SPREAD LIKE A BANYAN TREE

U.S. Moinuddin, amidst the aerial roots of a Banyan Tree

Banyan tree (Ficus Benghalensis) is highly regarded in Indian culture and occupies the pride of place amongst the sacred trees of India. In the rural parts of India, a Banyan tree acts as the focal point of the village panchayat, and also as a gathering place for village councils and meetings.  It has aerial roots that grow down into the soil forming additional trunks. The roots coming out of the branches are at first as slender as cotton threads.  Gradually, as they grow longer, they anchor themselves in the ground. The roots grow into mighty pillars, supporting the weight of the heaviest branches. The leaves are large, leathery, glossy green in colour, and elliptical in shape, they are also used as animal fodder. Young leaves of the Banyan tree have an attractive reddish tinge.

The fruits of the tree are green and hard at first, soon they turn red and soft in texture. Birds and monkeys relish these fruits, but the taste of the fruits for the humans is poor. Further, they are often infected by hosts of insects that repel humans from consuming them.

                                                                                      

 It can reach a height of over hundred feet and the circumference of the canopy reaches 600 to 1000 ft. A Banyan tree can live for centuries, it symbolises long life and also represents the divine creator Brahma. It is invariably planted in front of the temples. The numerous stems of the Banyan trees are even regarded as the home of Gods and spirits. It was under a Banyan tree that the Hindu sages sat in a trance seeking enlightenment and it was here that they held discourses and conducted holy rituals. Gauthama Buddha is believed to have sat under a Banyan tree for seven days, absorbed in his new found realisation.

                                   

One summer, a Japanese organisation had organised a Bonsai exhibition at a botanical garden. I noticed a beautiful miniature Banyan tree in a pot.  A giant tree dwarfed by the Japanese art of Bonsai. At times we are no less than a Bonsai. We limit our thoughts and actions and fail to spread like a Banyan tree. We like to restrict ourselves with our tiny thoughts limiting our vision. Years pass. One fine day, the episodes from our childhood, youth and old age play like a big movie. With a big sigh, we comprehend that. Our own hands, our own choices and actions, have dwarfed us.

 Your growth does make a difference. How massive is your growth intellectually, emotionally, professionally and economically?  A growth, where you can feel proud of your existence; a growth, where you can spread and provide  ‘shelter’ to the other human beings like a Banyan Tree.

                   -U.S. Moinuddin, Environmentalist, Author, Educationist, Motivational Speaker