We are currently observing the month of Amardad as per the Zoroastrian Shahanshahi calendar. Amardad (Avesta Ameretat) represents Ahura Mazda’s quality of eternity.  Amardad is also the seventh Amesha Spenta (Bounteous Immortal) presiding over vegetation. The Hamkara or co-workers of Amardad are Rashe, Ashtad and Zamyad. Rashne (Avesta Rashnu) is invoked as Raast or truthful, and along with Ashtad (Avesta Arshtat), who also presides over truth, judges the soul on the fourth day after death. Zamyad (Avesta Zemo) presides over the earth and mountains as also the Kayan Khoreh which spiritually empowered kings of ancient Zoroastrian Iran to rule righteously.

In ‘Homage unto Plants’ we pray: “Nemo urvarayao vanghuyao Mazda-dhatayao ashaonyao,” meaning “Homage (be) unto the good (and) holy plants created by Hormazd.”

Haoma

Haoma (Ephedra) is considered one of the most holy plants and used by Zoroastrian priests to this date for ritual purpose. Haoma has its origins in Indo-Iranian religion and is the similar to Vedic Soma. Various Avesta texts describe the plant Haoma as one with stems, roots and branches (Yasna 10.5), tall (Yasna 10.21 and Vendidad 19.19), fragrant (Yasna 10.4), golden-green in colour (Yasna 9.16), can be pressed or pounded (Yasna 9.1 and 9.2), grows on the mountains and spreads swiftly (Yasna 9.26 and 10.3-4). In the Yasna, Haoma is attributed to have many healing qualities, promote virility, stimulate alertness and awareness and considered nourishing for both body and soul.

Interestingly the plant Ephedra has a long history of medicinal use in China, Iran and India to treat colds, fever, headaches, congestion, coughing, wheezing, and other conditions.

Sacred Trees

In England, there are many sacred old trees. The individual spirits of trees were worshipped by the Druid priests of ancient Europe. Trees were regarded by these ancients as ‘residence of the earth spirit.’ They also believed that the earth spirit finds its receptacle / residence in springs, wells, rivers, rocks and caverns.

Trees have always had a place of honour in Indian mythology and folklore. From the little Tulsi to the giant Banyan, most trees used to be conserved with devotion and love, until unscrupulous contractors and timber thieves were given a free run of the country. The wood of the apple tree is believed to be the favourite of Shiva. Tribal people worship the Karam tree. Great men are often compared with the Banyan which gives shelter and shadow to the weary traveller.

The Upanishads say, ‘Sarvan khalu dam Brahma’ or ‘Everything existing in the Universe has God-consciousness.’ The Rig Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda seek the blessings of trees, especially the Bilva, Neem, Banyan, Arasu and Audambar. The tenth Canto of Narayaneenam, the first shloka says, ‘God created trees.’ Gautam Buddha gained Nirvana under the Bodhi tree. The Corinthians say, ‘Trees belong to the Lord in all their glory.’

At Alandi and Nerur in Maharashtra, it is believed that Sant Gnyaneshwar and Sadashiva Brahmendra bless devotees through trees. The sacred river Narmada has her origins at Amarkantak in the roots of a sacred tree. In Kalidasa’s ‘Abhigyan Shakuntalam’, Shakuntala says farewell to every tree in the Ashram before leaving for Dushyant’s palace.

Cypress

Iranian Zoroastrians consider a number of Cypress trees in Iran to be holy and worthy of reverence. For example, at Abr-koh near Yazd, in Iran, there is a 4,500 – 5,000-year-old Cypress tree while in the courtyard of the Atash Kadeh in the village of Cham (Yazd), there is another Cypress tree said to be about 1,500 years old. A number of legends are associated with this tree.

Pomegranate Tree

While all vegetation is worthy of homage, Zoroastrians consider the pomegranate tree very special. It’s referred to in the Avesta as Urvaram which means ‘The Tree’ or the tree that represents all sustenance providing vegetation on earth. Little wonder that the pomegranate tree is grown in the compound of virtually every Atash Behram and Agiary/Dar-e-Meher in India and Iran.

Because the pomegranate juice is blood red in colour, it’s considered life-giving and the many seeds within the fruit represent fertility and immortality. The pomegranate is used in various religious ceremonies and rituals and is an important adornment on the Navroze table and the Sagan-ni-ses. Generally, we thrust a silver coin half way into the fruit and consider it as a good luck charm for good health and prosperity. Not just the fruit, but even when going through the Nahan (ritual bath), one is required to chew the leaf of a pomegranate tree for purification.

In Iran, Zoroastrians also hang sun dried pomegranates at home for good luck and prosperity and on the longest night of the year (Shab-e-Yalda, which occurs around 21^st December), families drink pomegranate juice or eat the fruit through the night vigil. Ancient Zoroastrian texts prescribe that a few drops of the Haoma juice should be put in the mouth of a dying person. However, if Haoma juice is not available, pomegranate juice is next best substitute.

Keep earth green

In 1993, in his keynote address at Chicago’s World Religious Conference, the Dalai Lama warned, “Destroying trees is a dangerous game we are playing.” Article 51A(g) of the Indian Constitution envisages the fundamental duty of a citizen, “to protect and improve natural environment, especially trees.”

In Theosophy, it is believed that trees radiate universal life, light and love. The whole world is inter-connected and what pervades the entire Universe is ONE – a single Consciousness. Quantum physics also appears to support this theory!

They say, to remember someone is to ‘keep the memory green.’ Green is synonymous with plant and vegetation and plants and vegetation is presided over by Amardad, the spirit of perpetuity or eternity. What a happy coincidence!