WHY ARE BANYAN (BARGAD) AND PEEPAL TREE SO IMPORTANT FOR COUNTRIES LIKE INDIA? WHY ARE THEY WORSHIPED HERE AND UPROOTING THEM IS CONSIDERED A SIN?

Ayurveda is not just about consuming herbs orally, it is also about consuming the qualities of the herbs through the air that we breath in and also through the skin (as skin is the largest organ of the body which we tend to forget). In fact, many may not be aware that Ayurveda employs pushing herbs even through rectum/anus by using enemas. We also must understand that warm or cold spices during winters or summers (respectively) can provide warmth or coldness to our body from inside to outside only however since our skin is the first organ that faces weather, we must also provide warmth or coldness to it as per weather conditions. That is why warm oil full body massages during extreme winters are nourishing and calming as they push nutrition and warmth through skin in our body. Similarly full body mud packs are excellent during hot summers (even though our conditioned minds may find them primitive).

Likewise Banyan (Bargad) tree is extremely cold in nature due to its astringent, bitter and cold properties. The tree not only provides loads of oxygen and shade to the people around but also pushes its astringent, cold, bitter and heavy qualities at subtle level (due to their vicinity) which are exactly opposite of summer season (as summers create sour, hot, pungent and lightness in the body). Thus banyan tree balances the qualities of summer season or say it pacifies excess heat i.e. Pitta in the body. Ayurveda also uses banyan tree bark and other parts for settling inflammatory diseases arising due to excess heat in the body like burning, piles, acidity etc. That is why it was worshiped on full moon during the peak of summers in India (called as Vat Poornima). Quite similar are the properties of Pipal (Ficus religiosa) tree too. Taking their rounds during the act of worshiping them, would help the native by absorbing more of their nutrients at subtle level.

This also implies that countries which are closer to equator and are primarily hotter in climate, should have different set of trees vis-a-vis the colder countries. That is why Pipal and Bargad are extremely important for Indian conditions and they can help in reducing excess heat waves that the country is experiencing. Unfortunately globalization too place without understanding the principles of Ayurveda. That is why when Britishers and Mughals invaded India, they introduced their ways, foods and lifestyle (which were fit for colder climates and not India) thereby weakening the fabric of India and other colonies (Tea and tomato consumption during summers is another example that has hollowed the health of Indians). That is why the previous generations in India were absolutely healthy and comfortable even without air conditioners and coolers during summers because they knew how to manage different weather conditions by right foods and lifestyle. They knew the difference in between winter and summer vegetable/grains and drinks. In simple words, they were following Ayurveda at sub conscious level. All in all, it is high time that we understand the importance of Ayurveda and begin reading its principles else soon luxuries like like Air conditioners etc will become ineffective due go global warming.

PS: This also explains that why uprooting Peepal and Bargad in India was considered a sin as per Vedic culture whose effects as per Astrology will be felt in coming generations even. On the other hand, sowing and growing them is considered as a Punya (good deed/karma) which is also the reason that their presence in vicinity is considered good from Vastu viewpoint too.

Secondly, homogenization/globalization (whether at family level or society/state/nation or global level) should be scientific while keeping in mind the basic of principles of Ayurveda and other Vedic sciences else it is bound to create chaos