The worship of trees like Audumbar, Banyan, and Peepal is practiced. Originally, these were the deities of the Dravidians, but we have included them in our traditions. The Banyan tree is a divine tree, and the story of Satyavan and Savitri is associated with it. These are not just stories of gods and goddesses but are mythological tales created by sages to illustrate religious principles. Although these stories are fictional, they have been crafted to convey fundamental concepts. The Banyan tree exemplifies the idea that everything can come from nothing, as a large tree grows from a tiny seed.

    The Peepal tree, also known as 'Ashwattha,' embodies various deities. The roots, middle part, and top of this tree are considered to be the forms of deities. Therefore, it is regarded as the embodiment of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh.

    The significance of the Audumbar tree is that it indicates the presence of water beneath it, and because the water is cool, the deity Dattatreya, who is of a calm and serene nature, resides there. The Audumbar tree bears fruit throughout the year, hence it is called the 'Kalpavriksha' (wish-fulfilling tree). The Audumbar tree grows only where there is always water in the ground; otherwise, it does not grow. The importance of the Audumbar tree is mentioned in the Guru Charitra. The fruits of the Audumbar tree have medicinal properties. After killing Hiranyakashipu, Narasimha's fingers started burning. He dipped his fingers in the fruit of the Audumbar tree, which reduced the burning sensation. The circumambulation of the Audumbar tree is also significant. In the Guru Charitra, it is mentioned that due to these circumambulations, the curse of Brahma was removed, and Somnath's wife bore two sons.

    If you have an Audumbar tree near your house, perform 21 circumambulations with devotion before noon. The coolness of this tree is associated with Dattatreya. Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh, the three deities, are in a balanced state, representing creation, preservation, and destruction. They are also considered as the Guru deity. In the Vishnu Sahasranama, the Audumbar, Peepal, and Banyan trees are mentioned as the tree forms of Vishnu.

|| shree gurudev datta ||