Ashoka Ashtami is celebrated on the Ashtami of Shukla Paksha in Chaitra month. This year it will be celebrated on 29 March 2023. On this day Ashoka tree and Lord Shiva are worshipped. Lord Shiva is very fond of the Ashoka tree. Hence, on this day both Ashoka tree and Lord Shiva are worshipped together.
Why is Ashoka Ashtami Puja observed?
In India, several festivals are celebrated as a gratitude to the beautiful nature around us. In the scriptures, God is present in every single thing in the world, along these lines worshipping trees is considered equivalent to worshipping God. Our culture involves a celebration of nature in all its festivals.
Every tree has its importance, along with being our lifesavers, they also increase wealth. Ashoka tree too is a giver of happiness and peace in our life. The festival Ashoka Ashtami recognises the positivity nature brings to our lives.
According to facts and beliefs, it is believed that the Ashoka tree originated from Lord Shiva. Worshipping this tree brings blessings of Lord Shiva. In order to obtain desired goals or fulfillment of wishes, one must offer milk to the roots of the Ashoka tree and wrap Soot around it. Worshipping Ashoka trees holds importance both religiously and scientifically.
Ashoka Ashtami Katha
The significance of Ashoka trees is depicted very well in our ancient scriptures. Ramayana, for instance, has a very important mention of the Ashoka tree. When Sita is captured by Ravan, she spends a good amount of time under an Ashoka tree. When Hanuman goes to Lanka he sees her below the Ashoka tree. He quietly sits on the Ashoka tree and calls out to Sita. He informs Sita that Ram has called for her. As a proof, he also shows her Ram’s ring. Sita is delighted and agrees to go with Hanuman. The Ashoka tree blesses Sita and frees her.
There is another mythological story that speaks about the origin of the Ashoka tree. As per this story just like Rudraksha, the Ashoka tree too originated from Lord Shiva’s tears. The tears from one eye got converted to Rudraksha and the other eye got converted to Ashoka tree. As per scriptures, the story goes like this:
One day Ravana decides to appease Lord Shiva by singing the Shiva Tandava. Lord Shiva naturally performs Tandava. This leads to fear among all the Devas. They worry that the Tandava will lead to Pralay. They then approach Lord Vishnu for protection from any mishappening. Lord Shiva is helpless and as he performs his Tandava, two tears roll down his eyes. This leads to the birth of Ashoka Tree.
Ashoka Ashtami Vrat and Puja Vidhi
- On the day of Ashok Ashtami one should take a bath early in the morning and then wear clean clothes.
- Shivling Abhishek should be performed.
- Ashoka tree leaves should be offered on the Shivling.
- Water should be offered to the Ashoka tree.
- Raw milk mixed with Gangajal should be offered in the roots of the Ashoka tree.
- Soot or a red thread should be wrapped seven times around the Ashoka tree.
- Parikrama of the Ashoka tree should be performed.
- Kumkum and Akshat should be applied to the tree.
- A four-sided Ghee Dipa should be lit in front of the Ashoka tree.
- Dhoop and Dipak should be used while performing the Aarti in front of the tree.
- One Adhyay of Ramayan should be read while sitting there only.
- A bit of sweet should also be offered to the tree.
- All the sorrows of a person perish by observing the fast and worshipping Ashoka tree on the day of Ashoka Ashtami.
- Placing Ashoka tree leaves in drinking water on this day cures all diseases. VA person’s miseries are eliminated and problems are resolved on observing a fast and praying on Ashoka Ashtami.
Importance of Ashoka Ashtami in Garuda Purana
“अशोककलिका ह्यष्टौ ये पिबन्ति पुनर्वसौ ।
चैत्रे मासि सिताष्टम्यां न ते शोकमवाप्नुयुः ॥ “
Ashoka tree is described very beautifully in the Garuda Purana. It means if on the day of Ashtami Tithi of Shukla Paksha in Chaitra month is also combined by the Punarvasu Nakshatra then observing fast on this day is considered highly beneficial.
It is believed that fasting on this day and consuming eight buds of the Ashoka tree on this day liberates a person from all his/her griefs. he following Mantra should be recited while consuming the buds –
“त्वामशोक हराभीष्ट मधुमाससमुद्भव ।
पिबामि शोकसन्तप्तो मामशोकं सदा कुरु ।।”
Use of Ashoka tree in Vastu Shastra
The Ashoka tree is believed to bring in auspiciousness and positive energy. If this tree is planted in the north direction of the house, then it removes the negativity of the house. If a house is afflicted by Vastu Dosha, then that too can be nullified by planting the Ashoka tree. Some of its advantages are:
- Planting Ashoka trees in the house brings happiness and prosperity.
- The fear of premature death also ends by having the Ashoka tree at home.
- Women who sit under an Ashoka tree get physical and mental strength.
- Marital life also improves by worshipping the Ashoka tree.
To conclude Ashoka Ashtami is important not only to enhance the spiritual side of human beings but it is also able to influence human life in its entire form. A feeling of respect towards any tree is equivalent to respecting nature itself.
Nature can give us life. We should maintain our devotion towards it. This then helps in paving the way for progress and peace for human life. When we respect nature we set an example for our future generations. They learn to respect the relationship between nature and human life. This, in turn, creates a positive and sustainable environment for human beings.