पान के पत्ते - Betel Leaves

Belel Leaves - Paan, Tambul

Betel leaves are known as "Paan" or "Tambul" in India. It is in use in India and South Asia from time unknown. It is used as a mouth freshener after a meal. In Hindu worship, it is also used as an offering to gods when all Naivedya is already offered. This Paan offering is in the shape of a roll which is called a "Beeda". But in this "Beeda" lime (Choona) is not applied. It consists of Supari (Areca nut), cloves, small cardamom, camphor (कपूर) and pieces of coconut flesh. There are different Shlokas for the offering of Paan, one of them is as below:-

ताम्बूलं   च   वरं   रम्यं   कर्पूरादिसुवासितम྄| 

सर्वभोगाधिकं स्वादु सलिलं देव (देवी) गृह्यताम྄|| 

(Tambulam ch Varam Ramyam Karpuradisuwasitam. Sarvbhogadhikam Swadu Salilam dev Grihyatam.) 

        Pann leaves are treated as auspicious. When Naivedyam is offered, it is put in a plate or Thali. But when for different Naivedyam there are not many plates, then these are offered to gods on betel leaves. Laddoos, fruits and Kheer are put on different Paan leaves and offered as Naivedyam to gods. 

          Sometimes like in "Satyanarayan Puja", many other gods are also invoked. To give them seats the Paan leaves are used. First, some Akshat is put on the cleaned surface and over it, Paan leaves are put. Then taking Akkshat, flower and Jal in the hand the concerning god is prayed and called as "Ehagachchha, Ehatishtha" and the things in hand are put on the Paan leaves. "Ehagachchha, Ehatishtha" (इहागच्छ, एहातिष्ठ) are Sanskrit words which means 'Come here and take your seat' (आप यहाँ आएं, यहाँ बैठें).

 

Ready for Kapoor Aarti

        When Arti is shown to gods, generally the Deepak (lamp) or Camphor (कर्पूर, कपूर) is placed over a Paan leaf over some Akshat on a plate.

        Since it is considered auspicious it is used in all auspicious Sanskaras like Wedding and Janeu (Upanayana, Putting the holy thread on the body). Paan has its use in many rituals of the wedding. For example, if some fruits are to be given in the hands of the bride or groom, first a Paan leaf is put on the palms and then over it, fruits are placed. Another interesting ritual in a wedding in Mithila (Bihar) is named as Galsedi. It is a welcome ritual for the bridegroom when the Barat (Marriage Procession - बारात) comes to the bride's home.  Before the groom gets down from the vehicle, a group of married women goes to him with a Deepak on a Thali containing colored Akshat spread on it. They take a Paan leaf warm it over the Deepak and touch the cheeks of the groom with it. It is called Galsedi. 

A Beeda of Paan. Gillori, Khilli

          Paan is a part of Hindu culture. It is a ritual to have a "Beeda" of Paan at a place of pilgrimage when the worship is over.  

          Perhaps in India, Paan is the fondest of people of Mithila (Bihar). It is a part of daily life there. People take it many time a day. Some people carry a box of Paan with them which is called "Panbatta"(पनबट्टा). Either they will keep Beedas of Paan in it or Paan leaves wrapped in a water soaked thin cotton cloth. The Paan eaters enjoy making Beedas of the Paan by taking leaves of Paan out of "Panbatta". If you ask a Maithil (A person of Mithila in Bihar) "Why do you eat Paan?" Then it is sure you will get an answer, "Paan and Makhaan are not available even in the Heaven." Makhaan is the foxnut (Euryale ferox) which is mostly cultivated in the ponds of Mithila.

A Panbatta - A box for Betel Leaves

          Paan of Benaras is famous. It has also been included into Bollywood songs. Remember the famous song of movie "Don" in which Amitabh Bachchan sings-'Khai Ke Paan Banaraswala, Khul Jaaye Band Akal Ka Tala'. Wazid Ali Shah is well known for his love of Paan. From that tradition, Paan in Lucknow includes many aromatic things in it. There is a range of Paan available there - ranging from a few rupees to thousands of rupees. A roll of Paan is also called Gillori here.
      Customs apart it is said to have medicinal properties in Ayurveda. It clears throat in a cough when chewed. Such Paan is taken with cloves, mint and 'Gulukand' (Gulukand is a jelly-like thing made from red rose flower petals). It is said to have aphrodisiac properties. 
          The plant of Paan is a climber which does not bear a fruit. It is cultivated for its leaves only. It requires a lot of water. Warm and humid weather is good for it but it cannot bear the direct sunshine. So for its cultivation in the field, a hut type of structure is made from which sunshine enters partly. 
          It has many varieties. Bengal mainly produces two varieties of Paan - Bangla Patta and Meetha Patta (Patta means leaf). Bangla or Desi variety is the most popular and cheaper too. Meetha Patta has a distinct taste and costs more. In Bihar, a popular variety of Paan is produced which is named as "Magahi". It is smaller in size compared to other varieties and less green too. It dissolves easily in the mouth. It is also costlier. Paan is also produced in Odisha and a variety of it is named after a district in Odisha-Ganjam. And there is Banarasi Patta which is more yellowish.
         As far as Hindu worship is concerned it should be used as per requirement. But daily consumption of it should be avoided because it is taken by most of the people with tobacco (Zarda) which causes cancer. Another ingredient areca nut (Supari) is also said to cause cancer. Again the Paan spitting is very disgusting and its spots on the roads and on the walls are an eye-shore.