पूगीफल (सुपारी) - Betel Nut

Poogiphal, Supari
Betelnut or Arecanut

        पूगीफल (सुपारी) - Betel Nut is also known as Areca Nut. In the Indian Subcontinent, it is either chewed with the betel leaves of in Paan-Masala/ Gutkha. It is the fruit of a tree which belongs to the Palm family. When the fruit is green the core is soft but when it ripes the outer color becomes orange or red and the core hardens which is used in betel leaves. It is known by different names in different part of India. In Hindi, it is known as Supari and in Sanskrit as Poogiphal. It is round and woody. 

          As a custom in Hindu society, while seeing off a guest he is at least offered a pair of Yagyopaveet (Janeu), Betel leaf (Paan), some cloves (as a mouth freshener) and Supari (Betel Nut, Areca Nut). And sometimes money also. Similarly in a Shiva-Puja when the offering of Gangajal, Panchamrita, Vastra (clothes like Dhoti) is complete, the offering of Poogiphal i.e. Supari is done along with a pair of Yagyopaveet, cloves and money. 

             In Hindu custom or in worship the Poogiphal i.e. Supari is used as a substitute for someone or some gods. For example, in a Yagna the person (Yajman) has to perform the rituals with his wife but in case if she is not present (or is dead) then a whole Areca Nut wrapped in cloth is put beside him as a substitute for his wife and the rituals of the Yagna is performed. Poogiphal i.e. Supari is also used for invoking gods like Varuna and Indra in it. But the most popular is the invoking of god Ganesha in a Supari. Like in a Rudravisheka Puja of Shiva, the first worship is done to Ganesha. For it, the Poogiphal i.e. Supari is fully wrapped with the thread of Mouli. It is put over a betel leaf with Akshat on it. The god Ganesha is invoked (Awahan) in it and his worship is performed assuming the Supari as Ganesha.
         Supari is one of the items put in a Kalash when the Kalash Pujan is performed. During the Kalashsthapana the following Mantra is recited while putting the Supari (Poogiphal) in it,

इदं फलं मया सम्यक् प्रक्षिपेत् कलशे यतः |

तेनायं कलशः सम्यक् फलवानस्तु सर्वदा ||

(Edam Phalam Mayaa Samyak Prakshipet Kalashe Yatah.

Tenaayam Kalashah Samyak Phalwaanastu Sarvadaa.)

(Meaning: I am now leaving this fruit (Poogiphal) into the Kalash so may the Kalash be always fruitful to us)
          In addition to the offering of Supari to Shiva, it is also used to perform a Phulaish puja of Shiva. Phulaish Puja is a puja performed for a devotee who wants to know whether his wishes will be granted or not. In the famous temple of Baba Basukinath in the district of Dumka, this worship is done. The wet Akshat is put over the Shivalinga in a heap as high as possible. On the top of this heap, a whole Supari is slowly put. The devotee along with his family chant "Jai Baba Basukinath" and request for fulfilling his wishes. If the Supari at the top falls down after some time, it means the wishes are going to be fulfilled.  

The Supari (Betel nut) worshipped as Ganesha
(wrapped in Mouli thread, a Yagyopaveet around
it and  kept in a "Katori" over dry Akshat

           The Areca Nuts (Supari) offered to Shiva or the one used to invoke gods are not taken as Prasad. They are put in a water body (Visarjit) after the Puja. If the Punditji gives the Supari worshipped as Ganesa to you for daily worship, then keep it at your place of worship in the house in a small plate (Katori) filled with dry Akshat and a Yagyopaveet (Janeu) around the Supari. 

Puja Supari, Poogiphal

            The Supari is available in the market either whole or cut. The cut Supari is not used in the worship. Only the whole ones are used for the Pujan (Worship). The whole Areka nuts are available in two types - one type is rounder and bigger which is also known as "Chhaliya Supari" and the other type is smaller and longer also known as Puja-Supari. Puja-Supari is used for offering to gods and Chhaliya-Supari for invoking a god like Ganesha.

Sarauta, The Nutcracker

         Chhaliya Supari is also used for chewing after cutting or slicing. These are very hard and need a Nutcracker or Supari cutter (Called Sarauta in Hindi). Small pieces of Supari or its slices are also used for chewing with betel leaf or Paan. Though modern research says that chewing of Supari/Areca-nut is not good for health but its consumption in India is like tobacco or cigarette. People consume it even knowing the risks. The consumption of Supari is more in the areas where betel-leaf i.e. Paan is popular culturally. For example the region of Mithila in Bihar. Not only Paan is cultivated but eaten with a passion. They keep it in beautifully engraved boxes known as "Paandan". In this box, there is space for betel leaves, Supari, Kattha (Catechu), cloves, small cardamoms and Chuna (soaked lime). 

          In addition to the worship, the supari is also used for "Sankalp" which means to take a vow of worship or "Japa" and give it to a Panditji (With some rituals) with a faith that he will perform the worship or "Japa" for you on your behalf. In fact, a vow and the faith in a person to do your work has become a proverb in Hindi as "Supari Dena" (To give a Supari to a person). So Supari Dena means entrusting someone a very special work. 

           Sometimes the Supari worshipped as a Ganesha is wrapped in red cloth and placed in the "Tijori" or chest along with Akshat. It is assumed to attract the wealth (Dhan).

            Supari is also used for some "Totkas".  

So the Supari or Pungi Phal is an important Puja item and it is also a part of Indian culture.

