1870.] The Vdslu Ydgtn 227 



In the month of Chaitra on the thirteenth lunar day, the Mada- 

 notsava is celebrated and the Asoka tree is worshipped. 



But the most important instance of tree worship is the Durga- 

 puja. Although the festival is^ a rejoicing at the promising crops 

 in the field, and although it may be traced to the solar myth and 

 Usha or dawn worship, it is undoubtedly one of the most extensive 

 festivals of tree-worship. 



Along with the goddess Durga, the Nava patrici or the nine 

 leaves are worshipped. The nine are 



On the morning of the first day of the puja, nine branches with 

 leaves are tied together with a plant of "^TOferrrr, ( Clitoria ternata, 



alba) and* a twig of the fa^{ bearing a pair of fruits with suitable 



*— __ 



* The following mantras are repeated before cutting the twig. 



^W^Tf% i^T 31^ ^T ^3T T^^q<T: II 

 ^f f^^^HttJT ^T *f ^^TfsT^ | 

 35E^t*?T tHi W3T^ ^qoff 3\TT^ II 

 WsTT^^Tl^ ^:*sf ^ ^ 3»r§' vWl 5WF J 

 ^TO^faT fp^T^f ^T ^feff^jfff: II 



ftalf^flf r^Tlf f^WSW ^TOT^T ^ !l 



*T^T: ^fao^: *^T fait STS^ ^ II 



Sriphala tree, you are born on the mountain Mandar, Meru Kailasa and at 

 the top of the Himavat, you are always a favourite of Ainbica. Born on the 

 top of the Sri hill Sriphala ! You are the resting-place of prosperity, I take 

 you away to worship you as Durga herself. 



Om Vilva tree, most prosperous, always a favourite of Sankara, I worship 

 the devi, having taken away your branch. O Lord, you must not mind the 

 pain generated by the separation of your branch, for it is said the gods have 

 worshipped Durga, having taken away your branch, I bow to the Vilva tree 

 I born on the Himalaya mountain, favourite of Parvati and embraced by Siva. 

 You are auspicious in action and a favourite of Bhagavati ; for the sake of Bha- 

 vani's words, give me all success, 



