One of the most sacred trees in the Hindu religion
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| A 'Shami' tree near the gate |
The Shami Tree is worshiped just like the Tulsi plant or Bael Tree by Hindus. Its leaves are used in worship as offerings to God Ganesha, Shiva and Hanuman. Most of the devotees plant this shrub near the gate of their house campus so that whenever they go out for work they see this auspicious tree (सगुन बनाना). Those having space constraints plant it in flower pots (गमला) in the balcony or outer veranda.
The Shami Tree resembles a Babool tree and has similar deep thorns and leaves. A tree named "Khejadi" (Prosopis cineraria / Spicigera) and found abundantly in Rajasthan and adjoining areas (used as fodder) is also called Shami but it looks like that it is a close relative of the holy Shami tree.
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| "Shami" leaves (शमी पत्र) |
The leaves of the Shami tree are offered to Ganesha who is very much pleased with this offering. And being pleased with it He gives the devotee longevity, honor and prosperity. On the biggest festival of Ganesha (Who is also called Vinayaka) --"Ganesha Chaturthi" -- the offering of Shami leaves to him is very fruitful. These leaves are sprinkled with turmeric powder before offering. In Maharashtra where Ganesha is widely worshiped, small plants of Shami are given to relatives and friends as gifts on "Dussera Puja" to bring good luck.
The worship of the Shami tree is a means to reduce the bad effects of the planet "Shani" in astrology. It is done with a lamp of mustard oil (सरसों तेल का दीपक) and black sesame (काला तिल) under the Shami Tree. The person with "Sadhe-Sati"(साढ़े साती) and "Dhaiya"(ढैया) of "Shani" is benefited with daily or at least on Saturdays worship under the Shami tree.
{Puja items are available online}
The bad effects of Shani God are also kept away by worshiping Shiva and his avatar Hanuman because for Shani, God Shiva is his Guru. If Shiva is pleased by the worship of a person, he will not be affected by Shani. Hanuman worship is also fruitful for this purpose because Shani himself had vowed to Hanuman that whoever worships Hanuman that person will not be affected by the bad eyes of Shani. That is why Hanuman worship on Saturdays are so popular. Both of these Gods, Shiva and Hanuman are worshiped by offering "Shami leaves (शमी पत्र)" for this purpose.
The "shloka" that should be spoken while offering "Shami leaves (शमी पत्र)" to gods is as follows,
अमंगलानाम् शमनीम् शमनीम् दुष्कृतानाम् च।
दुःस्वप्न-नाशिनीं धन्यां प्रपद्येSहं शमीं शुभाम्।।
The wood of the Shami tree is also used in "Havan"(हवन). "Samidha" (समिधा) are the woods used in "Havan"(हवन). Nine different kinds of wood are used in "Havan"(हवन) to keep away the ill-effects of nine planets. One of these nine kinds of wood (नवग्रह लकड़ी) is the wood of the Shami tree. It is offered in the fire of "Havan-Kund" (हवन कुण्ड) to suppress the bad effects of Saturn planet (शनि ग्रह).
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| Flowers of 'Shami' "शमी पुष्प" |
The tree of Shami is full of dangerous hard thorns like the Babool tree. So when fetching its leaves or woods, one should be very careful otherwise it may pierce the skin. It is a shrub that flowers in the rainy season. Small flowers have two different colors. Half of the flower towards the tip is yellow while on the back it is either pink or white. So on the same tree, you may find two types of flowers, yellow-pink or yellow-white.
So, be benefited by offering Shami leaves to above Gods. The story behind the holiness of Shami leaves may be seen in my blog "Aadhyatma" by clicking here.
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