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Availability

Supari or the betel nut is easily available in local Kirana shops or Puja item shops. It is also available online at Amazon and Flipkart.

At Amazon:- Supari Whole, Supari Puja, Silver Supari, Lord Ganesha carved on real Supari, Supari Daan- a gift item, Pan Dani 

At Flipkart:- Supari, Supari cutter, 5-Ganesha supari idol, Real Arts Betel Nut (10 decorative pieces). Luxary Supary Box Supari-Pak 

तिल -Sesame Seeds

          Sesame seeds are called "Til" (तिल) in Hindi and Sanskrit. It is the oldest oilseed crop known. Due to being cultivated from ancient times and its capability to grow even in drought-like conditions, the sesame seeds have got a special place in Hindu traditions and worship. Sesame seeds are native to Indian Sub-continent and Africa. In India mostly two types of sesame seeds are grown - Black sesame and White sesame. The white sesame is used in making sweet sesame balls (Til Laddu- तिल लड्डू) while the black sesame is used both as sweet sesame balls and in worship. 
         

Different sweetmeat of sesame seeds
(Til) for Makar Sankranti

According to the Ayurveda, the effect of sesame seeds is warm for the body. Hence it is mostly consumed in the winters. Come November and one can notice the seasonal roadside "Tilkut-Shops" making Tilkuts. Tilkut is a sweetmeat prepared by roasting the sesame seeds in an earthen pot on a coal oven. Then it is mixed with either jaggery, sugar or palm sugar and pounded with a hammer to give a special "Tilkut-shape" which is flat circular in the middle and raised on the circumference. Since its preparation is labor intensive, it is generally made in shops. Homemade sweetmeat is the sesame balls. In a "Kadahi" the white or black sesame is roasted slowly. It is kept aside for cooling so that it becomes crispy. The jaggery is heated with a little water and when it is hot and full of bubbles, the roasted sesame is put in it and mixed well. Taking it down from the oven, the mix is made into small balls while still hot with a wet hand. It is called Til Laddu- तिल लड्डू. The "Tilkut" and Til Laddu (तिल लड्डू) is offered to gods (especially sun god) on the Hindu festival of Makara Sankranti. Makara Sankranti which generally falls on the 14th January each year marks the first day of Sun's transit into Capricorn which is called Makara in Hindi and Sanskrit. From this day the Sun is Uttarayana (उत्तरायण) or Northward. Uttarayana is thought to be preferable for good works. {There is a famous incident in Mahabharata about Bhishm Pitamaha who had a god-gift of choosing a time for his death. When in the Mahabharata war, Arjuna pierced his body with innumerable arrows, he fell down but not on the ground. He laid on the arrows in his body above the ground like on an arrow bed. The death was certain, but he waited for days till the Sun became Uttarayana.} After the worship the offered "Tilkut" and Til Laddu to gods is taken as Prasadam. On this Makar Sankranti festival, the elders give Til sweetmeats to youngers. While giving it there is a ritual to ask a question to younger - "will you remain ever faithful to me on account of each sesame seed?" The younger replies- "Yes".

         There are many types of sweetmeats of sesame. In addition to the above two types, there are "Til-Patti", Chikki and Khoa or Mawa filled Tilkut. They are made in different shapes to make it attractive. The Tilkut of Gaya (a town in Bihar, India) was once famous.

           The sesame seeds have a high oil content. It is edible and has a medicinal property which reduces the blood pressure to a little extent. But the sesame oil is used to light Deepam (दीप) which is offered to gods. The sesame oil Deepak is offered to please the Shani god and do away with bad effects of Shani planet (Saturn). 

        The black sesame seeds are offered to Shiva for good luck and good health. Donation of black sesame seeds is beneficial in doing away with the ill-effects of the planets of Rahu-Ketu. If the black sesame seeds are used to make a cow shape on a Vedi (Worship platform) and after worship, it is donated to a Brahmin along with clothes (Vastra), it is said to be equivalent to a "Godan" (Donation of a cow).

       

White and Black sesame seeds

  The black sesame seeds are regarded as a pure (Pavitra) thing in the Hindu culture. It is used in Pitripaksh to offer to dead forefathers (Pitar -पितर). The first fortnight of Hindu calendar month Ashwin is called Pitripaksh (आश्विन कृष्ण पक्ष). Hindus offer water (Jalam) preferably Ganga water with black Til to the souls of forefather so that they are satisfied and wish well for the living generation (Give Aashirwad). This act is called "Tarpan". The Pitars are called and offered black Til mixed water with the following Mantra (For example):-

अस्मत्पिता अमुकशर्मा  वसुरूपस्तृप्यमिदम् इदं तिलोदकं (गङ्गाजलं वा) 

तस्मै स्वधा नम: |  तस्मै स्वधा नम: |  तस्मै स्वधा नम: | 

(Meaning: We offer Til mixed water to our "Such" named father who is in Vasu form for his Satisfaction. We salute you.) The Til-water is dropped three times through between thumb and first finger.

         There are different forms of the Mantras for offering father, mother, grandfather, and grandmother. 
           Til is easily available in local markets but these may contain very minute sand like particles (Kankar). These make the Til Laddoos and Tilkut bad in chewing and also may harm your teeth. Hence it is advisable to buy it from a good shop. It is also available on Amazon at this link. And on Flipkart at this link.

           Therefore use sesame seeds in worship and in food. But remember, though sesame seeds are being used worldwide in food and chefs are doing experiments with new dishes using sesame seeds, in India traditionally it is used with sweet food items only not with salty foods just like milk. 

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