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| 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,
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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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
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