Kalpavriksha

Kalpavriksha

"Kalpavriksha" (Devanagari: कल्पवृक्ष) is a mythological, wish-fulfilling divine tree that is a common trope in Sanskrit literature from the earliest sources onwards – see Rig Veda (1.75; 17.26). Along with the "kamadhenu", or 'wish-giving cow', the "kalpavriksha" originated during the "Samudra manthan" or "churning of the milk ocean", and the King of the gods, Indra returned with it to his paradise. While there is no attested Sanskrit source conclusively identifying this mythological tree with any real, known tree "kalpavriksha" can figuratively refer to a source of bounty.

Different trees are referred to as the Kalpa Vriksha.
* According to the Padma_Purana, this tree is the 'Parijat' - Night-flowering_Jasmine.
* At Joshimath in Uttaranchal, which commemorates the residence of Adiguru Shankaracharya, there is a large, ancient "bodhi" tree known locally as the "kalpavriksha". This tree is the Pipal / Peepal tree - Sacred_Fig.
* Some persons refer to the Banyan tree as the Kalpavriksha.
* Some parts of India, especially coastal areas call the Coconut tree as Kalpavriksha or "kalpataru" because of its ability to amply provide for human needs.

Other attested synonyms include: "kalpataru", "kalpadruma" and "kalpapāda".

References

*Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dhallapiccola
*V.S. Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary. Kyoto: Rinsen Book Company, 1992.


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