Coconut is the most common offerings
in a puja and temple. In Hindu Religion, coconut is considered as a fruit which
is break in every auspicious days like wedding, festivals, when one buy a new
vehicle or in a grihaparvesh, when one
buys house and in many other pujas. But do you know why it is performed? What
is the symbolism of a coconut in a puja? Why one break it before the Deity or God? You
might be trying to find out the answers of these questions. Today, I will
reveal the reasons that why coconut occupying an important place in Hinduism.
The Sanskrit word for coconut is
‘Sriphala’ and is used to symbolize the almighty. It is believed that the use of
coconut in puja is offers in order to save human beings from getting
slaughtered. The coconut is broken and offered to the deity being adored and
then distributed as parashad to all the devotees present there. If you
meticulously notice that the coconut resembles the human head quite closely.
While the coir (outer surface of coconut) is symbolizes human hair, the hard
nut resembles the skull, the water inside the shell represents the blood and
the kernel is considered as mental space.
It has an important place both in religious and spiritual life.
It is also believed that the coconut
represents as an ego of a person. You cannot offer prayer to the gods when your
ego is very strong. This is exactly why a person breaks a coconut before
adoring their deity. It simply means that he/she surrenders his ego to the deities
before they begin their prayer. The coconut is the only fruit that is looks
like a human head. The water inside it is considered to be the desire and
vasana. According to the traditions, one cannot pray to the deity with the
desires and ego in all your heart and mind. The coconut that is broken in
temples is distributed among the devotees as parashad as the coconut represents
the head of a man. When it touches the God it purifies. And then is taken as
parashad that purifies the mind of the person. It is also offered to the sea on
Purnima to seek blessing of the lords.
If you ever noticed that the coconut
you see, it has three marks on one side. These marks are considered to be the
three eyes of Lord Shiva. This is why the coconut is used in all the prayers.
It is said that coconut can help to fulfill all your desires. You may have seen
that it is places on a pot before puja is performed. This is done as some
believed that the three marks on it is a symbol of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh.
And no puja will be considered without the adoration of these three Gods the
supreme power.
Coconut is a symbol of selfless
service to the almighty. Each and every part of coconut is of use to mankind.
Its tree does not require any effort it can grow all on its own. The leaves are
used for thatching and covering enclosures, the Kernel is a healthy food,
coconut water is very good for health too, it has an excellent re-hydration
properties. It is used in Ayurveda, carvings, soap, oil etc. A symbol of vitality, fertility and prosperity, the coconut has
much to offer in a traditional environment.