriphala in Sanskrit, coconut is referred to as God’s fruit. It is a satvik fruit and is sacred, health-giving, pure, clean, and bestowed with several properties.

IN PAURANIC TALES:

King Satyavrata was a saintly ¬man whose one great desire was to enter heaven with his mortal body. He had once done a good turn to Sage Vishwamitra and so he decided to help him.

Vishwamitra performed a yagna and Satyavrata began to rise heavenwards. When Indra, King of the gods, saw Satyavrata at the gates of Heaven, he was furious and catching hold of him, threw him down. Sage Vishwamitra saw Satyavrata hurtling downwards and shouted, “Let Satyavrata stay where he is now!” Satyavrata’s fall was arrested.

As Indra would not let him ascend into heaven and Vishwamitra would not allow him to come down, Satyavrata became suspended between heaven and earth.

Folklore has expanded this pauranic tale to explain the origin of the coconut tree: Vishwamitra knew that Satyavrata would eventually fall to earth unless held up by physical means, so he propped him up with a long pole. The pole eventually turned into a coconut tree and Satyavrata’s head became its fruit. The fiber around the coconut is Satyavrata’s beard and when you take it off, you see his eyes peering at you.

RITUALS

Coconut, a cash crop, is an important part of the Poorna-Kumbha or the Kalasha and is said to represent prosperity and power.

The Nair community of Kerala places a coconut flowering inside a wooden barrel filled with paddy grains as the auspicious centerpiece in the Kalyanamandapam (traditional wedding podium).

Among the Tamils, the Tali (an important symbol of marriage consisting of a gold ornament stung from a yellow thread) is initially tied around the coconut before it is tied around the bride’s neck by the groom.

On the fifteenth day of Shravana, fishermen in the western coastal regions of India celebrate ‘Nariyal Purnima’. Nariyal Purnima is an important festival for those who depend on the sea for a living. Varun, the Sea God, is worshiped and coconuts are thrown into the sea as an offering. Fishermen also paint their boats and decorate them with flags. Pieces of coconut are distributed to the people as prasaad and coconut rice is served as the main dish on this festival.

AYURVED:

Coconut is specifically beneficial for Pitta dosha related ailments, due to its Sita (cold) effect on the body.

Coconut Ash helps bites and stings heal.

Having an oil bath with warm coconut oil cools you down and moisturizes your skin.

Massaging your feet with coconut oil before bed improves your sleep quality.

Drinking coconut water stimulates hair growth and prevents hair fall.

Applying coconut oil on the lower abdomen soothes menstrual pain/cramps.

Drinking Coconut water with a pinch of natural sugar helps reduce excessive menstrual flow.

SYMBOLISM:

The three eye-like marks on the coconut are thought to represent the three-eyed Lord Shiva.

The tender coconut is covered by layers of fiber. The stripping of fiber is to emphasize the fact that we should be devoid of desires.

Coconut’s hard cover resembles the head of a human being. The breaking of a coconut is considered as breaking of our ego or Ahankara, because devotees are expected to be egoless and pure.

The white kernel within represents our brain.

The juice represents the tendencies of our brain to be jealous and egoist. Usually, the juice is poured out before offering the coconut, which means that we should remove our vaasanas.