Shami Tree: Benefits and Astrological Importance of Shami Tree During Dussehra Festival

Shami Tree: India has a history of nature worship. Worship of rivers and trees has special importance here. Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati are revered here, while botanical deities like Peepal, Banyan and Tulsi also receive special respect. 

In the same sequence, it has been the tradition of Sanatan Dharma that Shami tree is worshipped on the day of Dussehra. Its leaves are exchanged as a symbol of gold coins. You can also get special benefits by worshipping the Shami tree, because this tree is also considered very sacred from the point of view of Vastu.

Let us know in detail about the mythological importance of the Shami Tree and its worship method.

What is Shami tree? (How to identify Shami Tree)

It is a little difficult to identify the Shami tree, because its plant looks like other trees like Gulmohar, Khair, Kikar and Chuimui. The biggest identity of the Shami plant is that it has leaves even at the place where branches come out from the stem and only yellow flowers bloom on it. Shami is also known as Khejari and Veertaru in folk languages.

History of Shami Tree

Shami tree is mentioned in both the great scriptures of Sanatan Dharma. According to Ramayana, Lord Rama worshipped Shami before fighting with Ravana and in Mahabharata, before going into exile, Pandavas hide their weapons in Prosopis Cineraria. Another mythological story is popular behind giving importance to original shami tree-

Kauts Rishi was the disciple of Maharishi Vartantu. Maharishi Vartantu raised him and also gave him education. After completing the education, when Kauts Rishi asked Maharishi Vartantu about Guru Dakshina, he demanded fourteen thousand gold coins in exchange for fourteen knowledge. 

Kauts Rishi got confused, he decided to seek help from the then King of Ayodhya, King Raghu. King Raghu was very popular for his generosity, but he had donated most of his wealth in a yagna just before the arrival of Kautsa Rishi, as a result, his treasury was empty.

King Raghu did not want to disappoint Kautsa Rishi so he said that we should attack heaven and bring Indra’s treasure, which will replenish our treasury. When Indra heard this, he ordered his treasurer Kuber to rain gold in King Raghu’s kingdom.

Kuber ji rained gold coins through the Shami tree (Shami ka ped) in King Raghu’s kingdom the very next day, which replenished his treasury. In this way he was able to help Kautsa Rishi pay Gurudakshina. The day when the gold coins rained was Ashwin Shukla Dashami, which later came to be celebrated as Vijayadashami. That is why the Prosopis Cineraria is worshipped on the day of Vijayadashami (Dussehra).

How to worship the Shami Tree on Dussehra? (Shami Tree Puja Vidhi)

On the day of Dussehra, during Pradosh Kaal, water the Shami tree with Gangajal and keep a weapon under it. Offer incense, lamp, flowers and naivedya to the Shami tree. Now chant this mantra with folded hands-

“Shami shamyate papam Shami shatruvinashini.

Arjunasya dhanurdhari Ramasya priyadarshini.

Karishyamanayatraya yathakalam sukham maya.

Tatra Nirvighna Kar Tritvam bhava Shriram Pujita.”

Importance of Shami Tree

The importance of Prosopis Cineraria is not limited to Dussehra festival only, it is also considered very useful in Vastu and Shani Dosh Nivaran. To keep negativity away from the house, you should plant a Shami plant in the south direction of the house. Shami tree should be worshipped every Saturday and a mustard oil lamp should be lit under it. By doing this you will always stay away from troubles and your financial condition will continuously improve.

In this blog you learned why the Prosopis Cineraria is worshipped on Dussehra and what are the mythological beliefs behind it. Prosopis Cineraria is the revered tree of Lord Rama and through it one also gets the blessings of Shanidev, so before this Dussehra, you can plant this holy tree in your house and get spiritual benefits from it.