Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, is one of the major Indian festivals. Many important events occurred on this day, and most of them marked the victory of good over evil.
On this day, Goddess Durga killed the buffalo-headed demon Mahishasura, and Lord Rama defeated the 10-headed demon, Ravana. Dussehra also marked the end of the Pandavas’ exile in the Mahabharata. These are just a few of the many auspicious events that occurred on Vijayadashami.
People in different parts of India celebrate Vijayadashami in different ways. A striking thing about these celebrations is the fact that some plants or trees have a significant role to play in the festival. Such plants include the Apta tree, Shami tree, the Marigold plant, and the Barley plant.
This article examines the significance of the Apta tree in the Dussehra or Vijayadashami celebrations.
Gifting of Sonpatta leaves
In Maharashtra, Hindus gift Apta leaves which signify gold, during the festival. The Apta tree is also called Bidi leaf tree. Its scientific name is Bauhinia racemosa. People gift the Apta tree leaves and offer them to the elders in the family during Dussehra celebrations. It’s also the custom to exchange the leaves which are called “sona” or gold. The Apta tree leaves are called “Sonpatta” or gold leaves. They represent gold, peace, prosperity, and good health.
But how did this tradition start?
One legend says that Maratha soldiers who were victorious in battle would bring back gold and other spoils of war. They would place them before God or gift them to loved ones. To remember this tradition, people began to exchange Apta leaves which became symbols of the gold that the warriors distributed.
According to tradition, one should offer 4-5 leaves to God first and then give them to the elders in the family.
One can also give Apta tree leaves to friends and neighbors and wish them a happy Dussehra. The Apta tree has distinctive twin leaves, which have a rough texture. In Maharashtra, people pluck the leaves from the tree and exchange them. Or, they are plundered from each other in a symbolic act.
Medicinal uses of the Apta tree:
∙ Fresh paste of the bark can cure swellings.
∙ The bark extract can cure indigestion.
∙ The paste made from its leaves can cure headaches when applied to the forehead.
∙ Apta tree flowers can cure cough. Fresh flower buds are used for this.
∙ A drink made with dried Apta leaves can cure diarrhea, internal bleeding, and hemorrhages.
Names in Indian Languages
∙ Hindi: kathmauli / jhinjheri
∙ Marathi: apta, sona,
∙ Malayalam: kotapuli arampali, kutabuli, malayaththi
∙ Bengali: banraji
∙ Tamil: arikka / arai / atti
∙ Kannada: Aapta / aralukadumandara
∙ Urdu: Gul-e-anehnal
∙ Telugu: tella arecettu
Legends behind the distribution of Apta leaves
Once, a young man by the name of Kautsa lived in Ayodhya. After completing his education under his Guru, Varatantu, he requested his Guru to accept Guru Dakshina. This is a gift that students offer to the Guru when they complete their studies.
Varatantu said that he did not want any Dakshina, but Kautsa continued to insist. Finally, Varatantu asked him for 14 crores (140 million) gold coins, thinking it would get rid of him. Kautsa was to pay him one hundred million for each subject the Guru had taught.
Kautsa approached Lord Rama, who was the ruler of Ayodhya, and asked him for the gold coins he needed to pay the Guru Dakshina. Rama told him to wait near the Shanu and Apta trees in his village. After 3 days, Rama, with the help of Lord Kubera, the divine treasurer, turned the leaves of the Shanu and Apta Trees into gold coins. Kautsa gathered the gold coins and gave 140 million gold coins to his Guru. He also gave away the rest to the needy people in Ayodhya. This supposedly occurred on the day of Dussehra. So, people collect leaves of the Apta tree and present them as 'sona' or gold to commemorate this incident.
Another story says that after Raghu, who was Lord Rama’s ancestor and a generous man, had donated all his wealth to poor people, a young boy came to him, seeking alms. But he had given everything away by then and had nothing to offer the boy. The story goes that he fought Lord Kubera and made gold rain down on earth. Some gold coins fell on the apta tree, and Raghu gave them to the boy.
Dussehra is ‘Vijay Parv’ or a day of victory. The tradition of offering Apta leaves as gold is an expression of joy and respect. The Vijay mahurat on Dussehra is very auspicious and associated with wish-fulfillment. Offering the leaf is akin to wishing someone prosperity and happiness.
The correct method is to offer 4 or 5 leaves first to God and then to elders. The son-in-law should offer it to his mother-in-law, and she has to give him a coconut in return. This custom is also a throwback to the ancient tradition of simolanghan or crossing on the boundary. In the ancient days, kings would worship the Goddess by performing rigorous penance and rituals during Navratras to gain strength and divine blessings. On the day of Dussehra, these kings would cross the boundary of their kingdom to invade other kingdoms. But ordinary people crossed the boundary of their village to collect the Apta tree leaves and offer them to God and elders.
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